5. Solve Inequalities Using Multiplication or Division
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What can you do to isolate a variable in an inequality?
Solution:See solution
Graph:
Inequalities can be solved in the same way as equations, by performing inverse operations on both sides until the variable is isolated. The only difference is that when we divide or multiply by a negative number, we must reverse the inequality sign.
Divide by - 7 and flip inequality sign
Put minus sign in front of fraction
Calculate quotient
The above tells us that all values of x that are less than - 8 will satisfy the inequality. Below we demonstrate the inequality by graphing the solution set on a number line. Notice that x can not equal - 8, which we show with an open circle on the number line.