The phrase at least divides the sentence into what should be on the left-hand side and what should be on the right-hand side of the inequality.
Inequality: x + 19≥ 8.2 Solution: x≥ - 10.8
Practice makes perfect
We are given a verbal expression and we want to write an inequality that it represents. Then, we will solve the inequality.
The sum of a number and19is at least 8.2
Let's start by defining a variable. We can name a number in the sentence as x.
The sum of xand19is at least8.2
Every inequality has an inequality symbol and values or expressions on either side of this symbol. In this exercise, we have the phrase at least, so we can identify that the inequality symbol should be ≥.
The sum ofxand19 ≥ 8.2
On the left-hand side, we have one key phrase: The sum of. These words tell us the operations that will be used in our inequality. The sum of indicates addition.
The sum of x and 19
x + 19
On the right-hand side, we have a constant. Putting these sides together, we have a complete inequality.
The sum of a number and 19 is at least 8.2.
x + 19 ≥ 8.2
Finally, we can solve the inequality. To do so, we will use the Subtraction Property of Inequality. This will eliminate the addition and isolate x.
