Exercise 4 Page 291

We can use an equation mat to solve the inequality $\text{-}6x\le \text{-}12.$ However, instead of an equals sign, we must write the inequality symbol $\le .$ Let's solve it step by step!

Step $1$

On the left-hand side of the inequality, we have $\text{-}6x.$ Therefore, we place $6$ negative $x\text{-}$tiles on one side of the mat. On the right-hand side we have $\text{-}12,$ so we place $12$ negative $1\text{-}$tiles on the other side.

Step $2$

We can eliminate the negative sign in the left-hand side by adding $6$ positive $x\text{-}$tiles to each side. Let's do it!