1. SIMPLE INEQUALITIES

2. An inequality compares two quantities and typically uses one of these symbols:
<
is less than
is greater than  
is less than or equal to
is greater than or equal to

3. Additional Example 1: Completing an Inequality
Compare. Write < or >.
A. 23 –
>
B. 5(12)
<

4. An inequality that contains a variable is an algebraic inequality.
A number that makes an inequality true is a solution of the inequality.
The set of all solutions is called the solution set. The solution set can be shown by graphing it on a number line.

5. Word Phrase Sample Solutions
Inequality
Sample Solutions
Solution Set
x is less than 5
x < 5
x = 4
4 < 5
x = 2.1
2.1 < 5

6. Word Phrase Sample Solutions
Inequality
Sample Solutions
Solution Set
a is greater than 0
a is more than 0
a > 0
a = 7
7 > 0
a = 25
25 > 0
–3 –2 –

7. Word Phrase Sample Solutions
Inequality
Sample Solutions
Solution Set
y is less than or equal to 2
y is at most 2
y  2
y = 0
0  2
y = 1.5
1.5  2
–3 –2 –

8. Word Phrase Sample Solutions
Inequality
Sample Solutions
Solution Set
m is greater than or equal to 3
m is at least 3
m  3
m = 17
17  3
m = 3
3  3 –