1. An inequality is a statement that two quantities are not equal
An inequality is a statement that two quantities are not equal. The quantities are compared by using the following signs: ≤
A ≤ B
A is less
than or
equal to B.
<
A < B
than B.
>
A > B
A is greater ≥
A ≥ B ≠
A ≠ B
A is not
A solution of an inequality is any value of the variable that makes the inequality true.

3. Reading Math
“No more than” means “less than or equal to.”
“At least” means “greater than or equal to”.

4. Turn on the AC when temperature is at least 85°F
Example 4: Application
Ray’s dad told him not to turn on the air conditioner unless the temperature is at least 85°F. Define a variable and write an inequality for the temperatures at which Ray can turn on the air conditioner. Graph the solutions.
Let t represent the temperatures at which Ray can turn on the air conditioner.
Turn on the AC when temperature
is at least
85°F t ≥ 85
Draw a solid circle at 85. Shade all numbers greater than 85 and draw an arrow pointing to the right.
t  85 75 80 85 90 70

5. Solving one-step inequalities is much like solving one-step equations
Solving one-step inequalities is much like solving one-step equations. To solve an inequality, you need to isolate the variable using the properties of inequality and inverse operations.

6. Example 1A: Using Addition and Subtraction to Solve Inequalities
Solve the inequality and graph the solutions.
x + 12 < 20
x + 12 < 20
Since 12 is added to x, subtract 12 from both sides to undo the addition.
–12 –12
x + 0 < 8
x < 8
Draw an empty circle at 8.
–10 –8 –6 –4 –2 2 4 6 8 10
Shade all numbers less than 8 and draw an arrow pointing to the left.

7. Example 1C: Using Addition and Subtraction to Solve Inequalities
Solve the inequality and graph the solutions.
0.9 ≥ n – 0.3
0.9 ≥ n – 0.3
Since 0.3 is subtracted from n, add 0.3 to both sides to undo the subtraction.
1.2 ≥ n – 0
1.2 ≥ n 
1.2
Draw a solid circle at 1.2. 1 2
Shade all numbers less than 1.2 and draw an arrow pointing to the left.

8. Example 2: Problem-Solving Application
Sami has a gift card. She has already used $14 of the total value, which was $30. Write, solve, and graph an inequality to show how much more she can spend.
Understand the problem 1
The answer will be an inequality and a graph that show all the possible amounts of money that Sami can spend.
List important information:
• Sami can spend up to, or at most $30.
• Sami has already spent $14.

9. Example 1C: Multiplying or Dividing by a Positive Number
Solve the inequality and graph the solutions.
Since r is multiplied by , multiply both sides by the reciprocal of .
r < 16 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20

10. Solve the inequality and graph the solutions.
Check It Out! Example 1b
Solve the inequality and graph the solutions.
–50 ≥ 5q
Since q is multiplied by 5, divide both sides by 5.
–10 ≥ q 5 –5
–10
–15 15

11. Let p represent the number of tubes of paint that Jill can buy.
Example 3: Application
Jill has a $20 gift card to an art supply store where 4 oz tubes of paint are $4.30 each after tax. What are the possible numbers of tubes that Jill can buy?
Let p represent the number of tubes of paint that Jill can buy.
$4.30
times
number of tubes
is at most
$20.00.
4.30 • p ≤
20.00

12. Lesson Quiz
Solve each inequality and graph the solutions.
1. 8x < –24
x < –3
2. –5x ≥ 30
x ≤ –6 3.
x > 20 4.
x ≥ 6
5. A soccer coach plans to order more shirts for her team. Each shirt costs $9.85. She has $77 left in her uniform budget. What are the possible number of shirts she can buy?
0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 shirts