Unit 3: Solving Inequalities

(Blank copies of Notes are available in the Unit Resources Folder)

Unit Notes:
● U3-L1 Understanding Inequalities – pages 1-5 (Practice Sheet 1-2)
● U3-L1 Extension: Problem-Solving – pages 7-10 (Practice Sheet 3-4)
● U3-L2 One and Two-Step Inequalities
o Part 1 pages 11-13 (Practice Sheet 5)
o Part 2 pages 14-16 (Practice Sheets 6)
● U3-L2 Extension: Problem-Solving-pp. 16a-16d (Practice pp.6a-6b)
● U3-L3 Multi-step Inequalities
o Part 1 pages 17-19 (Practice Sheet 7)
o Part 2 (VBS) pages 20-23 (Practice Sheets 8-9)
● U3-L4a Compound Inequalities “OR” – pages 25-31 (Practice Sheet
10 #s 1,3,5 6 only)
● U3-L4b Compound Inequalities “AND” – pages 33-38 (Practice Sheet
10-11 FINISH ALL)
● U3-L5a Absolute Value Inequalities
o Part 1 pages 39-43 (Practice Sheet 12)
o Part 2 pages 44-47 (Practice Sheet 13)
● U3-L5b Two-step Absolute Value Inequalities – pages 49 – 54
(Practice Sheet 14)
 Unit 3- Lesson 1: Understanding Inequalities
Text: 10-1

Numbers get smaller Numbers get larger

← →

Look at the inequalities and the number lines that represent each. What patterns do you see?

Based on the patterns from the slides, what are the rules for representing inequalities on a
number line?
● Open circle (does NOT include the target #)
● Closed circle (DOES include the target #)

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HELPFUL TIP!! When an inequality is written with the variable on the right - it is helpful to rotate
the whole inequality - notice that the sign flips also!

If you do this, the inequality sign will point you in the direction to shade!!

Example 2: for the inequality -2>x….rotate and rewrite x < -2… then graph!

Graph to show all the solutions of an inequality.

Ex. 1 Graph the inequalities over the given domain.

A) x<3

Name at least 3 solutions to this inequality Identify a number that is NOT a solution

B) m > -2

Name at least 3 solutions to this inequality Identify a number that is NOT a solution

C) -3 > a ROTATE AND REWRITE!

Name at least 3 solutions to this inequality Identify a number that is NOT a solution

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Ex. 2 State if the inequality x < 7 is true or false if x: {-1, 2
, 9 }.

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Ex. 3 Determine if the following are solutions to the inequality if x: {-4, 3}
2 - 5x > 13

Classify each statement as true or false. Remember that when you simplify absolute value - the final
number inside the "fence posts" becomes positive!

1. |− 3| > 3 2. |− 25| <− 10

|− 1 |≥ 0
3. | 2 | 4. 6>0 >2

Determine whether each of the following are solutions to the inequalities below
when x: {-2, 0, 2}.

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5. 5−𝑥≤4 6. 𝑥 ≥3

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Unit 3: Lesson 1 Extension: Verbal Translations with Inequalities
Text 10-3

Turning WORDS into the correct inequality sign…

At Least 10 (THINK about what #s work...)is "1" at least 10?

● is "10" at least 10?

● is "12" at least 12? sooooooooooooo... x > 10

Less than 5 (THINK about what #s work....)is "1" less than 5?

● is "5" less than 5?

● is "7" less than 5? soooooooooooooo .... x < 5

No less than 2 More than 8

No more than 9 At most 15

Writing Basic Inequalities

The age of the tree is at least 70 years _____________________________

The rent is no less than $400 per month __________________________

The price I am willing to spend is no more than $45 __________________

The swing will hold no more than 125 pounds _______________________

Her goal for the 10K race was at most 40 minutes ____________________

He plans to exceed his average of 88 on the test _____________________

She wants to collect more than 110 cans _____________________________

The minimum deposit will be $50 ___________________________________

The maximum weight for the elevator is 2000 pounds __________________

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Verbal Translations with Inequalities

1. The pool has a leak. In order for it to be safe for swimmers, it must have at least 60,000 gallons of
water. Write an inequality to describe this situation.
Let g = # of gallons

2. Martha wants to rent a car for a week, and does not want to exceed her budget of $130. Define a
variable and write an inequality to describe this situation.

3. Jordan is a wrestler. In order to keep his weight at or below 145 pounds, he must eat a
maximum than 1,000 calories per day. Define a variable and write an inequality to describe this
situation.

4. Jan is trying to be a top contributor to the American Heart Association. She needs to collect at
least $75 to achieve this goal. Define a variable and write an inequality to describe this situation.

5. Dad sets the thermostat so that the heat will kick on if the temperature dips below 68 degrees
in the house. Define a variable and write an inequality to describe this situation.

6. To remain a member in good standing at the club, Pam must spend at least $25. Define a
variable and write an inequality to describe this situation.

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7. Sam wants to join the golf team. To be eligible she must score at most an 80 on a round of
golf. Define a variable and write an inequality to describe this situation.

8. In order to plant a tree, you must dig a hole that is no less than 18 inches wide. Define a
variable and write an inequality statement to describe this situation.

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 Unit 3 - Lesson 2: One and Two-Step Inequalities
Text: 10-2

Solving Inequalities:
Think of solving inequalities just like equations...EXCEPT there are two things you have to watch out for...

● If your final inequality statement ends with the variable on the left - ROTATE and REWRITE... this will
be a BIG help when you are graphing EX: 6 > x becomes x < 6
● If (and this is a BIGGIE), at the last step you have to multiply or divide by a negative, you MUST FLIP
THE INEQUALITY SIGN!

Solve, check and graph the solution.

Remember to
● Rotate and rewrite the inequality statement after solving so the variable is on the left if needed!*
● FLIP THE INEQUALITY SIGN if you multiply or divide by a negative in the last step!!**

Ex. 1 𝑥 − 3 < 5 Ex. 2* 12 < 𝑥 − 5

𝑥 2
Ex. 3 2
<− 1 Ex. 4** - 3 𝑛 <− 2

𝑥
Ex. 5* 2> 3
− 1 Ex. 6 7𝑥 − 18 > 3

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 𝑥−3 𝑥−7
Ex. 7 5
< 6 Ex. 8 2
≥ 9

CLASSWORK: Solve, check, and graph the solution.

Remember to
● Rotate and rewrite the inequality statement after solving so the variable is on the left if needed!*
● FLIP THE INEQUALITY SIGN if you multiply or divide by a negative in the last step!!**

𝑦
1. 𝑛 − 4 > 11 2. 2
> 4

𝑥
3. 36 < −9
4. − 6𝑚 ≥ 6

3
5. 𝑥 − 4 ≥− 6 6. 2
𝑡− 7<2

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 2 3
7. − 1< 9+ 3
𝑔 8. 12 − 2
𝑐> 0

2𝑥−3
9. 5
<− 3 10. − 5𝑥 − 4 < 6

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 Unit 3- Lesson 2 Extension: Problem-Solving with Inequalities

Text 10-3

● Step 1: Let Statement - Represent the variables.

● Step 2: Write an inequality. (Make a verbal model first if that helps you.).
● Step 3: Solve the inequality.
● Step 4: Pick a solution to check to see if it "fits" the problem. Then tell the meaning of the
answer

Example 1: The pool has a leak. It starts at 800 gallons of water and is leaking 10 gallons per
minute. How many minutes, m, will it take for the pool to have no more than 400 gallons of water?

Let m = the number of minutes

Equation: Think! What does the pool start with? If it is leaking, am I going to add or subtract? What
inequality sign represents “no more than”? Write an inequality to represent this?

800 − 10𝑚 ≤ 400

Solve:

Tell the meaning of the answer:

2. Martha wants to rent a car for a week, and does not want to exceed her budget of $130. How
far can she drive if the car rental costs $94 a week plus $.12 per mile.

Let

Equation (think - what is the starting point… do I need to add or subtract…what inequality sign
represents “does not want to exceed”)

Solve:

Answer the question:

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3. Jordan's salary is $1250 per month and he receives an additional $50 for each sale he makes.
How many sales must he make to earn at least $1500 each month?

Let

Equation

Solve

Meaning:

4. Jan is trying to be top contributor to the American Heart Association collection. She needs to
collect at least $75.00 to achieve this goal. If her mother will give her $20 and she asks for $4.00 from
each of her relatives, how many relatives must contribute for Jan to reach her goal?

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 Unit 3 - Lesson 3: Multi-step Inequalities
Text: 10-2

Just like with equations, Inequalities can be multi-step. A few rules will help you keep things straight:

● Just like with equations, simplify each side, until you have a 2-step inequality - REMEMBER, that
you should distribute FIRST and then check to see if you need to combine like terms on one or both
sides of the inequality
● Just like with 2-step, you may have to rewrite the inequality at the end to get the variable on the left side.
● Just like with 2-step, you may have to rotate and rewrite the inequality at the end to get the variable on
the left side of the equation

Solve, check and graph the solution.

1. 2(𝑥 − 3) <− 8 2. 14 ≥ 2((3𝑥 + 1)

3. 4(2𝑥 + 2) ≤− 8 4. − 4 >− 2(3𝑥 − 1)

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5. 4𝑥 − 2(𝑥 − 3) < −8 6. 14 > 6 − 2(𝑥 + 1)

7. 4𝑥 − 2(3𝑥 − 1) < −8 −2 8. 10 − 4 > 6 + 2(𝑥 + 1) − 𝑥

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PART 2: SOLVING Multi-step INEQUALITIES with VARIABLES ON BOTH SIDES

Just like with equations, Inequalities can be multi-step and can have VARIABLES ON BOTH SIDES
(yahoo!). A few rules will help you keep things straight:

● After you simplify each side,move the variable term to the left (unless there is only a constant on the
left) and now you should have a 2-step inequality - continue solving
● SOMETIMES, the variable term cancels (YIKES!). In this case, you will be looking at 2 possibilities -
1. if the inequality statement is true (EX. 8>2)- then any number you try will work and the solution is ALL
REAL NUMBERS!
2. if the inequality statement is false (EX. 5<-2)- then no number you try will work and the solution is NO
SOLUTION!

1. 3𝑥 + 4 > 4𝑥 + 2 2. − 2 (𝑥 − 4) < − 2 (2𝑥 − 4)

3. − 3 (𝑦 + 5) > 6 (𝑦 − 1 ) 4. 5𝑥 − 3 < 2(𝑥 − 3)

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PRACTICE: Solve, check, and graph the solution.

5. 2𝑦 + 6 > 2 (𝑦 + 3) 6. 𝑦 + 5 < 7𝑦 − 6 (𝑦 − 2)

7. 2 (𝑤 − 8) + 9 > 3 (4 − 𝑤) − 4 8. − 2 (𝑤 + 6 ) < − 3𝑤

PRACTICE: Solve, check, and graph the solution.

1. 2 (𝑥 − 4) < 6 2. − 5 (𝑥 + 3) < − 5𝑥 + 1

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PRACTICE: Solve, check, and graph the solution.

3. 5 (1 − 𝑡) > 4 (3 − 𝑡) 4. − 2𝑥 + 3 > 𝑥

5. 5 (𝑥 − 1) > 6𝑥 6. 3(𝑥 + 4) < 3𝑥 − 10

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 Unit 3 - Lesson 4a: Compound Inequalities - "OR"
Text 10-4

There are two types of compound inequalities... "AND" and "OR"

● OR inequalities include any solution that works in either inequality; typically OR inequality graphs
shoot off in opposite directions (but not always!)
● you may see OR inequalities written two ways, BUT the example on the left is most common

𝑥 < 3 𝑂𝑅 𝑥 ≥ 6 3>𝑥≥6

Solve, check and graph the solution. Simply, solve each inequality and graph on the same graph!

1. 2𝑤 − 1 < 3 𝑜𝑟 3𝑤 > 𝑤 + 10

2. 4𝑣 + 3 < − 5 𝑜𝑟 − 2𝑣 + 7 < 1

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3. − 2𝑥 + 7 > 3 𝑜𝑟 3𝑥 − 4 > 5

4. − 4𝑟 > − 8 𝑜𝑟 6𝑟 + 2 ≥ 8

CLASSWORK: Solve, check, and graph the solution.

1. 3𝑏 − 1 < − 7 𝑜𝑟 4𝑏 + 1 > 9

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2. 4 + 𝑘 > 3 𝑜𝑟 6𝑘 < − 39

3. 3𝑐 + 4 > 13 𝑜𝑟 6𝑐 − 1 < 11

4. − 6𝑚 > 12 𝑜𝑟 9 + 3𝑚 ≥ 0

5. 7 − 3𝑐 > 1 𝑜𝑟 5𝑐 + 2 > 17

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6. 5𝑦 + 7 < − 3 𝑜𝑟 3𝑦 − 2 > 13

7. 2𝑑 + 5 < − 1 𝑜𝑟 − 2𝑑 + 5 < 5

8. 5𝑧 − 3 > 7 𝑜𝑟 4𝑧 − 6 < − 10

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 Unit - Lesson 4b: Compound Inequalites "AND"
Text 10-4

There are two types of compound inequalities... "AND" and "OR"

● AND inequalities include solutions that MUST work in BOTH inequalities ... typically the graph of an
AND inequality is represented where the solutions of each inequality overlap
● you will see AND inequalities written two ways

𝑥 ≥ 2 𝐴𝑁𝐷 𝑥 ≤ 4 2≤𝑥 ≤4

There are 2 strategies to solve COMPOUND AND inequalities

● Break it into two separate inequalities
● Treat it as an “AND Sandwich”

Example 1: − 3 < 𝑥 − 2 < 4

Separate Inequality Strategy -

AND Sandwich Strategy -

As you can see - both strategies will give you the same solution set!
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Let’s practice both ways again!

Example 2: − 3 < 2𝑥 − 1 < 7

Separate Inequalities - “AND” Sandwich -

Example 3 (You choose your favorite method!) 7 < − 3𝑥 + 1 < 13

4. 2 − 3𝑚 ≥ 8 𝐴𝑁𝐷 3𝑚 − 2𝑚 ≥ 7

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CLASSWORK: Solve, check, and graph the solution.

1. − 3 < 𝑥 + 2 < 7

2. 2 < 3𝑛 − 4 < 14

3. 4 − 2𝑥 ≥ 8 𝐴𝑁𝐷 2𝑥 − 4 ≥ 10

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4. 11 − 𝑦 ≤ 8 − 2𝑦 𝐴𝑁𝐷 3 − 2𝑦 ≥ −5

5. − 16 < − 3𝑥 + 8 < − 7

6. − 9 < − 2𝑥 − 1 < − 7

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 Unit 3 - Lesson 5a: One-Step Absolute Value Inequalities

REVIEW of ABSOLUTE VALUE EQUATIONS with Positive constants:

Steps:
1. WHEN the constant is positive, you will need to set up 2 equations DROPPING the absolute
value symbols - one will be equal to the positive value, one will be equal to the negative value.
2. Solve each equation.
3. Check each solution in the ORIGINAL Absolute Value equation.

EXAMPLE: Solve and check the solution set.

|y-2|=4

Absolute Value Inequalities: 4 Possibilities!

2 SIMPLE Scenarios

> 𝑜𝑟 ≥ any negative constant the solution is ALL REAL NUMBERS

because absolute value will always be ≥ 0

Example: |3𝑥 − 11| ≥− 2

< 0 the solution is NO SOLUTION

because absolute value can never be negative and therefore will always be ≥ 0

Example: |3𝑥 − 11| <− 2

Practice: At a GLANCE, you should be able to decide if these absolute value inequalities have
No Solution or All Real Numbers.

1. |3𝑥 − 4| ≥− 8 2. | 1 𝑥 − 4| <− 18
|2 |

3. |𝑥 − 3| < 0 4. |2𝑥 − 13| >− 5

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 Absolute Value Inequalities: 4 Possibilities!
2 SCENARIOS THAT require further examination.

The other 2 situations are trickier but do have rules to help you. Because we are dealing with
absolute value inequalities, we will need to set up compound equations.

< 𝑜𝑟 ≤ ANY positive constant treat like a COMPOUND “AND”

This is the pattern for < (think Less-THAND)

|2𝑥 − 6| < 2

> 𝑜𝑟 ≥ any positive constant treat like a COMPOUND “OR”

This is the pattern for > (think Great-OR)

|5𝑥 − 5| ≥ 10

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Solve, check and graph the solutions.

STEPS:
● identify whether the constant is positive or negative
● choose the correct strategy based on the inequality sign
● set up and solve a compound equation if needed
● 3. To check your solution, pick a solution that lies in the solution set and substitute it in the ORIGINAL
Absolute Value inequality to see if it is true!

EXAMPLE 2:

|𝑥 + 1| < 3

3. | 𝑡 − 3| > 2

Practice: At a GLANCE, you should be able to decide if these absolute value inequalities have the
pattern of "AND" (less-THAND) or "OR" (great-OR). Set up, solve and graph.

2. | 𝑥 − 2| > 1 3. | 𝑥 + 5| ≥ 3

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Practice: At a GLANCE, you should be able to decide if these absolute value inequalities have the
pattern of "AND" (less-THAND) or "OR" (great-OR). Set up, solve and graph.

4. | 𝑝 − 7| < 4

CLASSWORK: Solve, check, and graph the solution.

1. | 𝑛 − 1| ≤ 3 2. | 𝑛 − 2| > 3

3. | 𝑣 + 5| > 2 4. 4 ≤ |1 − 𝑥| ROTATE and REWRITE!

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5. − 3 > |2 − 𝑥| 6. 1 > |2 + 𝑚|

7. 8 ≤ |3 + 𝑤| 8. | 3 − 𝑥| >− 2

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 Unit 3 - Lesson 5b: Two-Step Absolute Value Inequalities

4 Scenarios!

2 SIMPLE Scenarios

● > 𝑜𝑟 ≥ any negative constant the solution is ALL REAL NUMBERS because absolute
value will always be ≥ 0

● < 0 the solution is NO SOLUTION because absolute value can never be negative and
therefore will always be ≥ 0

2 SCENARIOS THAT require further examination.

● < 𝑜𝑟 ≤ ANY positive constant treat like a COMPOUND “AND” This is the pattern for <
(think Less-THAND)

● > 𝑜𝑟 ≥ any positive constant treat like a COMPOUND “OR” This is the pattern for >
(think Great-OR)

REVIEW: |𝑥 + 3| < 8

NOW let’s try some with 2-steps - same rules apply!!!

1. |6𝑥 − 3| > 21

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2. |2𝑥 − 6| > 24

3. |5𝑥 − 15| ≤ 5

CLASSWORK: Solve, check, and graph the solution.

1. |3𝑑| ≥ 6

2. |4𝑛 − 12| > 8

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3. 9 < |𝑐 + 7|

4. |2𝑘 + 4| < 16

5. |𝑐 − 4| < 8

6. |6𝑘 + 15| < 27

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