What are inequalities?

Inequalities compare two different values using 1 symbol. These are all of the symbols:

• > (greater than)

• < (less than)

• ≥ (greater than or equal to)

• ≤ (less than or equal to)

Inequalities that use variables can have multiple solutions, rather than just one.

How do you find inequalities?

You don't "solve" inequalities necessarily, but you simplify them if either side has more than one value. For example, in the inequality y+1>54, you can simplify the inequality to something easier to understand by performing reverse operations.

Let's try solving 2y+2>24.

First, subtract 2 from both sides.

2y+2-2>24-2

Then, divide two from both sides to isolate the y variable.

2/2y>22/2.

So our simplified inequality is:

y>11

This means that any value greater than 11 can be y.

However, when multiplying or dividing a negative number while simplifying an inequality, the inequality sign is swapped.