Introduction to Inequalities (Part A)
Student Summary
An inequality line is a green ray on a number line with an open circle at one end and an arrow pointing either left (less than) or right (greater than). The open circle marks the boundary, and every point on the shaded ray is a value that makes the inequality true.
Inequalities can also be written as sentences using > (greater than) and < (less than). For example, if a is a traveler's age and the rule is "you have to be at least 16," the inequality is a>16.
A solution to an inequality is any value that makes it true. For example, 10 is a solution to n>4 because 10>4 is a true statement. Inequalities usually have many (often infinitely many) solutions.
Visual / Anchor Chart
Standards
6.NS.7.a
Understand ordering and absolute value of rational numbers.
6.EE.5
Understand solving an equation or inequality as a process of answering a question: which values from a specified set, if any, make the equation or inequality true? Use substitution to determine whether a given number in a specified set makes an equation or inequality true.
6.EE.8
Write an inequality of the form x > c, x ≥ c, x ≤ c, or x < c to represent a constraint or condition in a real-world or mathematical problem. Recognize that inequalities of these forms have infinitely many solutions; represent solutions of such inequalities on a number line.