Writing & Graphing Ineqalities
Chapter 4 Lesson 1
There are four different inequality symbols:
To graph an inequality
- Make sure your variable is on the left hand side of the inequality, if it is not flip the variable and number as well as your inequality sign
- Make a number line
- Place the number from your inequality in the center
- If your inequality is greater than or equal to/less than or equal to a closed circle should be placed on the number that corresponds to your inequality
- If your inequality is less than or greater than an open circle should be placed on the number that corresponds to your inequality
- Shade (draw an arrow) in the direction that your inequality sign faces. *Remember: less is to the left!*
To write an Inequality based on a graph
- Look at the number your circle is on, this will be the number in your inequality
- Decide on a variable
- Look at whether or not your circle is open or closed, if it is open the inequality sign is greater than or less than
- If your circle is closed it is greater than or equal to/less than or equal to
- To determine if it is greater than or less than look at the way your arrow is pointed, if towards the numbers that are larger it will be greater. If towards the smaller numbers it will be less.
Example of plotting a simple inequality on a number line | Pre-Algebra | Khan Academy