Understanding Inequalities
Think of inequalities as mathematical statements that compare two things that aren't equal. You'll use four main symbols: < (less than), > (greater than), ≤ (less than or equal to), and ≥ (greater than or equal to).
When drawing inequalities on a number line, remember this simple rule: open circles for strict inequalities (< or >) and closed circles when the number itself is included (≤ or ≥). This visual approach makes it much easier to see what values work.
Solving inequalities works exactly like solving equations - use inverse operations to isolate the variable. The key difference is that your answer will be a range rather than a single number. For example, if you get m ≥ -2, this means m can be any number from -2 upwards.
Quick Tip: When finding integer solutions, list all the whole numbers (including negatives and zero) that fit within your inequality range.