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Symbols of Inequality

There are signs in mathematics that are used to express equations of inequality. An equation might dictate that that a given set of numbers is greater than another set. The sign which dictates this is expressed as “>”.

The following equation is indicating that 5 is greater than 3:

5 > 3

The following equation is indicating that the unknown “n” is less than 7.

n < 7

When working with these equations you treat them as you would an equation with an equal sign to solve for the unknown.

n + 7 < 14

n + 7 – 7 < 14 – 7

n < 7

The unknown quantity “n” is less than 7.

Practice Exercise:

Answer the following questions by solving for “n” or answering the questions.

1) n +7*3 < 65

2) 7 – 4 + n > 31

3) 15/3 +n < 7*4

4) 8 + n > 44/11 + 63

5) 5 (5+n) < 100

6) 7 n + 42 > 23+76-1

7) 8 x 5 +6 < n – 3

8) Write an equation indicating 2 is greater than n

9) What does the following equation mean? n < 1

10) Write an equation indicating n is greater than 7

Answers:

1) n < 44

2) n > 28

3) n < 23

4) n > 59

5) n < 15

6) n > 8

7) 49 < n

8) 2 > n or n < 2

9) n is less than 1

10) n > 7 or 7 < n