<img src="https://d5nxst8fruw4z.cloudfront.net/atrk.gif?account=iA1Pi1a8Dy00ym" style="display:none" height="1" width="1" alt="" />

# Multi-Step Inequalities

## Solve inequalities with fractions and distribution

0%
Progress
Practice Multi-Step Inequalities
Progress
0%
Solving Multi-Step Inequalities

Adding antifreeze to a car's cooling system can lower the freezing point of the water-based liquids that enable the vehicle to run. (It also raises the boiling point of these liquids.) You added enough antifreeze to lower the freezing point of the liquids to at most 35C\begin{align*}-35^\circ C\end{align*} (in Celsius). Write the inequality in Fahrenheit.

### Guidance

Like multi-step equations, multi-step inequalities can involve having variables on both sides, the Distributive Property, and combining like terms. Again, the only difference when solving inequalities is the sign must be flipped when multiplying or dividing by a negative number.

#### Example A

Is x=3\begin{align*}x = -3\end{align*} a solution to 2(3x5)x+10\begin{align*}2(3x-5) \le x+10\end{align*}?

Solution: Plug in -3 for x\begin{align*}x\end{align*} and see if the inequality is true.

2(3(3)5)2(95)21428(3)+10777

This is a true inequality statement. -3 is a solution.

#### Example B

Solve and graph the inequality from Example A.

Solution: First, distribute the 2 on the left side of the inequality.

2(3x5)6x10x+10x+10

Now, subtract the x\begin{align*}x\end{align*} on the right side to move it to the left side of the inequality. You can also add the 10’s together and solve.

6x10x+10x+10 x+105x5205  x4

Test a solution, x=0:2(3(0)5)0+10\begin{align*}x = 0: 2(3(0)-5) \le 0+10 \checkmark\end{align*}

1010\begin{align*}-10 \le 10\end{align*}

The graph looks like:

#### Example C

Solve 8x54x372x\begin{align*}8x-5-4x \ge 37-2x\end{align*}

Solution: First, combine like terms on the left side. Then, solve for x\begin{align*}x\end{align*}.

8x54x372x4x5372x+2x+5 +5+2x  6x6426 x7

Test a solution, x=10:8(10)54(10)372(10)\begin{align*}x = 10: 8(10)-5-4(10) \ge 37-2(10)\end{align*}

805403720\begin{align*}80-5-40 \ge 37-20 \end{align*}

3517\begin{align*}35 \ge 17 \checkmark\end{align*}

Intro Problem Revisit Recall that the conversion formula for Celsius to Fahrenheit is C=59(F32)\begin{align*}C= \frac{5}{9}(F-32)\end{align*}. The temperature can be equal to or greater than 35C\begin{align*}-35^\circ C\end{align*}.

59(F32)35F323595F3263F31

So, the temperature can be equal to or higher than 31F\begin{align*}-31^\circ F\end{align*}.

### Guided Practice

1. Is x=12\begin{align*}x = 12\end{align*} a solution to 3(x10)+18x25\begin{align*}-3(x-10)+18 \ge x-25\end{align*}?

Solve and graph the following inequalities.

2. (x+16)+3x>8\begin{align*}-(x+16)+3x>8\end{align*}

3. 249x<6x21\begin{align*}24-9x<6x-21\end{align*}

#### Answers

1. Plug in 12 for x\begin{align*}x\end{align*} and simplify.

3(1210)+1832+186+1812351313

This is true because 1213\begin{align*}12 \ge -13\end{align*}, so 12 is a solution.

2. Distribute the negative sign on the left side and combine like terms.

(x+16)+3x>8x16+3x>8  2x16>8+16+16  2x2>242 x>12

Test a solution, \begin{align*}x = 15:\end{align*}

3. First, add \begin{align*}9x\end{align*} to both sides and add 21 to both sides.

Test a solution, \begin{align*}x = 10:\end{align*}

### Explore More

Determine if the following numbers are solutions to \begin{align*}-7(2x-5)+12>-4x-13\end{align*}.

1. \begin{align*}x=4\end{align*}
2. \begin{align*}x=10\end{align*}
3. \begin{align*}x=6\end{align*}

Solve and graph the following inequalities.

1. \begin{align*}2(x-5) \ge 16\end{align*}
2. \begin{align*}-4(3x+7)<20\end{align*}
3. \begin{align*}15x-23>6x-17\end{align*}
4. \begin{align*}5x+16+2x\le - 19\end{align*}
5. \begin{align*}4(2x-1)\ge3(2x+1)\end{align*}
6. \begin{align*}11x-17-2x \le - (x-23)\end{align*}

Solve the following inequalities.

1. \begin{align*}5-5x>4(3-x)\end{align*}
2. \begin{align*}-(x-1)+10<-3(x-3)\end{align*}
3. Solve \begin{align*}5x+4 \le -2(x+3)\end{align*} by adding the \begin{align*}2x\end{align*} term on the right to the left-hand side.
4. Solve \begin{align*}5x+4 \le-2(x+3)\end{align*} by subtracting the \begin{align*}5x\end{align*} term on the left to the right-hand side.
5. Compare your answers from 12 and 13. What do you notice?
6. Challenge Solve \begin{align*}3x-7>3(x+3)\end{align*}. What happens?

### Vocabulary Language: English

linear equation

linear equation

A linear equation is an equation between two variables that produces a straight line when graphed.

Please wait...
Please wait...