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6.2: Inequalities Using Multiplication and Division

Difficulty Level: At Grade Created by: CK-12

Equations are mathematical sentences in which the two sides have the same “weight.” By adding, subtracting, multiplying, or dividing the same value to both sides of the equation, the balance stays in check. However, inequalities begin off-balance. When you perform inverse operations, the inequality will remain off-balance. This is true with inequalities involving both multiplication and division.

Before we can begin to solve inequalities involving multiplication or division, you need to know two properties, the Multiplication Property of Inequalities and the Division Property of Inequalities.

Multiplication Property of Inequality: For all real positive numbers a, b,$a, \ b,$ and c$c$:

If x<a$x < a$, then x(c)<a(c).$x(c)< a(c).$

If x>a$x > a$, then x(c)>a(c).$x(c) > a(c).$

Division Property of Inequality: For all real positive numbers a, b,$a, \ b,$ and c$c$:

If x<a$x < a$, then x÷(c)<a÷(c).$x \div (c) < a \div (c).$

If x>a$x > a$, then x÷(c)>a÷(c).$x \div (c) > a \div (c).$

Consider the inequality 2x12$2x \ge 12$. To find the solutions to this inequality, we must isolate the variable x$x$ by using the inverse operation of “multiply by 2,” which is dividing by 2.

2x & \ge 12\\
\frac{2x}{2} & \ge \frac{12}{2}\\
x & \ge 6

This solution can be expressed in four ways. One way is already written, x6$x \ge 6$. Below are the three remaining ways to express this solution:

• {x|x6}$\left \{ x | x \ge 6 \right \}$
• [6,)$[6, \infty)$
• Using a number line:

Example: Solve for y:y53$y: \frac{y}{5} \le 3$. Express the solution using all four methods.

Solution: The inequality above is read, “y$y$ divided by 5 is less than or equal to 3.” To isolate the variable y$y$, you must cancel division using its inverse operation, multiplication.

\frac{y}{5} \cdot \frac{5}{1} & \le 3 \cdot \frac{5}{1}\\
y & \le 15

One method of writing the solution is y15.$y \le 15.$

The other three are:

• (,15]$(-\infty ,15]$
• {y|y15}$\left \{ y | y \le 15 \right \}$

Multiplying and Dividing an Inequality by a Negative Number

Notice that the two properties in this lesson focused on c$c$ being only positive. This is because those particular properties of multiplication and division do not apply when the number being multiplied (or divided) is negative.

Think of it this way. When you multiply a value by –1, the number you get is the negative of the original.

6(1)=6

Multiplying each side of a sentence by –1 results in the opposite of both values.

5x(-1)&=4(-1)\\
-5x&=-4

When multiplying by a negative, you are doing the “opposite” of everything in the sentence, including the verb.

x&>4\\
x(-1)&>4(-1)\\
-x&<-4

This concept is summarized below.

Multiplication/Division Rule of Inequality: For any real number a$a$, and any negative number c$c$,

If x<a$x, then xc>ac$x \cdot c > a \cdot c$

If x<a$x, then xc>ac$\frac{x}{c} > \frac{a}{c}$

As with the other properties of inequalities, these also hold true for $\le$ or $\ge$.

Example 1: Solve for r:3r<9$r: -3r < 9$.

Solution: To isolate the variable r$r$, we must cancel “multiply by –3” using its inverse operation, dividing by –3.

3r3<93

Since you are dividing by –3, everything becomes opposite, including the inequality sign.

r>3

Example 2: Solve for p:12p<30$p: 12p < -30$.

Solution: To isolate the variable p$p$, we must cancel “multiply by 12” using its inverse operation, dividing by 12.

12p12<3012

Because 12 is not negative, you do not switch the inequality sign.

p<52
.

In set notation, the solution would be: (,52)$\left ( -\infty, \frac{-5}{2} \right )$

Multimedia Link: For more help with solving inequalities involving multiplication and division, visit Khan Academy's website: http://khanexercises.appspot.com/video?v=PNXozoJWsWc.

Practice Set

Sample explanations for some of the practice exercises below are available by viewing the following video. Note that there is not always a match between the number of the practice exercise in the video and the number of the practice exercise listed in the following exercise set.  However, the practice exercise is the same in both.

1. In which cases do you change the inequality sign?

Solve each inequality. Give the solution using inequality notation and with a solution graph.

1. 3x6$3x \le 6$
2. x5>310$\frac{x}{5} > - \frac{3}{10}$
3. 10x>250$-10x > 250$
4. x75$\frac{x} {-7} \ge -5$
5. 9x>34$9x > - \frac{3}{4}$
6. x155$\frac{x}{-15} \le 5$
7. 620x>2400$620 x > 2400$
8. x20740$\frac{x}{20} \ge - \frac{7}{40}$
9. 0.5x7.5$-0.5x \le 7.5$
10. 75x125$75x \ge 125$
11. x3>109$\frac{x}{-3} > - \frac{10}{9}$
12. k141$\frac{k}{-14} \le 1$
13. x15<8$\frac{x}{-15} < 8$
14. x2>40$\frac{x}{2} > 40$
15. x312$\frac{x}{-3} \le -12$
16. x25<32$\frac{x}{25} < \frac{3}{2}$
17. x79$\frac{x}{-7} \ge 9$
18. 4x<24$4x < 24$
19. 238<14d$238 < 14d$
20. 19m285$-19m \le -285$
21. 9x35$-9x \ge - \frac{3}{5}$
22. 5x21$-5x \le 21$
23. The width of a rectangle is 16 inches. Its area is greater than 180 square inches.
1. Write an inequality to represent this situation.
2. Graph the possible lengths of the rectangle.
24. Ninety percent of some number is at most 45.
1. Write an inequality to represent the situation.
2. Write the solutions as an algebraic sentence.
25. Doubling Martha’s jam recipe yields at least 22 pints.
1. Write an inequality to represent the situation.
2. Write the solutions using interval notation.

Mixed Review

1. After 3 dozen cookies, Anna has fewer than 24 to make.
1. Write an inequality to represent this situation. Let c=$c=$ the number of cookies Anna had to make.
2. Write the solutions in set notation.
2. Tracey’s checking account balance is $31.85. He needs to deposit enough money to pay his satellite T.V. bill, which is$97.12.
1. Write an inequality to represent this situation.
2. Write the solutions as an algebraic sentence.
3. Solve for v:v=|2(19)+6|.$v: v=-|2-(-19)+6|.$
4. A piggy bank is filled with dimes and quarters. The total amount of money is $26.00. 1. Graph all the combinations that make this statement true. 2. If$13.50 is in quarters, how many dimes must be in the piggy bank?

8 , 9

Feb 22, 2012

Dec 11, 2014

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