Math problems containing <, >, <=, and >= are called inequalities.

  A solution to any inequality is any number that makes the inequality true.

On many occasions, you will be asked to show the solution to an inequality by graphing it on a number line.  This is usually covered in
elementary algebra (Algebra I) courses.  This custom has been followed on this site, so click here to understand graphing on a number line.

As with equations, inequalities also have principles dealing with addition and multiplication.  They are outlined below.

1.  Addition Principle for Inequalities - If a > b then a + c > b + c.  Example:
Solve: x + 3 > 6
Solution: Using the Addition Principle,
add -3 to each side of the
inequality.

x + 3 - 3 > 6 - 3

After simplification, x > 3.

2.  Multiplication Principle for Inequalities - If a >b and c is positive, then ac > bc.  If a > b and c is negative, then ac < bc (notice the sign was
reversed).  Example: 2. Solve: -4x < .8
Solution: Using the Multiplication Principle,
multiply both sides of the
inequality by -.25. Then
reverse the signs.

-.25(-4x) > -.25(.8)

x > -.2
One thing in math that seems to give people trouble throughout their math careers is absolute value.  The absolute value of any number is its
numerical value (ignore the sign).  For example, the absolute value of -6 is 6 and |+3| (the vertical lines stand for absolute value) is 3.

Absolute value in inequalities is a little more complicated.  For example, |x| >= 4 asks us for all numbers that have an absolute value that is
greater than or equal to 4.  Obviously, 4 and any number greater than 4 is a solution.  The confusing part comes from the fact that -4 and any
number less than -4 is a solution (|-4| = 4, |-5| = 5, etc.).  Therefore, the solution is x >= 4 or x <= -4.

Absolute value becomes even more complicated when dealing with equations.  However, there is a theorem that tells us how to deal with
equations with absolute value and complicated inequalities.

1.  If X is any expression, and b any positive number, and |X| = b it is the same as |X| = b or |X| = -b.

2.  If X is any expression, and b any positive number, and |X| < b it is the same as -b < X < b.

3.  If X is any expression, and b any positive number, and |X| > b it is the same as X < -b, X > b.

Example:

3. Solve: |5x - 4| = 11

Solution: Use the theorem stated above to rewrite

the equation.

|X| = b
X = 5x - 4 and b = 11

5x - 4 = 11, 5x - 4 = -11

Solve each equation using the

Addition Principle and the
Multiplication Principle.

5x = 15, 5x = -7
x = 3, x = -(7/5)
Our aim is to have x (or whatever the variable is) on its own on the left of the inequality sign:
Something like:   x<5
or:   y ≥ 11
Solving inequalities is very like solving equations ... you do most of the same things ...
... but you must also pay attention to the direction of the inequality.
Direction: Which way the arrow "points"Some things you do will change the direction!
< would become >
> would become <
≤ would become ≥
≥ would become ≤
Safe Things To Do
These are things you can do without affecting the direction of the inequality:
Add (or subtract) a number from both sides
Multiply (or divide) both sides by a positive number
Simplify a side
Example: 3x < 7+3
You can simplify 7+3 without affecting the inequality:
3x < 10
But these things will change the direction of the inequality ("<" becomes ">" for example):
Multiply (or divide) both sides by a negative number
Swapping left and right hand sides
Example: 2y+7 < 12
When you swap the left and right hand sides, you must also change the direction of the inequality:
12 > 2y+7
Here are the details:
Adding or Subtracting a Value
We can often solve inequalities by adding (or subtracting) a number from both sides (just as in Introduction to Algebra), like this:
Solve: x + 3 < 7
If we subtract 3 from both sides, we get:
x+3-3<7-3  
x<4
And that is our solution: x < 4
In other words, x can be any value less than 4.
 
What did we do?

We went from this: x+3 < 7

      
To this: x<4

       
And that works well for adding and subtracting, because if you add (or subtract) the same amount from both sides, it does not affect the
inequality
Example: Alex has more coins than Billy. If both Alex and Billy get three more coins each, Alex will still have more coins than Billy.
What If I Solve It, But "x" Is On The Right?
No matter, just swap sides, but reverse the sign so it still "points at" the correct value!
Example: 12 < x + 5
If we subtract 5 from both sides, we get:
12 - 5 < x + 5 - 5    
7<x
That is a solution!
But it is normal to put "x" on the left hand side ...
... so let us flip sides (and the inequality sign!):
x>7
Do you see how the inequality sign still "points at" the smaller value (7) ?
And that is our solution: x > 7
Note: "x" can be on the right, but people usually like to see it on the left hand side.
Summary
Many simple inequalities can be solved by adding, subtracting, multiplying or dividing both sides until you are left with the variable on its own.
But these things will change direction of the inequality:
Multiplying or dividing both sides by a negative number
Swapping left and right hand sides
Don't multiply or divide by a variable (unless you know it is always positive or always negative)