Inequalities on a Number Line

Front

What is an inequality?

Back

An inequality is a mathematical statement that compares two expressions and shows that one is greater than, less than, greater than or equal to, or less than or equal to the other.

Front

What does the symbol '>' mean?

Back

The symbol '>' means 'greater than'. For example, x > 3 means x is greater than 3.

Front

What does the symbol '<' mean?

Back

The symbol '<' means 'less than'. For example, x < 2 means x is less than 2.

Front

What does the symbol '≥' mean?

Back

The symbol '≥' means 'greater than or equal to'. For example, x ≥ 5 means x is greater than or equal to 5.

Front

What does the symbol '≤' mean?

Back

The symbol '≤' means 'less than or equal to'. For example, x ≤ -1 means x is less than or equal to -1.

Front

How do you represent 'x is greater than 0' on a number line?

Back

You draw an open circle at 0 and shade to the right, indicating all numbers greater than 0.

Front

How do you represent 'x is less than or equal to 3' on a number line?

Back

You draw a closed circle at 3 and shade to the left, indicating all numbers less than or equal to 3.

Front

What does the inequality x ≥ -5 represent on a number line?

Back

It represents all numbers greater than or equal to -5, with a closed circle at -5 and shading to the right.

Front

If a number line shows an open circle at 1 and shading to the right, what inequality does it represent?

Back

It represents the inequality x > 1.

Front

If a number line shows a closed circle at -2 and shading to the left, what inequality does it represent?

Back

It represents the inequality x ≤ -2.