Inequality Word Problems: Real-Life Applications for 7th Graders

1. Sarah has at least 50 stickers. If she buys x more stickers, write an inequality to represent the total number of stickers she will have.

• S + x >= 50 + x

• S + x < 50 + x

• S + x = 50 + x

• S + x > 50 + x

2. A movie theater has a seating capacity of 200. If x represents the number of tickets sold, write an inequality to show how many more tickets can be sold.

• x = 200

• x > 200

• x < 200

• x ≤ 200

3. Tom needs to score more than 75% on his math test. If the test has 40 questions, write an inequality to find out how many questions he needs to answer correctly.

• x = 25

• x > 30

• x ≥ 35

• x < 30

4. A recipe requires at least 3 cups of flour. If x is the amount of flour Tom has, write an inequality to show how much more flour he needs to buy.

• x > 3

• x < 3

• x = 3

• x ≤ 3

5. A car can travel a maximum of 300 miles on a full tank. If x represents the miles already traveled, write an inequality to show how many more miles can be driven before refueling.

• x = 300

• x > 300

• x < 300

• x ≤ 300

6. Lisa wants to save at least $200 for a new bike. If she currently has x dollars saved, write an inequality to represent how much more she needs to save.

• 200 - x < 0

• x - 200 < 0

• x + 200 < 0

• 200 - x > 0

7. A school has a limit of 150 students in a club. If x is the number of students currently in the club, write an inequality to show how many more students can join.

• y ≤ 150 - x

• y < 150 + x

• y ≥ 150 - x

• y = 150 - x

8. A plant needs at least 6 hours of sunlight each day. If x is the number of hours of sunlight it receives, write an inequality to show how much more sunlight it needs.

• x ≤ 6

• x < 6

• x > 6

• x = 6

9. A book has more than 250 pages. If x represents the number of pages in the book, write an inequality to express this situation.

• x > 250

• x < 250

• x ≥ 250

• x = 250

10. A runner wants to complete a marathon in less than 4 hours. If x is the time in hours he takes, write an inequality to represent his goal.

• x < 4

• x > 4

• x ≤ 4

• x = 4