9th grade · Math · Unit 11 of 18
Linear Inequalities
Solve and write inequalities
What your child practices
Solving linear inequalities (flipping the sign when dividing by a negative), checking a solution, and writing inequalities from budgets and limits.
California Content Standards learning standard: A-REI.3; A-CED.1 · creating and solving linear inequalities in context
How we explain it
Children can open this short lesson before they practice.
- Solve an inequality like an equation.
- If you multiply or divide by a negative number, flip the sign.
- Check with a number from your answer.
Example: Solve −2x + 3 > 11. Subtract 3: −2x > 8. Divide by −2 and flip: x < −4. Answer: x < −4
Sample questions
A taste of this unit. In the app, questions change every time and get easier or harder to match your child.
Question 1
Solve 4x + 10 ≤ 14.
- x ≤ 1
- x ≤ −1
- x ≥ 1
- x ≤ 2
x ≤ 1
Hint: Undo the steps as with an equation.
Question 2
You have $80. Shirts cost $9 each and shipping is $8. Which inequality shows how many shirts, s, you can buy?
- 9s + 8 ≥ 80
- 9s ≤ 80 + 8
- 9s + 8 ≤ 80
- 9 + 8s ≤ 80
9s + 8 ≤ 80
Hint: The total cost (price × shirts + shipping) must be at most your budget.
Question 3
Is x = 7 a solution of 4x − 2 < 4?
- No
- Yes
No
Hint: Substitute: 4 × 7 − 2 = 26. Is that less than 4?
Question 4
Tickets cost $9 each plus a $2 fee. You can spend at most $100. What is the greatest number of tickets you can buy?
- 8
- 9
- 11
- 10
10
Hint: 9t + 2 ≤ 100, so t ≤ 10.889. Round down.
Question 5
Solve −5x − 2 > 28.
- x > 6
- x > −5
- x < −6
- x > −6
x < −6
Hint: Undo the steps as with an equation. Dividing by a negative number flips the inequality sign.
Question 6
Tickets cost $3 each plus a $6 fee. You can spend at most $50. What is the greatest number of tickets you can buy?
- 17
- 14
- 15
- 16
14
Hint: 3t + 6 ≤ 50, so t ≤ 14.667. Round down.