Translating a Sentence by Using an Inequality Symbol

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Introduction

Inequality is a statement that two quantities are not equal.

These are the following inequality signs for any two quantities A, B

<, A < B; A is less than B

≥, A ≤ B, A is less than or equal to B

>, A > B; A is greater than B

≥, A ≥ B, A greater than or equal to B

≠, A ≠ B; A not equal to B

Definition

Equations and inequalities are both mathematical sentences that relate two expressions to each other.

• In an inequality, the two expressions are related by the symbols: >, <, ≤ or ≥

• An equation or an inequality that contains at least one variable is called an open sentence.

• When you substitute a number for the variable in an open sentence, the resulting statement is either true or false. If the When you substitute a number for the variable in an open sentence, the resulting statement is either true or false. If the statement is true, the number is a solution to the equation or inequality.

Example 1

Write an inequality for the following statement

4 greater than or equal to p

Solution

Step 1:

We start from the left and proceed towards the right

On the left, there is 4 and on the right, there is p and the inequality greater than or equal to in the middle

Step 2:

So the statement 4 greater than or equal to p translates to

4 ≥ p

Example 2

Write an inequality for the following statement

y less than or equal to 6

Solution

Step 1:

We start from the left and proceed towards the right

On the left, there is y and on the right, there is 6 and the inequality less than or equal to in the middle

Step 2:

So, the statement y less than or equal to 6 translates to

y ≤ 6