How Do You Solve a Word Problem Using an Inequality With Variables on Both Sides?

How Do You Solve a Word Problem Using an Inequality With Variables on Both Sides?

Note:

This tutorial provides a great real world application of math. See how to turn a word problem into an inequality. Then solve the inequality by performing the order of operations in reverse. Don't forget that if you multiply or divide by a negative number, you MUST flip the sign of the inequality! That's one of the big differences between solving equalities and solving inequalities.

Keywords:

  • problem
  • word problem
  • word
  • translate words to algebra
  • inequality
  • solve
  • like terms
  • variables on both sides
  • flip inequality
  • negative
  • solve by division
  • solve by addition
  • division property of inequality
  • addition property of inequality
  • flip inequality
  • flip
  • 1 variable
  • set builder notation
  • two operations

Background Tutorials

  • Evaluating Expressions

      • What is a Variable?What is a Variable?

      What is a Variable?

      You can't do algebra without working with variables, but variables can be confusing. If you've ever wondered what variables are, then this tutorial is for you!

  • Working with Integers

      • What's an Inequality?What's an Inequality?

      What's an Inequality?

      Inequalities come up all the time when you're working algebra problems. In this tutorial you'll learn what an inequality is, and you'll see all the common inequality symbols that you're likely to see :)

  • Translating Between Words and Math

      • How Do You Write an Equation from a Word Problem?How Do You Write an Equation from a Word Problem?

      How Do You Write an Equation from a Word Problem?

      Having difficulty turning a word problem into an algebra equation? Then this tutorial is for you! With this tutorial, you'll learn how to break down word problems and translate them into mathematical equations.

Further Exploration

  • Solving Multi-Step Inequalities

      • How Do You Solve a Word Problem Using a Multi-Step Inequality?How Do You Solve a Word Problem Using a Multi-Step Inequality?

      How Do You Solve a Word Problem Using a Multi-Step Inequality?

      This tutorial provides a great real world application of math. See how to turn a word problem into an inequality. Then solve the inequality by performing the order of operations in reverse. Don't forget that if you multiply or divide by a negative number, you MUST flip the sign of the inequality! That's one of the big differences between solving equalities and solving inequalities.

  • Solving Inequalities by Adding

  • Solving Inequalities by Subtracting