Math inequalities are read in a way that expresses the relationship between two values, indicating that they are not necessarily equal. They use specific symbols to show whether one value is greater than, less than, or equal to another.
Understanding Inequality Symbols
Here's a breakdown of common inequality symbols and how to read them:
| Symbol | Meaning | Example | How to Read It |
|---|---|---|---|
| ≠ | Not equal to | 5 ≠ 3 | "5 is not equal to 3" |
| < | Less than | 2 < 7 | "2 is less than 7" |
| > | Greater than | 9 > 4 | "9 is greater than 4" |
| ≤ | Less than or equal to | x ≤ 10 | "x is less than or equal to 10" |
| ≥ | Greater than or equal to | y ≥ 1 | "y is greater than or equal to 1" |
Reading More Complex Inequalities
Inequalities can also be combined to express a range of values. For instance:
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a < x < b: "x is greater than a and less than b" or "x is between a and b."
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a ≤ x ≤ b: "x is greater than or equal to a and less than or equal to b" or "x is between a and b, inclusive."
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a < x ≤ b: "x is greater than a and less than or equal to b."
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a ≤ x < b: "x is greater than or equal to a and less than b."
Examples in Context
- "The age must be greater than 18 to vote:"
age > 18 - "You need at least 70 points to pass the exam:"
score ≥ 70 - "The number of apples should be less than or equal to 5:"
apples ≤ 5
Key Takeaways
When reading inequalities, focus on:
- Identifying the variable or value being compared.
- Understanding the meaning of the specific inequality symbol.
- Expressing the relationship clearly and concisely.
