Let’s use the previous examples to show a visualization and graphs of the situations. You can also visualize a numberline to help organize the symbols, it fact, number lines are used to graph inequalities and have a visual representation of the symbols.

When we put the zero on the left side we want to make sure the symbol is still opening towards the words “amount spent” Next look at the opening for the zero money spent. Now that we have two statements how do we combine them? We will rewrite the first statement we made. What is the smallest amount that he can spend? Jeff doesn’t need to spend any money at all! He can make a gift and spend no money at all. That means he only has $18 to really spend. When working with inequality symbols and problems, it may be helpful to think about the biggest value and the smallest value. He needs to make sure that he has $2 left over to pay back his friend. Jeff has $20 in his pocket and wants to buy a present for his sister. This would mean that there would be a need to use two symbols. There are many different situations in which a range of values would be acceptable. This means that the amount of juice is greater than or equal to zero as well as less than or equal to 12 cups!Ġ cups ≤ amount of juice ≤ 12 cups Combining Symbols Remember that pitcher that hols 12 cups of juice? We know that 12 cups is the greatest amount it can hold, but what is the least amount? It can have no juice in the pitcher.

We can use the previous examples to show this. However, you can use more than one symbol to indicate a range. What About Zero?Īs you learn about inequality symbols you often use one at a time. The phrase “at least” is commonly used when working with greater than or equal to. If you are shorter, or less than 4 feet tall you are not allowed to ride. If you are 4 feet tall you can ride the ride and if you are taller you may ride. Using the symbols it would look like this: If you have ever been on a roller coaster ride or been to an amusement park you may have seen a sign that said “You must be at least 4 feet tall to ride this ride”.

Less than sign