Solving linear equations and inequalities: Linear inequalities in one unknown
Solving a linear inequality via equations
You can also solve a linear inequality by
- first replacing the inequality sign by an equal sign,
- then solving this equation, and
- finally, determining the sign of the inequality for point to the left and to the right of the solution of the equation.
Determine the exact solution of the inequality \[5x -6 \gt 4x {\,+\,}5\] via equations.
\(x \gt 11\)
We follow the following roadmap:
- Get started with the corresponding equation \[5x -6 = 4x {\,+\,}5\]
- Solve this equation:
- Get the terms with \(x\) on the left-hand side of the equation (by adding \(-4x\) on both sides):
\(5x -6 - 4x = 4x {\,+\,}5 - 4x\), which simplifies to \(x -6 = 5\). - Then move the terms without \(x\) to the right (by adding \(6\) both sides):
\(x -6 +6 = 5 +6\), which simplifies to \(x = 11\). - So, the solution of the equation is \(x = {11}\).
- Get the terms with \(x\) on the left-hand side of the equation (by adding \(-4x\) on both sides):
- Find out whether the solutions are on the number line to the left or to the right of \(11\).
- First calculate the left- and right-hand sides of the inequality \(5x -6 \gt 4x {\,+\,}5\) when you substitute a value of \(x\) less than \(11\). For example, when you fill in \(x=-10\), then you get \(-56 \gt -35\) and this is a false statement. Any other value of \(x\) less than \(11\) may be used too, and you still get a false statement.
- Then calculate the left- and right-hand sides of the inequality \(5x -6 \gt 4x {\,+\,}5\) when you substitute a value of \(x\) greater than \(11\). For example, when you fill in \(x=10\), then you get \(44 \gt 45\) and this is a false statement. Any other value of \(x\) greater than \(11\) may be used too, and you still get a false statement.
- From these two numeric examples follows that solutions \(x\) of \(5x -6 \gt 4x {\,+\,}5\) must satisfy \(x \gt 11\).
The points where the inequality holds are shown in green in the number line below. An open circle around \(x=11\) indicates that we are dealing with an inequality of the type \(\lt\) or \(\gt\), where in this case the point itself is not a solution. A closed circle indicates an inequality of the type \(\le\) or \(\ge\), and then the point marked on the number line is element of the solution set.
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