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Auralith Learning

Year 8 · Maths · Brackets and equations · Lesson 4

Inequalities

Learn the inequality signs, show and read inequalities on number lines, list integers that satisfy an inequality, and solve linear inequalities, including word problems.

Whiteboard video lesson: Inequalities

28-minute video lesson

Teaching, worked examples and 20 practice questions solved step by step.

Watch free for a month

What your child will learn

  • Understand the symbols <, >, ≤ and ≥
  • Show inequalities on a number line
  • Read inequalities from a number line
  • List integers that satisfy an inequality
  • Solve linear inequalities

The method

  1. < and > use an open circle; ≤ and ≥ use a filled circle.
  2. Greater than: arrow right. Less than: arrow left.
  3. Solve like an equation, keeping the inequality sign.
  4. Integers are whole numbers (including 0 and negatives).

Key words: inequality, less than, greater than, number line, integer.

Worked examples

The first three practice questions from the lesson, with every step.

Question 1

Write down the inequality shown on the number line.

  1. Step 1: Look at the circles and the arrow
  2. Step 2: Open circle at 3: < or >
  3. Step 3: Arrow goes left: less

Answer: x < 3

Question 2

Write down the inequality shown on the number line.

  1. Step 1: Look at the circles and the arrow
  2. Step 2: Filled circle at −2: ≤ or ≥
  3. Step 3: Arrow goes right: greater

Answer: x ≥ −2

Question 3

Write down the inequality shown on the number line.

  1. Step 1: Look at the circles and the arrow
  2. Step 2: Open circle at −4: < or >
  3. Step 3: Arrow goes right: greater

Answer: x > −4