1.

9 Solving First-Degree Inequalities

Canadian long-track speed skater Catriona LeMay
Doan broke world records in both the 500-m and the
1000-m events on the same day in Calgary.
Event Catriona’s Time (s) Old World Record (s)
500-m 37.90 38.69
1000-m 76.07 77.65

Since her winning times were less than the old world
records, or the old world records were greater than her
winning times, we can describe her achievement in the
form of an inequality. A mathematical inequality may
contain a symbol such as <, ≤, >, ≥, or ≠.
In a first-degree inequality, such as x + 2 > 7, the
variable has the exponent 1. To solve an inequality,
find values of the variable that make the inequality
true. For example, the inequality x + 2 > 7 is true for
x = 5.1, x = 6, x = 7.25, and all other real values of x
greater than 5. These values are said to satisfy the
inequality. We write the solution as x > 5.

I NVESTIGATE & I NQUIRE

1. Passenger aircraft land at 240 km/h, but their speeds on their landing
approaches are higher than this. When passenger aircraft descend for
a landing, their speeds during descent are given by the inequalities
s − 320 ≥ 0 and s − 320 ≤ 80, where s is the speed in kilometres per hour.
a) Solve the equations s − 320 = 0 and s − 320 = 80.
b) Solve the inequalities s − 320 ≥ 0 and s − 320 ≤ 80 using the same steps
as you used in part a).
2. What is the lowest speed at which a passenger aircraft can descend?
3. What is the highest speed at which a passenger aircraft can descend?
4. a) List the three greatest whole-number solutions for s − 320 ≤ 80.
b) Use substitution to show that your three values from part a) satisfy both
inequalities.
72 MHR • Chapter 1
 5. Solve each of the following inequalities using the same rules used to solve
equations.
a) 4x + 7 < 15 b) 7x + 2 > 23
1
c) 0.8 + 1.3x > 7.3 d)  x − 5 < 3
2
6. a) The table shows the results of various operations on both sides of the
inequality 9 > 6. Copy and complete the table by replacing each ● with >
or <.
Original Inequality Operation Resulting Inequality
9>6 Add 3 9+3●6+3
9>6 Subtract 3 9−3●6−3
9>6 Multiply by 3 9×3●6×3
9>6 Multiply by –3 9 × (−3) ● 6 × (−3)
9 6
9>6 Divide by 3 ●
3 3
9 6
9>6 Divide by –3 ●
–3 –3

b) State the operations that reverse the direction of the inequality symbol.
7. Test your statement from question 6b) by determining the results of the
following operations.
Inequality Operation Inequality Operation

a) 4 > −3 Add 5 b) 2<6 Add −1

c) −3 < −1 Subtract 2 d) −1 > −4 Subtract −2

e) 2 > −1 Multiply by 4 f) −3 < −2 Multiply by −3

g) 4>3 Multiply by 2 h) −4 < −3 Multiply by −1

i) 3<6 Divide by 3 j) 2 > −2 Divide by −2

k) −4 < −2 Divide by 2 l) −4 > −8 Divide by −4

8. Use your answers from questions 6 and 7 to solve each of the following.
Use substitution to verify your solutions.
x
a) −4x > 4 b)  < 1
–3

First-degree inequalities in one variable can be solved by performing the

same operations on both sides to isolate the variable. When multiplying
or dividing both sides of an inequality by a negative number, reverse the
direction of the inequality symbol.

1.9 Solving First-Degree Inequalities • MHR 73

In the following examples and problems, assume that all variables represent
real numbers.

EXAMPLE 1 Solving an Inequality

Solve and check 3x − 2 < 13.

SOLUTION
3x − 2 < 13
Add 2 to both sides: 3x − 2 + 2 < 13 + 2
3x < 15
3x 15
Divide both sides by 3: <
3 3
x<5
Check.
Try x = 4: L.S. = 3x − 2 R.S. = 13
= 3(4) − 2
= 10
L.S. < R.S.

The solution is any real number less than 5.

EXAMPLE 2 Solving and Graphing

Solve 2(3 − x) − 1 ≥ 7. Graph the solution.

SOLUTION
2(3 − x) − 1 ≥ 7
Expand to remove brackets: 6 − 2x − 1 ≥ 7
5 − 2x ≥ 7
Subtract 5 from both sides: 5 − 2x − 5 ≥ 7 − 5
−2x ≥ 2
–2x 2
Divide both sides by –2: ≤ When you multiply or divide by a negative
–2 –2 number, reverse the direction of the symbol.
x ≤ −1
The graph is as shown. The closed dot at x = −1
shows that −1 is included in the solution. –5 –4 –3 –2 –1 0 1 2 3 4

74 MHR • Chapter 1
EXAMPLE 3 Solving an Inequality Involving Fractions
3x x
Solve  +  > 5. Graph the solution.
4 2

SOLUTION
The LCD is 4.
3x x
+>5
4 2

 
3x x
Multiply both sides by 4: 4 ×  +  > 4 × 5
4 2
3x + 2x > 20
5x > 20
5x 20
Divide both sides by 5: >
5 5
x>4
Check.
3x x
Try x = 8: L.S. =  +  R.S. = 5
4 2
3(8) (8)
=+
4 2
=6+4
= 10
L.S. > R.S.
The solution is any real number greater than 4.
The graph is as shown. The open dot at x = 4 shows
–1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
that 4 is not included in the solution.

1.9 Solving First-Degree Inequalities • MHR 75

EXAMPLE 4 Solving an Inequality Involving Decimals
Solve 0.5(x + 4) − 0.2(x + 6) ≤ 0.5(x + 1) − 2.8. Graph the solution.

SOLUTION
0.5(x + 4) − 0.2(x + 6) ≤ 0.5(x + 1) − 2.8
Expand to remove brackets: 0.5x + 2 − 0.2x − 1.2 ≤ 0.5x + 0.5 − 2.8
Simplify: 0.3x + 0.8 ≤ 0.5x − 2.3
Subtract 0.8 from both sides: 0.3x + 0.8 – 0.8 ≤ 0.5x − 2.3 – 0.8
0.3x ≤ 0.5x − 3.1
Subtract 0.5x from both sides: 0.3x – 0.5x ≤ 0.5x − 3.1 – 0.5x
−0.2x ≤ −3.1
–0.2x –3.1
Divide both sides by –0.2: ≥
–0.2 –0.2
x ≥ 15.5

The graph is as shown. 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21

Note that Example 4 could also be solved by isolating the variable on the
right side.
After expanding and simplifying,
0.3x + 0.8 ≤ 0.5x − 2.3
Add 2.3 to both sides: 0.3x + 3.1 ≤ 0.5x
Subtract 0.3x from both sides: 3.1 ≤ 0.2x
Divide both sides by 0.2: 15.5 ≤ x
or x ≥ 15.5

EXAMPLE 5 Selling Hiking Staffs

Volunteers from a hiking association are selling hiking staffs as a fundraiser.
The cost of making the staffs is a fixed overhead of $2000, plus $10 per
staff. Each staff is sold for $30. What number of staffs must be sold for the
revenue to exceed the cost?

SOLUTION 1 Paper-and-Pencil Method

Let x represent the number of staffs made and sold.
The cost of making the staffs is C = 2000 + 10x.
The revenue from selling the staffs is R = 30x.

76 MHR • Chapter 1
For the revenue to exceed the cost, R > C,
so 30x > 2000 + 10x.
30x > 2000 + 10x
Subtract 10x from both sides: 30x – 10x > 2000 + 10x – 10x
20x > 2000
20x 2000
Divide both sides by 20: >
20 20
x > 100
Over 100 staffs must be sold for the revenue to exceed the cost.

SOLUTION 2 Graphing-Calculator Method

Let x represent the number of staffs made and sold.
The cost of making the staffs is C = 2000 + 10x.
The revenue from selling the staffs is R = 30x.
Enter the equations y = 2000 + 10x and y = 30x in the Y= editor of a graphing
calculator. Graph the equations using suitable values of the window variables.
Use the intersect operation to find the coordinates of the point of intersection.

For these graphs, the window variables include Xmin = 0, Xmax = 150, Ymin = 0, and Ymax = 5000.

The value of x where the graphs intersect is 100.

For the revenue to exceed the cost, R > C,
so 30x > 2000 + 10x.
The graph of y = 30x is the graph that starts at the origin. This graph is above
the graph of y = 2000 + 10x when 30x > 2000 + 10x. So, R > C when x > 100.
Over 100 staffs must be sold for the revenue to exceed the cost.

1.9 Solving First-Degree Inequalities • MHR 77

 Key Concepts
• The results of performing operations on an inequality are summarized in the
table. Similar results are observed for inequalities that include the symbols <,
≥, and ≤. These results and the methods used to solve equations can be used to
solve inequalities.
Original Inequality Operation Resulting Inequality
a>b Add c a+c>b+c
a>b Subtract c a−c>b−c
a>b Multiply by c, c > 0 ac > bc, c > 0
a>b Multiply by c, c < 0 ac < bc, c < 0
a b
a>b Divide by c, c > 0  > , c > 0
c c
a b
a>b Divide by c, c < 0  < , c < 0
c c
• For a graph of an inequality on a number line, a closed dot shows that an
endpoint is included, and an open dot shows that an endpoint is not included.

Communicate Yo u r Understanding
1. Describe each step in solving 5x − 7 > 2x + 11 algebraically.
2. Describe when it is necessary to reverse the direction of the inequality
symbol when solving an inequality algebraically.
3. Describe how you would write two inequalities that have the solution
x ≥ 3 and that have variables on both sides of the inequality symbol.
4. Describe how the graphs of x > −2 and x ≥ −2 compare.

Practise
A
1. Solve and check. e) 7 + 3x < 2x + 9 f) 5(2x – 1) > 5
a) y + 9 < 11 b) 2w + 5 > 3 g) 2(3x – 2) ≤ –4 h) 4(2x + 1) ≥ 2
c) 3x – 4 ≥ 5 d) 2z + 9 ≤ 3 3. Solve. Graph the solution.
e) –3x < 6 f) 4t > 3t – 4 a) 6x + 2 ≤ 4x + 8 b) 4x – 1 > x + 5
g) 2(m – 3) ≤ 0 h) 4(n + 2) ≥ 8 c) 2(x + 3) < x + 4 d) 3(x – 2) > x – 4
2. Solve and check. e) 3(y + 2) ≥ 2(y + 1) f) 3(2z – 1) ≤ 2(1 + z)
a) 2x + 1 > 2 b) 3x + 4 < 2 g) 6x – 3(x + 1) > x + 5
c) 6y + 4 ≤ 5y + 3 d) 4z – 3 ≥ 3z + 2 h) 2(x – 2) – 1 < 4(1 – x) + 1

78 MHR • Chapter 1
4. Solve. 6. Solve.
a) 6 – 2x > 4 a) 2(1.2a + 2.5) > 0.2
b) 8 – 3x < 5 b) 4(1.8 – 0.5x) ≤ 5.2
c) 3y – 8 ≥ 7y + 8 c) 0.75y – 2.6 < 0.25y – 3.1
d) 6 – 3c ≤ 2(c – 2) d) 3(1.3n + 0.3) ≥ 3.5n + 0.1
e) 4(1 – x) ≥ 3(x – 1) e) 1.5(x + 2) + 1 > 2.5(1 – x) – 0.5
f) –2(3 + x) < 4(x – 2) f) 2(1.5x + 1) – 1 < 5(0.2x + 0.3) – 0.5
g) 4x – 3(2x + 1) ≤ 4(x – 3) 7. Solve.
h) 2(3t – 1) – 5t > –6(1 – t) + 7
x+1 x+2
a) <
5. Solve. Graph the solution. 2 3
y w 2 − x 2x + 1
a) +2<1 b)  + 2 > 3 b) ≥
3 2 2 4
2x 3z z+2 z−1
c) +1≥2 d)  + 5 ≤ – 1 c) >+1
3 4 4 5
e) 1.2x – 0.1 > 3.5 f) 0.8x + 2.5 < –2.3 2 − 3x 2 3x − 2
d) +≤
g) 1.9 ≥ 4.9 – 1.5q h) 4.6 – 1.8n ≤ –0.8 2 3 6

Apply, Solve, Communicate

8. Art supplies Katrina has a $50 gift voucher for an arts supply store.
She wants to buy a sketch pad and some markers. Including taxes, a sketch
pad costs $18 and a marker costs $4. Use the inequality 4m + 18 ≤ 50 to
determine the number of markers, m, she can buy.
9. Measurement In ABC, ∠A is obtuse and measures (5x + 10)°.
Solve the inequalities 5x + 10 > 90 and 5x + 10 < 180 to find the possible
values of x.
B
10. Application The cost of an extra large tomato and cheese pizza
is $12.25, plus $1.55 for each extra topping.
a) Let n represent the number of extra toppings. Write an expression,
including n, to represent the total cost of the pizza.
b) Suppose you have $20 you can spend on the pizza. Write and solve an
inequality to find the number of extra toppings you can afford.
11. Geometry ABC is not an acute triangle. ∠B is the B
greatest angle. The measure of ∠B is (4x)°. What are the (4x)°
possible values of x?
A C
1.9 Solving First-Degree Inequalities • MHR 79
12. Weekly earnings Mario earns $15/h after taxes and other deductions.
He spends a total of $75/week on lunches and travel to and from work.
a) Write an expression to represent how much Mario has at the end of
a week in which he works t hours.
b) Write and solve an inequality to determine how many hours Mario must
work to have at least $450 at the end of the week.
13. Baseball caps A college baseball team raises money by selling baseball
caps. The cost of making the caps includes a fixed cost of $500, plus $7 per
cap. The caps sell for $15 each. What is the minimum number of caps the
team can order in one batch and still raise money?
14. Populations Paris and Aylmer are towns in Ontario. From 1991 to
1996, the population of Paris increased from 8600 to 9000. Over the same
period, the population of Aylmer increased from 6200 to 7000. If each
population continues to increase at the same rate as it did from 1991 to
1996, over what time period would you expect the population of Aylmer to
be greater than the population of Paris?
15. Measurement a) What values of x give this rectangle (3x – 7) cm
a perimeter of more than 32 cm?
b) What values of x give the rectangle an area of less
2 cm
than 40 cm2?
c) Communication In part b), does x have a minimum value?
Explain.
16. Modelling problems algebraically Determine the values
of x that give this triangle a perimeter of no more than 15 and 2(x – 1) x
no less than 12.
3x – 1

17. Solve 3(x + 2) − 5 ≠ 2(1 − x) + 4. Graph the solution.

18. Charity auction A charity wants to raise at least $90 000 for hospital
equipment. A car dealer donates a car to be used as a raffle prize. The
charity determines that it can sell 1500 to 2000 tickets. If advertising and
other costs are estimated to be $4500,
a) what should the charity set as the ticket price?
b) what is the range of profit expected?

80 MHR • Chapter 1
19. Inquiry/Problem Solving Write the following inequalities.
Have a classmate solve them.
a)variables on both sides and the solution x ≤ 2
b)brackets on both sides and the solution x > −3
c)denominators of 3 and 2 and the solution x < 0
C
20. Driving times Jason left Hamilton at 10:00 and drove 620 km to
Montréal at an average speed of 80 km/h. Hakim left Hamilton an
hour later and drove to Montréal at an average speed of 100 km/h. Between
what times of the day was Hakim further from Hamilton than Jason was?
21. a) Try to solve the equation 4x + 2(x + 1) = 6x − 2. What is the result?
b) What real values of x satisfy the equation?
c) Try to solve the inequality 4x + 2(x + 1) > 6x − 2. What is the result?
d) What real values of x satisfy the inequality?

22. Technology a) Predict the graph of the following expression, if it is

drawn using a graphing calculator.
y = (x − 3)(x < 2)
Check your prediction using a graphing calculator in the dot mode.
Describe the result.
b) Repeat part a) for the expression y = (2 − x)(x < 5).
c) Repeat part a) for the expression y = (x + 4)(x > −4).

A C H I E V E M E N T Check Knowledge/Understanding Thinking/Inquiry/Problem Solving Communication Application

For what values of x is the triangle possible?

2x + 3 x+7

3x – 5

1.9 Solving First-Degree Inequalities • MHR 81