t
Got It? 2. W hat are th e solutions of - y < — 1? G raph an d check.
Solving inequalities using division is sim ilar to solving inequalities using m ultiplication.
If you divide each side of an inequality by a negative num ber, you n ee d to reverse the
direction of th e inequality symbol.
Key Concep t Division Property of Inequality
Let a, b, and c be real n u m b ers w ith c > 0. Ex a m p l e s
If a > b, th e n § > 6 > 3, so | > |.
If a < b, then § < c- 9 < 12, so | < y.
Let a, b, and c b e r e a l n u m b e r s w i t h c < 0.
If a > b, then § < 6 > 3, so ^ < J j.
If a < b, then f > §. 9 < 12, SO y g >
These properties are also tru e for inequalities using > a n d <.
k ...J
Dividing by a Positive Num ber
Think
What types of
solutions make sense
for this situation?
O nly w h o le -n u m b e r
solutions make sense
because you cannot w alk
p a rt o f a dog.
Par t - Ti m e Jo b You walk dogs in your neighborhood after school. You earn $4.50 per
dog. How many dogs do you need to walk to earn at least $75?
o i. Rel at e co st p e r , ^ t i m e s n u m b e r. c , is at least t l. a m o u n t. ,
dog of dogs wanted
Def ine Let d = th e n u m b e r of dogs.
W rit e 4.50 • d 75
4.50d > 75
4.50d.
4.50 =
75
4.50
d> 16|
Divide each side by 4.50.
Simplify.
However, since d represents th e n u m b e r of dogs, it m u st b e a positive integer. So you
m u st walk at least 17 dogs to ea rn at least $75.
Got It? 3. a. A stu d en t club plans to b uy food for a soup kitchen. A case of vegetables
costs $10.68. The club can sp en d at m ost $50 for this project. W hat are the
possible n u m b ers of cases th e club can buy?
b. Reasoning In Problem 3, why do you ro u n d to th e greater
w hole n um ber?
180 Ch ap t er 3 So lvin g In eq u alit ies