# Inequalities and Their Graphs03:30 minutes

Video Transcript

## TranscriptInequalities and Their Graphs

This is Timmy. Timmy is the best man at his friend's wedding, but he is running super late. The road he's driving on has a speed limit of 55 miles per hour, which means he should not drive more than 55 miles per hour. This can be represented by an inequality.

### Graphing Inequalities: x < y

Let's take a closer look, how to graph this inequality on a number line. The inequality representing speeds less than 55 mph is x < 55. To graph this on the number line, we draw an open circle at 55 mph and an arrow to the left, which shows all speeds less than 55mph.

However, Timmy could also drive at exactly 55 mph, which is the posted speed. The inequality representing speeds 55mph and under is: x is less than or equal to 55mph. We can show this on the number line by using a closed circle at 55 mph instead of an open one, along with the arrow to the left that represents all speeds less than 55mph. Our graph represents the speeds Timmy could drive.

And remember: we use a closed circle because 55mph is included in the inequality, since Timmy could drive at exactly 55mph.

### Graphing Inequalities: x > y

Timmy really has to hurry because he's got the wedding cake! Could he go faster than 55mph? Not without breaking the law and risking getting a speeding ticket for driving too fast. We can represent speeds that are faster than 55mph with the inequality x > 55.

The graph of this inequality has an open circle at 55mph and arrow to the right. This graph shows the speeds that would earn Timmy a speeding ticket, since all of them are faster than the posted speed limit.

### Graphing Inequalities: x > −y

Now that we understand the main idea of inequality graphs, let's look at another example. This inequality is x > −20.

To graph this, we must include all the numbers greater than, but not equal to, −20. Therefore, we draw an open circle at −20 and an arrow to the right.

If the inequality were x is less than or equal to −20, then we'd need to change two things on the graph.

First, −20 is included in the inequality, so we use a closed circle. Second, this inequality consists of numbers less than or equal to −20, so we use an arrow to the left.

Oh no! Even though Timmy obeyed the speed limit, he was in such a hurry that he didn't notice a bump in the road. Now the cake is ruined!

## Videos in this Topic

Inequalities (6 Videos)

## Inequalities and Their Graphs Übung

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• #### Describe the process of graphing inequalities.

##### Tipps

Any greater than or less than inequality will be graphed with an open circle. This indicates the endpoint value is not included in the solution set.

Any greater than or equal to or less than or equal inequality will be graphed with a closed circle to include the end point value in the solution set.

##### Lösung

Remember, we graph less than inequalities with an open circle and an arrow pointing to the left. Since Timmy must obey the $55$ mph speed limit, he may drive at any speed less than $55$ mph. Our inequality is: $x < 55$.

We graph less than or equal to inequalities with a closed circle and an arrow pointing to the left. Because Timmy can drive exactly $55$ mph, we use a closed circle to include $55$ in our solution. Timmy can also drive slower than $55$ mph, so any value to left of $55$ on the number line will also be included as a part of our solution set. We write this inequality as: $x \leq 55$.

To graph this greater than inequality, we again use an open circle on $55$. This time, however, our arrow will point to the right to include any speed above $55$. The inequality to express this is: $x > 55$.

• #### Translate the words into a mathematical sentence using inequality signs.

##### Tipps

Remember: the open side of the inequality sign points towards the larger quantity. The closed side points towards the smaller quantity.

$3>2$ is a true statement as well as $3 \ge 2$.

##### Lösung

The greater than and less than symbols help us to determine relative size between different quantities.

• When $x$ is greater (larger) than $y$, we use the $x>y$ sign.
• When $x$ is greater than or equal to $y$, we use the $x \ge y$ sign.
• When $x$ is less (smaller) than $y$, we use the $x <y$ sign.
• When $x$ is less than or equal to $y$, we use the $x \le y$ sign.
• #### Explain the meaning of the graphs.

##### Tipps

Remember, when graphing less than or greater than inequalities, use an open circle on the number line to show that the value is not a solution.

When graphing less than or equal to or greater than or equal to inequalities, use a closed circle on the number line to include the value in the solution set.

##### Lösung

The graph of $x < 55$ will have an open circle at $55$ and an arrow pointing to the left to include all numbers less than $55$.

The graph of $x > -20$ will have an open circle at $-20$ and arrow pointing to the right to include all numbers greater than $-20$.

The graph of $x \leq -20$ will have a closed circle at $-20$ and an arrow pointing to the left to show that $-20$ as well as all numbers less than $-20$ are in the solution set.

The graph of $x \leq 55$ will have a closed circle at $55$ and an arrow pointing to the left to show that $55$ as well as all numbers less than $55$ are in the solution set.

• #### Describe each situation using inequalities.

##### Tipps

Keep in mind that a greater than or less than inequality does not include the value in the solution set. If a ride requires that riders are taller than a particular height, anyone of that exact height would be considered too short to ride.

Different rides require that riders are a certain height or taller or are a certain height or shorter; riders who are the exact height would be able to go on these rides. These are examples of a greater than or equal to or a less than or equal to inequality, so the stated height values would be included in the solution sets.

##### Lösung

For the Crazy Eight Roller Coaster, the inequality is $x > 4.5$. The Crazy Eight requires that riders are taller than $4.5$ feet, but not $4.5$ feet exactly. Because Kayla is exactly $4.5$ feet tall, she cannot ride the Crazy Eight because the inequality doesn't include $4.5$ in the solution set. Kayla's height is therefore less than the height required for the Crazy Eight.

The inequality for the Endless Loopster can be written as the inequality: $x \geq 4$. We know that Kalya is $4.5$ feet tall and that Tanisha is $4.75$ feet tall. Both girls can ride the Endless Loopster because both girls are taller than $4$ feet.

To ride the Sky High Ferris Wheel, riders have to be shorter than $6.7$ feet tall. We can write this inequality as: $x < 6.7$. Kayla and Tanisha are both shorter than $6.7$ feet tall , so they can ride the Sky High Ferris Wheel.

• #### Determine all speeds that will not result in a speeding ticket.

##### Tipps

An open circle on the number line excludes a value from the possible solution set. A closed circle includes the value.

Consider the direction of the arrows. Normally, road signs showing speed limits post a maximum but not a minimum speed.

##### Lösung

Of course Timmy wants to be on time, but he doesn't want to receive a speeding ticket. So the question is, how fast can he drive? The road sign shows $65$ mph, so all speeds less than or equal to $65$ are allowed. The graph that represents this situation is on the right. Notice the closed (black) circle? It means this value is included, so it's okay to drive at $65$ mph.

HURRY, TIMMY!!!

• #### Match the correct inequality with the graph.

##### Tipps

Remember, when graphing less than or greater than inequalities, use an open circle to show that the solution set does not include the value.

When graphing less than or equal to or greater than or equal to inequalities, use a closed circle to show that the solution set does include the value.

##### Lösung

To graph $x \leq 5$ on the number line, use a closed circle to include $5$ in the solution set and an arrow pointing to the left to include all numbers less than $5$.

The inequality $x < -15$ is graphed with an open circle at $-15$ and an arrow pointing to the left to include all numbers less than $-15$, but not $-15$.

We graph $x \geq -10$ with a closed circle at -10 and an arrow to the right.

Lastly, we graph the inequality $x> 18$ with an open circle at 18 and an arrow to the right.