A Picture on a Line

A range of numbers is easiest to see on a number line. The solutions of x > 2 are all the numbers to the right of 2. So the picture is a dot at 2 with shading that runs to the right without end. The dot at 2 is open (hollow), because 2 itself is not a solution. 2 is not greater than 2.

x > 2: an open dot at 2, shaded to the right

The picture of x < -1 goes the other way. Its solutions are the numbers smaller than -1, so you draw an open dot at -1 and shade to the left.

x < -1: an open dot at -1, shaded to the left

The sign and the shading point the same way. When x is written first, the shading goes in the direction the sign points.