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Reading It Backwards

Part of the Inequalities & Absolute Value section of Coddy's Algebra journey. Lesson 3 of 61.

$5 > x$ says "5 is greater than $x$ ". So $x$ is smaller than 5. It means the same as $x < 5$ .

$5 > x, which is x < 5: a hollow dot at 5 and an arrow to the left$

To write $x$ first, swap the two sides and turn the sign around. The small end of the sign always points at the smaller side.

Challenge

Draw $-2 \le x$ on the number line. The line starts with a hollow dot at 0 and the arrow pointing right. Drag the dot to the edge number. Then set the arrow and the dot. The arrow points to the side where the answers are. A filled dot means the edge number is an answer too. A hollow dot means it is not.

Try it yourself

-2 \le x

Show the solutions

All lessons in Inequalities & Absolute Value

1What an Inequality Is

The Four Signs A Picture on a LineReading It BackwardsRecap: What an Inequality Is

4Two-Step Inequalities

Two Steps Subtract, Then Flip With a Fraction A Bracket on the Way Recap: Two-Step Inequalities

7Between Two Numbers

Two Conditions at Once Solving a Chain Two Moves on All Parts When the Chain Flips Chains with Fractions Recap: Between Two Numbers

10Absolute Value Inequalities

Less Than: Between Between, Shifted Greater Than: Outside Outside, Shifted Isolate, Then Split Always or Never Recap: Absolute Inequalities

2Adding and Subtracting

Add to Both Sides Solve, Then Draw Recap: Adding and Subtracting

5Variables on Both Sides

x on Both Sides Gather Toward the Larger Brackets First Always True, Never True Recap: Variables on Both Sides

8One or the Other

Either Works Solving Each Part And versus Or Recap: One or the Other

11From Words to Inequalities

At Least, At Most More Than A Budget That Shrinks Two Limits Recap: From Words