One-Step Inequalities

< and > have open circles

≤ and ≥ have closed circles

Isolate the variable

Use inverse operations to help you isolate the variable

Since the operation in the inequality is subtraction, we will use addition to solve.

Add 5 to both sides on the inequality sign.

5 +3=8

x≤8

If we were to graph this, the circle would be closed!

Since the operation in the inequality is addition, we will use subtraction to solve.

Subtract 4 from both sides on the inequality sign.

9-4=5

x≥5

If we were to graph this, the circle would be closed!

Since the operation in the inequality is multiplication, we will use division to solve.

Divide both sides of the inequality sign by 6

18 divided by 6 equals 3

x≤3

If we were to graph this, the circle would be closed!

Since the operation in the inequality is division, we will use multiplication to solve.

Multiply both sides of the inequality sign by 5.

4 times 5=20

x>20

If we were to graph this, the circle would be open!