Common Core: 7th Grade Math : Solve Word Problems Leading to Inequalities: CCSS.Math.Content.7.EE.B.4b

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Common Core: 7th Grade Math

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Writing Inequalities

Write as an algebraic inequality:

Twenty subtracted from the product of seven and a number exceeds one hundred.

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 7x - 20 \geq 100\)

\(\displaystyle 7(x-20) > 100\)

\(\displaystyle 7x - 20 > 100\)

\(\displaystyle 20-7x \geq 100\)

\(\displaystyle 20-7x > 100\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 7x - 20 > 100\)

Explanation:

"The product of seven and a number " is \(\displaystyle 7x\). "Twenty subtracted from the product of seven and a number" is \(\displaystyle 7x - 20\) . "Exceeds one hundred" means that this is greater than one hundred, so the correct inequality is

\(\displaystyle 7x - 20 > 100\)

Example Question #1 : Writing Inequalities

Write as an algebraic inequality:

Twice the sum of a number and sixteen is no less than sixty.

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 2 (x+16) \neq 60\)

\(\displaystyle 2x+16 > 60\)

\(\displaystyle 2 (x+16) \geq 60\)

\(\displaystyle 2x+16 \geq 60\)

\(\displaystyle 2 (x+16) > 60\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 2 (x+16) \geq 60\)

Explanation:

"The sum of a number and sixteen" is translates to \(\displaystyle x + 16\); twice that sum is \(\displaystyle 2(x+16)\). " Is no less than sixty" means that this is greater than or equal to sixty, so the desired inequality is

 \(\displaystyle 2(x+16) \geq 60\).

Example Question #2 : Writing Inequalities

Write as an algebraic inequality:

Twice the sum of a number and sixteen does not exceed eighty.

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 2x+16 \leq 80\) 

\(\displaystyle 2 (x+16) < 80\)

\(\displaystyle 2 (x+16) \leq 80\)

\(\displaystyle 2x+16 > 80\)

\(\displaystyle 2x+16 \geq 80\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 2 (x+16) \leq 80\)

Explanation:

"The sum of a number and sixteen" translates to \(\displaystyle x + 16\); twice that sum is \(\displaystyle 2 (x+16)\). "Does not exceed eighty" means that it is less than or equal to eighty, so the desired inequality is

\(\displaystyle 2 (x+16) \leq 80\)

Example Question #11 : Writing Inequalities

How would you write the equations: "I can spend no more than \(\displaystyle 20\) dollars when I go to the store today."

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle s\geq20\)

\(\displaystyle s< 20\)

\(\displaystyle s\leq20\)

\(\displaystyle s>20\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle s\leq20\)

Explanation:

The way the sentence is phrased suggests that the person can spend up to \(\displaystyle 20\) dollars but not a penny more. This suggests that \(\displaystyle s\), the amount spend can be \(\displaystyle 20\) but not exceed it. 

So your answer is: \(\displaystyle s\leq20\)

Example Question #1 : Solve Word Problems Leading To Inequalities: Ccss.Math.Content.7.Ee.B.4b

Given the following problem, write the inequality.

Seven less than two times a number is greater than fourteen.

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 2x-7>14-7\)

\(\displaystyle 2x-7< 14\)

\(\displaystyle 2x-7>14\)

\(\displaystyle 7-2x>14\)

\(\displaystyle 2x< 14-7\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 2x-7>14\)

Explanation:

Seven less than two times a number is greater than fourteen.

Let's look at the problem step by step.

If we do not know the value of a number, we give it a variable name.  Let's say x.  So, we see in the problem

Seven less than two times a number is greater than fourteen.

 

So, we will replace a number with x.

Seven less than two times x is greater than fourteen.

 

Now, we see that is says "two times" x, so we will write it like

Seven less than 2x is greater than fourteen.

 

The problem says "seven less" than 2x.  This simply means we are taking 2x and subtracting seven.  So we get

2x - 7 is greater than fourteen

 

We know the symbol for "is greater than".  We can write

2x - 7 > fourteen

 

Finally, we write out the number fourteen.  

2x - 7 > 14

Example Question #1 : Solve Word Problems Leading To Inequalities: Ccss.Math.Content.7.Ee.B.4b

Express the following as an inequality:

Bob's amount of apples (\(\displaystyle a\)) is more than twice the amount of Adam's bananas (\(\displaystyle b\)).

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle a< 2b\)

\(\displaystyle a>2b\)

\(\displaystyle 2a< b\)

\(\displaystyle 2a>b\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle a>2b\)

Explanation:

To solve, you must convert the statement into an expression. The key work is "is". Whatever is on the left of that in the sentence will be on the left side of the expression. The same goes for the right. Thus, \(\displaystyle a\) is on the left and \(\displaystyle 2b\) is on the right.

\(\displaystyle a>2b\)

Example Question #14 : Writing Inequalities

Write the following as a mathematical inequality:

A number is less than or equal to three times the sum of another number and five

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle x\geq3(y+5)\)

\(\displaystyle x\leq3(y-5)\)

\(\displaystyle x< 3(y+5)\)

\(\displaystyle x\leq3(y+5)\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle x\leq3(y+5)\)

Explanation:

Write the following as a mathematical inequality:

A number is less than or equal to three times the sum of another number and five.

Let's begin with

"A number" let's call it x

"...is less than or equal to..."

So far we have:

\(\displaystyle x\leq\)

Now,

"...three times..."

\(\displaystyle 3*\)

"...the sum of another number and five."

\(\displaystyle 3(y+5)\)

So, all together:

\(\displaystyle x\leq3(y+5)\)

Example Question #81 : Expressions & Equations

Write the inequality:  

Two less than twice a number is less than two.

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 2x-2>2\)

\(\displaystyle 2x-2< 2\)

\(\displaystyle 2-2x>2\)

\(\displaystyle 2-2x< 2\)

\(\displaystyle -2-2x>2\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 2x-2< 2\)

Explanation:

Break up the statement by parts.  Let that number be \(\displaystyle x\).

Twice a number:  \(\displaystyle 2x\)

Two less than twice a number:  \(\displaystyle 2x-2\)

Less than two:  \(\displaystyle < 2\)

Combine the parts.

The answer is:  \(\displaystyle 2x-2< 2\)

Example Question #3 : Solve Word Problems Leading To Inequalities: Ccss.Math.Content.7.Ee.B.4b

Write the inequality:  Three less than twice a number is more than three times the number.

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 2x-3>3x\)

\(\displaystyle 2x-3< 3x\)

\(\displaystyle 2x>3x-3\)

\(\displaystyle 3-2x< 3x\)

\(\displaystyle 3-2x>3x\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 2x-3>3x\)

Explanation:

Break up the sentence into parts.  Let the number be \(\displaystyle x\).

Twice a number:  \(\displaystyle 2x\)

Three less than twice a number:  \(\displaystyle 2x-3\)

Three less than twice a number is more than:  \(\displaystyle 2x-3>\)

Three times the number:  \(\displaystyle 3x\)

Combine the terms to form the inequality.

The answer is:  \(\displaystyle 2x-3>3x\)

Example Question #3 : Solve Word Problems Leading To Inequalities: Ccss.Math.Content.7.Ee.B.4b

Write the inequality:  A number less than three is less than three.

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 3-x< 3\)

\(\displaystyle x-3>3\)

\(\displaystyle x-3< 3\)

\(\displaystyle x-3< 3-x\)

\(\displaystyle 3-x>3\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 3-x< 3\)

Explanation:

Let a number be \(\displaystyle x\).  Split up the problem into parts.

A number less than three:  \(\displaystyle 3-x\)

Is less than three:  \(\displaystyle < 3\)

Combine all the terms.

The answer is:  \(\displaystyle 3-x< 3\)

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