Chapter 8: Problem 1
Solve each inequality. Check your solution. $$2 x<8$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The solution is \(x < 4\).
Step by step solution
01
Understand the inequality
The inequality given is \(2x < 8\). The goal is to find the values of \(x\) for which this inequality holds true.
02
Isolate the variable
To solve \(2x < 8\), divide both sides of the inequality by 2 to isolate \(x\). This gives \(x < \frac{8}{2}\).
03
Simplify the right side
Simplify \(\frac{8}{2}\) to obtain \(x < 4\).
04
Interpret the solution
The solution \(x < 4\) means that any value of \(x\) that is less than 4 satisfies the inequality. This implies that the solution is the interval \((-\infty, 4)\).
05
Check the solution
Choose a number less than 4, for instance, \(x = 3\). Substitute it back into the original inequality: \(2(3) < 8\). This simplifies to \(6 < 8\), which is true, confirming our solution. Similarly, if you choose a number equal to or greater than 4, the inequality will not hold.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Inequality Isolation Steps
To solve an inequality such as \(2x < 8\), one critical approach is the isolation of the variable. The aim is to have \(x\) by itself on one side of the inequality sign. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to isolate \(x\):
- Start with the inequality: \(2x < 8\).
- Perform operations that simplify the equation. In this case, divide both sides by 2 to cancel out the coefficient of \(x\).
- After dividing, you’ll get \(x < \frac{8}{2}\).
- Simplify further to reveal \(x < 4\). This means all values of \(x\) that are less than 4 satisfy the inequality.
Checking Inequality Solutions
Once you've isolated the variable and found a solution, it's important to check whether the solutions indeed satisfy the original inequality. This verification step is simple yet crucial:
- Choose a value from your solution set. If \(x < 4\), select any number less than 4, say \(x = 3\).
- Substitute this number back into the original inequality: \(2(3) < 8\).
- Calculate the left side to check if the inequality holds: \(6 < 8\), which is true.
- Optionally, try a number not in the solution set, like \(x = 4\). Here, \(2(4) = 8\), which does not satisfy the inequality \(2x < 8\).
Interpreting Inequality Solutions
Interpreting the solution of an inequality involves understanding what the solution set represents. Once you obtain \(x < 4\), here's how to interpret it effectively:
- View the inequality as an interval: \(( -\infty, 4)\) represents all real numbers less than 4.
- Graphically, you can illustrate this on a number line, shading to the left of 4 and using an open circle at 4 to show it’s not included.
- In word problems, relate it to the context given. For example, if \(x\) represents the maximum number of items you can buy, it would mean you can buy fewer than 4 items.