Chapter 1: Problem 16
Solve the linear inequality. Express the solution using interval notation and graph the solution set. $$\frac{2}{5} x+1<\frac{1}{5}-2 x$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The solution is \((-\infty, -\frac{1}{3})\).
Step by step solution
01
Clear Fractions by Multiplying by the Denominator
Multiply the entire inequality by 5 to eliminate the fractions. This leads to:\[ 5 \left( \frac{2}{5} x + 1 \right) < 5 \left( \frac{1}{5} - 2x \right) \]This simplifies to:\[ 2x + 5 < 1 - 10x \]
02
Collect Like Terms
Add \(10x\) to both sides of the inequality to collect the \(x\)-terms on one side:\[ 2x + 10x + 5 < 1 \]This simplifies to:\[ 12x + 5 < 1 \]
03
Isolate the Variable Term
Subtract 5 from both sides to isolate the term with \(x\):\[ 12x < 1 - 5 \]This simplifies to:\[ 12x < -4 \]
04
Solve for the Variable
Divide both sides by 12 to solve for \(x\):\[ x < \frac{-4}{12} \]Simplify the fraction:\[ x < -\frac{1}{3} \]
05
Express Solution in Interval Notation
The solution can be expressed in interval notation as:\[ (-\infty, -\frac{1}{3}) \]
06
Graph the Solution Set
To graph the solution, draw a number line. Mark \(-\frac{1}{3}\) with an open circle to indicate that it is not included in the solution set. Shade the line to the left of \(-\frac{1}{3}\) to represent all numbers less than \(-\frac{1}{3}\).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Solving Linear Inequalities
Solving linear inequalities involves finding the range of values for a variable that satisfies the inequality condition. Unlike linear equations, inequalities use symbols such as <, >, ≤, or ≥ instead of an equal sign. Let's take the inequality from the exercise: \[ \frac{2}{5}x + 1 < \frac{1}{5} - 2x \] Here is what you do step-by-step:
- Clear any fractions by multiplying the entire inequality by a common multiple. In the exercise, multiplying by 5 simplifies things nicely.
- Collect like terms to simplify the inequality. Gather variables on one side and constants on the other side.
- Isolate the variable by performing operations to remove constant terms on its side, such as addition or subtraction.
- Solve for the variable like you would in an equation, but remember that if you multiply or divide by a negative number, the inequality sign flips direction.
Interval Notation
Interval notation is a helpful way to describe a set of numbers between two endpoints. In the context of inequalities, it expresses all the solutions compactly and clearly.For the inequality \( x < -\frac{1}{3} \), the solution is all the numbers less than \(-\frac{1}{3}\). Using interval notation, we write this as:\[ (-\infty, -\frac{1}{3}) \] Here's why:
- Parens or Brackets? Use parentheses, \(( )\), to indicate that an endpoint is not included in the solution. Brackets, \([ ]\), would mean it's included. Here, because \(-\frac{1}{3}\) itself is not part of the solution, we use a parenthesis.
- Infinity Signs: Since numbers go on forever, \( -\infty \) represents the infinitely small numbers lower than your smallest bound, with an always-open parenthesis because infinity is not a number you can actually reach.
Graphing Inequalities
Graphing inequalities is a visual method to represent the solution set on a number line. This helps to understand which parts of the line are included in the solution.Here's how to graph \( x < -\frac{1}{3} \):
- Draw a horizontal line to represent the real number line.
- Locate \(-\frac{1}{3}\) on the line. This is where the inequality "cuts off."
- Put an open circle on \(-\frac{1}{3}\) to signify that it's not included in the solution (due to the 'less than' nature of the inequality).
- Shade the line extending to the left of \(-\frac{1}{3}\) to show that all numbers to the left are solutions.