How do you solve #4+ 2( x - 7) < - 18#?

1 Answer
May 15, 2018

#x < -4#

Explanation:

Solving inequalities is similar to solving equations.

First, use the distributive property to simplify #color(blue)(2(x-7))#:
#color(blue)(2(x-7) = 2x - 14)#

Put that back into the inequality:
#4 + 2x - 14 < -18#

Combine #color(blue)(4 - 14)#:

#-10 + 2x < -18#

Add #color(blue)10# to both sides:
#-10 + 2x quadcolor(blue)(+quad10) < -18 quadcolor(blue)(+quad10)#

#2x < -8#

Divide both sides by #color(blue)2#:
#(2x)/color(blue)2 < -8/color(blue)(2)#

#x < -4#

This can be said as "#x# is less than #-4#.

Hope this helps!