Question

The correct answer is y < 18. Let's pretend a student forgot to flip the symbol and they mistakenly believe the solution set is y > 18. They check 21 since 21 is greater than 18, and they think that y has to be greater than 18. When they do their check, what will the final line of the check say? Is this a true statement?

Answer 1

It is wrong

Explanation:

y < 18

This is read as y is less than 18. If the students forgot to flip the symbol and mistakenly believe that y > 18.

y > 18

This is read as y is greater than 18.

There is a difference between the numbers greater or less than 18 .

y must have numbers less than 18 and 21 is greater than 18.

Therefore it is wrong.

But to make it true we can multiply minus with the inequality y > 18

-y > -18

This reverses the inequality sign and it becomes

y< 18

The solution which is required.