An inequality is when you compare two things and one is greater than the other, while for an equation both sides of the equation are balanced. You would use an inequality like when you need to find the minimum you need to achieve for something, like how much you have to save. Ex. Y is greater than or eqaul to 5x + 8 for your trying to pay off rent. You need a payment of 8 dollars at the start. After that, you need to pay 5 dollars a day. Y represents how much you have to earn in order to have enough, or more than enough money to pay of rent.