The inequality x < 9.7 tells us x needs to smaller than 9.7.
A number like 5 will be fine. Because 5 < 9.
But someone like 10 won't be fine.
Because 9 < 10.
Even 9.7 won't be suffice.
Because 9.7 < 9.7 does not make sense. If it was 9.7 <= 9.7 then it would be fine.