Question

Equations and inequalities fall under the umbrella of algebra. Algebra is the category of math where letters, like x and y, are used to represent numbers. These letters are called variables, and the goal of equations and inequalities is to find the value of the variable. An equation is a statement that two expressions or values are equal, shown by an equal sign, which looks like this: =. An inequality is a statement that two expressions or values are not equal, shown by an inequality sign. The four inequality signs look like this: > (“greater than”), < (“less than”), ≥ (“greater than or equal to”) and ≤ (“less than or equal to”).

Which of these is a mathematical inequality?

A
y - 78

B
x = 46 + y

C
4x + 5 = 950

D
2b - 17 > 437

Answer 1

Option D, 2b - 17 > 437, represents a mathematical inequality, which shows that one expression is greater than another, unlike a linear equation that demonstrates equality.

Step-by-step explanation:

The mathematical inequality among the given options is D: 2b - 17 > 437. Inequalities are used to compare expressions and are represented by signs such as > (greater than), < (less than), ≥ (greater than or equal to), and ≤ (less than or equal to). Unlike equations that show equality, inequalities show that one expression is greater than, less than, greater than or equal to, or less than or equal to another expression.

A linear equation such as y = mx + b, where m and b are constants, and x and y are variables, differs from an inequality. In the linear equation, the “slope” of the line represented by “m” indicates how y changes with respect to x, and the “y-intercept” given by “b” marks where the line crosses the y-axis. In contrast, an inequality like 2b - 17 > 437 does not denote exact equality but rather a range of values for b that would make the inequality true.