When it's the < sign that means the graph would go -----------------------> this way.
When it's the > sign that means the graph would go <---------------- this way.
You start at whatever your number is ( In this case you start at -17 and go to the left ) which is called -17 is greater than w.
You use the filled in circle line ( . ) ( Starting from -17 ) to the left.
The second problem has a > with a line meaning it's either greater than or equal to. In this case you need a circle line ( 。) w is greater than or equal to -9.