Final answer:
An inequality is different from an equation because it uses inequality symbols to show a comparison between expressions. Examples of four ways an inequality can be written are given, along with an explanation of their graph on a number line. The graph of equations on a number line is also described, with examples provided.
Step-by-step explanation:
An inequality is different from an equation because:
- An inequality uses inequality symbols (such as <, >, ≤, ≥) to compare two expressions that are not necessarily equal, while an equation uses an equal sign (=) to show that two expressions are equal.
- An inequality has an infinite number of solutions, while an equation typically has a finite number of solutions.
- An inequality represents a range of possible values, while an equation represents a specific value.
Four ways an inequality can be written are:
- x < 5 (less than)
- y ≥ 3 (greater than or equal to)
- z > -2 (greater than)
- w ≤ 7 (less than or equal to)
The graph of each inequality on a number line:
- The graph of x < 5 would be an open circle on 5 and an arrow pointing to the left.
- The graph of y ≥ 3 would be a closed circle on 3 and an arrow pointing to the right.
- The graph of z > -2 would be an open circle on -2 and an arrow pointing to the right.
- The graph of w ≤ 7 would be a closed circle on 7 and an arrow pointing to the left.
The graph of an equation on a number line:
- The graph of x = 4 would be a closed circle on 4.
- The graph of y = -2 would be a closed circle on -2.
- The graph of z = 0 would be a closed circle on 0.
- The graph of w = 8 would be a closed circle on 8.