Question

Solve 3x + 7 > -x - 9. Show each step of your work.

Answer 1

x > -4

Explanation:

Inequalities like these are solved the same way equations are solved, except when multiplying both sides you flip the less than/greater than sign:

3x + 7 > -x -9

3x + 7 - 7 > -x -9 -7 Subtract 7 from both sides

3x > -x -16

3x + x > -x -16 + x add x to both sides

4x > -16

`(4x)/(4)` >
`(-16)/(4)` divide both sides by 4

x > -4

In this case the inequality sign did not have to be flipped since we never multiply both sides by a negative number.