Question

How would you graph the solution to 3x ≤ -15?

Draw an open circle on -5 and shade to the left.
Draw an open circle on -5 and shade to the right.
Draw a closed circle on -5 and shade to the left.
Draw a closed circle on -5 and shade to the right.

Answer 1

C) Closed circle at -5; shading to the left

Explanation:

Answer 2

Answer: C) Closed circle at -5; shading to the left

The given inequality
`3x \le -15` solves to
`x \le -5` when we divide both sides by 3. The inequality sign does not change because we didn't divide both sides by a negative number.

The graph has a closed circle at -5 to include this value as part of the solution set. Shading is to the left to indicate values smaller than -5. Overall, the graph says "x can be -5 or smaller". If you wanted to exclude -5, you would say
`x < -5` and use an open circle; but that's not the case here.