Unit 7 · Standard 6.EE.8
Write Inequalities
Key Vocabulary Level 1 support
Picture first, then the word, then a plain-language meaning. Say each word out loud.
x > 5 means x can be 6, 7, 8, ... — any number greater than 5
Inequality
A math sentence that compares two sides with <, >, ≤, or ≥.
8 > 3 — eight is larger than three
Greater than
The > sign, showing one number is bigger.
2 < 7 — two is smaller than seven
Less than
The < sign, showing one number is smaller.
'At least 10 players' → p ≥ 10 (could be 10, 11, 12, ...); 'At most 5 tries' → t ≤ 5 (could be 5, 4, 3, ...)
At least / At most
'At least' means ≥. 'At most' means ≤.
Key Ideas & Notes
- Detective Navarro is narrowing down suspects.
- A witness says the suspect is at least 18 years old.
- The detective writes the inequality a ≥ 18, where a is the suspect's age.
- How does this help eliminate suspects?
- Match each phrase to the correct inequality symbol. Drag each phrase card into the matching symbol category.
Think About It
- What does 'at least 18' mean about the suspect's age?
- Could the suspect be exactly 18?
- How is an inequality different from an equation?
My Notes
Guided Examples
Example 1
Which inequality represents: 'The temperature is less than 40 degrees'?
Solution: 'Less than' means <, so the inequality is t < 40.
Answer: A. t < 40
Example 2
Which inequality represents: 'You must be at least 48 inches tall to ride'?
Solution: 'At least' means greater than or equal to, so h ≥ 48.
Answer: A. h ≥ 48
Example 3
Which inequality represents: 'A store can hold no more than 75 people'?
Solution: 'No more than' means less than or equal to, so p ≤ 75.
Answer: A. p ≤ 75
Write About the Math The Writing Revolution
I can explain my inequality using the words inequality, greater than, less than, and at least / at most.
1. Kernel Sentence subject + verb
Model: Inequality is a math sentence that compares two sides with <, >, ≤, or ≥.Desigualdad es una oración matemática que compara dos lados con <, >, ≤ o ≥.
Write a kernel sentence about inequality. Use a subject and a verb.Escribe una oración base sobre desigualdad. Usa un sujeto y un verbo.
2. Sentence Expansion because · but · so
Kernel: Inequality matters in mathDesigualdad importa en matemáticas
Expand the kernel three ways. Add a reason, a contrast, and a result.
Inequality matters in math because ___.Desigualdad importa en matemáticas porque ___.
Inequality matters in math, but ___.Desigualdad importa en matemáticas, pero ___.
Inequality matters in math, so ___.Desigualdad importa en matemáticas, entonces ___.
3. Sentence Types 4 ways to write a math idea
Tell one true fact about inequality.Di un hecho verdadero sobre inequality.
Inequality ___.
Ask a question about inequality.Haz una pregunta sobre inequality.
How does ___ ?¿Cómo ___ ?
Show excitement about inequality.Muestra entusiasmo sobre inequality.
Wow, ___ !¡Guau, ___ !
Tell a partner what to do with inequality.Dile a un compañero qué hacer con inequality.
First, ___ .Primero, ___ .
4. Explain Your Reasoning use a sentence starter
An inequality means ___.Una desigualdad significa ___.
My inequality is ___.Mi desigualdad es ___.
I see this when ___.Veo esto cuando ___.
Try It
Solve on your own. Check the answer key when you are done.
1. Which inequality represents: 'The speed limit is more than 25 mph'?
- s > 25
- s ≥ 25
- s < 25
- s = 25
2. A parking garage charges if your stay is more than 2 hours. Which inequality represents times t that are charged?
- t > 2
- t ≥ 2
- t < 2
- t ≤ 2
Stretch Your Thinking Level 2 enrichment
Challenge task — explain your reasoning in full sentences.
Write two different real-world situations: one that uses > and one that uses ≥. Explain why the situations need different symbols even though both mean 'bigger.'
Sentence starter: Situation 1 (>): ___. This uses > because ___. Situation 2 (≥): ___. This uses ≥ because ___. The difference is that ≥ includes ___ while > does not.
Reflect — Exit Ticket
Which inequality represents: 'A number n is at least 14'?
- n ≥ 14
- n > 14
- n ≤ 14
- n < 14
Answer Key & Teacher Guide
- Try It 1: A. s > 25 — 'More than' means strictly greater than, so s > 25.
- Try It 2: A. t > 2 — 'More than 2 hours' means strictly greater than: t > 2. Exactly 2 hours is not charged.
- Exit Ticket: A. n ≥ 14 — 'At least 14' means 14 or greater, so n ≥ 14.
Writing (TWR) — what to look for
- Kernel sentence: A complete sentence needs a subject and a verb. Example: Inequality is a math sentence that compares two sides with <, >, ≤, or ≥.
- Expansion: because gives a reason, but shows a contrast or exception, so shows a result. Answers vary; each must keep the kernel idea and add the correct kind of detail.
- Sentence types: Statement ends with a period, question with "?", exclamation with "!", and a command starts with an action verb (a "bossy" verb).