Practice Set · Part 1
Write and Represent Inequalities
Pick up where we left off
Where we left off
Our goal: With my small group, I can write inequalities to represent real-world situations — one step at a time, with support.
The big idea: Use ≥ for "at least," ≤ for "at most," > for "more than," and < for "fewer than" or "less than."
Model to copy — Example · "At least"
- Clue: "The suspect is at least 18 years old." Write an inequality for the suspect's age.
- Choose a letter for the age: a
- Find the key words: at least 18 → 18 or more
- Pick the symbol: ≥
- Write the inequality: a ≥ 18
- a ≥ 18. The age could be 18, 19, 20, or more.
Start here
Use the model to solve the first problem. Then try these quick review questions from earlier lessons.
- 1
Same stepsFinish what the group started. Use the model above, step for step.
Let's do one together:- Clue: "A bag holds fewer than 10 items." Write an inequality for the number of items.
- What does "fewer than" mean? (Less than.)
- Can the bag hold exactly 10 items? (No. 10 is not fewer than 10, so 10 is not included.)
- Which symbol do we use? (<)
- Let n be the number of items. Write the inequality. (n < 10)
My first step is ___ , because the problem asks for ___ .
Show your work - 2
Quick reviewSolve: 6x = 42
- Ax = 7
- Bx = 36
- Cx = 48
- Dx = 252
- 3
Quick reviewSolve: n / 3 = 8
- An = 3
- Bn = 5
- Cn = 11
- Dn = 24
- 4
Quick reviewSolve: 9m = 63
- Am = 7
- Bm = 54
- Cm = 72
- Dm = 567
Practice Set · Part 2
Write and Represent Inequalities
Keep going
Try these on your own
Choose an answer. Then explain how you know.
- 5
Think it throughWhich speed is NOT possible for the getaway car?
- A45 mph
- B60 mph
- C65 mph
- D70 mph
Why is that the answer?
I chose ___ because ___ .
- 6
Think it throughDoes s ≤ 65 include 65 itself?
- ANo — it must be strictly less
- BYes — the 'or equal to' part includes 65
- COnly if the car stops
- DOnly on a highway
How do you know?
I chose ___ because ___ .
- 7
Think it throughWhich inequality means 'at most 65'?
- As ≤ 65
- Bs < 65
- Cs ≥ 65
- Ds > 65
Explain your thinking.
I chose ___ because ___ .
- 8
Back to the modelHow do the words 'at least' and 'at most' change the inequality symbol compared to 'more than' and 'fewer than'?
'At least' uses ≥ instead of > because it means the value ___ be equal to the number, while 'more than' means it must be ___.
Practice Set · Part 3
Write and Represent Inequalities
Words and reasoning
Word bank · Banco de palabras
Use the words
Fill each blank with a word from the bank.
- A math sentence comparing values with <, >, ≤, or ≥ is an ___.
- The symbol > that means one value is larger than another means ___.
- The symbol < that means one value is smaller than another means ___.
- 'At least' means greater than or equal to, and 'at most' means ___ than or equal to.
Explain the thinking
- 9
Find the mistakeRead the mistake. Explain what went wrong, then show the correct step.
The mistake: A common mistake in Write Inequalities is using a strict symbol (> or <) for a phrase that actually includes the boundary value. - 10
Say moreHow do the phrases 'at least' and 'at most' change which inequality symbol you choose compared to 'more than' and 'fewer than'?
'At least' uses ___ because it ___ the number, but 'more than' uses ___.
- 11
Change one numberGo back to Part 1 and pick one problem you already solved. Change one number in it, then solve your new version. Show every step.
If ___ changed to ___ , then ___ .
Show your work
Practice Set · Part 4
Write and Represent Inequalities
Show what you know
Last check
These two come from Lesson 8.3. If they are shaky, that is the lesson to revisit — not this one.
- 12
Show what you knowQuick check — you've got this: Which inequality represents: 'A number n is at least 14'?
- An ≥ 14
- Bn > 14
- Cn ≤ 14
- Dn < 14
Explain your choice.
I know it is ___ because ___ .
- 13
From Lesson 8.3Quick check — you've got this: Solve: w / 8 = 6
- Aw = 0.75
- Bw = 2
- Cw = 14
- Dw = 48
- 14
From Lesson 8.3Check: does 9 work?
- AYes — 7 × 9 = 63
- BNo — 7 × 9 = 56
- CNo — 7 + 9 = 16
- DOnly if kits cost $9
Check your progress
Choose the box that best describes how you feel about each skill.
| I can… | Not yet | Getting there | Got it |
|---|---|---|---|
| I can write inequalities to represent real-world situations — one step at a time, with support. | |||
| I can explain why it works: Use ≥ for "at least," ≤ for "at most," > for "more than," and < for "fewer than" or "less than." | |||
| I can talk through each step out loud using a sentence frame and the lesson's key words. |
One question I want to ask my group next time