Q&A for How to When to Flip Inequality Sign

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  • Question
    Do you reverse the inequality sign when applying logs?
    I_l1ke_gam3s
    Community Answer
    You reverse the inequality sign only when you multiply or divide by a negative number. For example, if you start with 10 > 4 and then multiply both sides by -2, you would get -20 > - 8 which is not true. So you have to flip the inequality sign to make the statement true: -20 < -8.
  • Question
    What if there is a variable in the equation?
    Community Answer
    It doesn't matter. You apply the same tactics. You'll wind up with a variable in the answer.
  • Question
    Do we change the sign for a positive number (for example, 3x ≤ 15)?
    I_l1ke_gam3s
    Community Answer
    No. You change the sign only when you multiply or divide by a negative number or when you use the reciprocal of the number.
  • Question
    What about -4n < -15 ?
    Community Answer
    If you want to isolate the variable on one side of the inequality, divide both sides by -4. Because you're dividing both sides by a negative number, you must flip the inequality sign: n > -15/-4, or n > 15/4.
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