What happens when dividing by a negative in an inequality?

  • Topic:
  • Thread starter Thread starter Yazan975
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Range
Join the discussion
Registration is free. Start your own thread to ask a follow-up.
4 replies · 2K views
Yazan975
Messages
30
Reaction score
0

Attachments

  • Screen Shot 2018-09-21 at 1.50.32 PM-min.png
    Screen Shot 2018-09-21 at 1.50.32 PM-min.png
    47.2 KB · Views: 157
Mathematics news on Phys.org
-10 < 2x + 3 < -1
-13 < 2x < -4
-13/2 < x < -2
 
-c < ax + b < -d

Easier to work with (after re-arranging):
c > -(ax + b) > d
 
Wilmer said:
-c < ax + b < -d

Easier to work with (after re-arranging):
c > -(ax + b) > d
But when you get to the step c + b > -ax > d + b you have to divide by -a anyway and the >s flip again. I think it's good in that you get that extra step (to stress the point of what happens when you divide by a negative) but greg1313's method is slightly more efficient.

-Dan
 
topsquark said:
But when you get to the step c + b > -ax > d + b you have to divide by -a anyway and the >s flip again. I think it's good in that you get that extra step (to stress the point of what happens when you divide by a negative) but greg1313's method is slightly more efficient.
-Dan
Ya...agree...BUT li'l ole me prefers ? > ? > ? to ? < ? < ?
A bit like reading left to right instead of backwards!
Anyway, not important...