Write and Represent Simple Inequalities

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6th Grade Math › Write and Represent Simple Inequalities

Questions 1 - 10
1

A library lets you check out a maximum of 6 books at a time. Let $b$ be the number of books you check out. Which inequality represents this limit?

$b\le 6$

$b<6$

$b\ge 6$

$b>6$

Explanation

This question tests writing inequalities like b ≤ c from constraints, understanding infinite solutions though contextually discrete, with inclusive symbols for maximums. Words to symbols: 'maximum' means ≤ (includes: b ≤ 6 up to 6), similar to 'at most'; infinite in theory but books are integers 0 to 6. Example: 'maximum 6 books' → b ≤ 6, solutions: 0,1,2,3,4,5,6 (finite integers, but conceptually infinite if fractions allowed, though not). Correct is b ≤ 6, matching choice C. Error: using <6 excluding 6, or >6 reversing, or claiming no infinite solutions when reals ≤6 are infinite. Writing: (1) identify 'maximum' as inclusive lesser, (2) to ≤, (3) b ≤ 6; graphing would be ● at 6 shaded left. Infinite solutions technically all reals ≤6, but context integers; mistakes: wrong symbol (≤ vs <), reversal.

2

A science fair poster must be at least 36 inches wide. Let $w$ be the width (in inches). Which number line matches the solutions for $w$?

Closed circle at 36, shaded to the left

Closed circle at 36, shaded to the right

Open circle at 36, shaded to the left

Open circle at 36, shaded to the right

Explanation

This question tests writing inequalities like $w > c$ or $w < c$ from real-world constraints, understanding that they have infinitely many solutions, and representing them on number lines with proper boundary markers (● for included, ○ for excluded) and shading. Constraint words translate to symbols: 'at least' means ≥ (includes boundary, like $w \geq 36$ allows 36 or more), 'at most' means ≤ (includes), 'more than' means > (excludes), 'less than' means < (excludes); inequalities have infinite solutions unlike equations, and on a number line, use closed ● for ≥/≤, open ○ for >/<, shading right for greater and left for lesser. For example, 'at least 36' gives $w \geq 36$ with ● at 36 shaded right, infinite solutions. The correct number line is closed circle at 36 shaded right. A common error is open circle, excluding 36. For graphing: (1) mark 36, (2) closed ●, (3) shade right. Infinite solutions: all ≥36; mistakes include wrong circle or direction.

3

A school club requires members to be at least 13 years old. Let $a$ be a student's age (in years). Which inequality correctly represents this rule?

$a\le 13$

$a>13$

$a<13$

$a\ge 13$

Explanation

This question tests writing inequalities like a > c or a ≥ c from real-world constraints, understanding that inequalities have infinitely many solutions, and representing them on number lines with proper boundary markers such as closed circles (●) for inclusive or open circles (○) for exclusive, along with shading in the correct direction. Constraint words translate to symbols: 'at least' means ≥ which includes the boundary (a ≥ 13 means 13 or more), 'at most' means ≤ which includes it, 'more than' means > which excludes the boundary, and 'less than' means < which excludes it; inequalities have infinite solutions since they are satisfied by infinitely many numbers, unlike equations with finite solutions. For example, 'must be at least 13 years old' translates to a ≥ 13 where a is age, with solutions like 13, 14, 15, and infinitely many more, graphed as a number line with a closed circle at 13 and shading to the right (●======>). The correct inequality here is a ≥ 13, which includes 13 and all greater ages, matching choice B. A common error is using > instead of ≥ for 'at least,' excluding 13 incorrectly, or reversing to < or ≤, or misunderstanding infinite solutions by thinking only whole numbers count when actually all real numbers ≥13 satisfy it. To write this: (1) identify 'at least' as inclusive greater, (2) translate to ≥, (3) write a ≥ 13. For graphing: (1) draw number line, (2) mark 13, (3) use closed ● for ≥, (4) shade right for greater values; remember infinite solutions include all reals ≥13, and in context, ages like 13.5 would theoretically satisfy though practically ages are whole; mistakes include wrong symbol or circle type.

4

A game app requires your device to have more than 2 GB of free space. Let $g$ be the free space (in GB). Which inequality is correct?

$g>2$

$g<2$

$g\ge 2$

$g\le 2$

Explanation

This question tests writing inequalities like g > c or g < c from real-world constraints, understanding that they have infinitely many solutions, and representing them on number lines with proper boundary markers (● for included, ○ for excluded) and shading. Constraint words translate to symbols: 'at least' means ≥ (includes), 'at most' means ≤ (includes), 'more than' means > (excludes boundary, like g > 2 allows above 2 but not 2), 'less than' means < (excludes); inequalities have infinite solutions unlike equations, and on a number line, use closed ● for ≥/≤, open ○ for >/<, shading right for greater and left for lesser. For example, 'more than 2' gives g > 2 with infinite solutions like 2.1, 3, .... The correct inequality is g > 2. A common error is using ≥, including 2 wrongly. To write: (1) identify 'more than' as >, (2) translate to g > 2. Infinite solutions: all >2; mistakes like confusing with at least (≥).

5

Jordan is buying snacks and wants to spend at most $50. Let $x$ be the total cost (in dollars). Which inequality represents this situation?

$x>50$

$x<50$

$x\le 50$

$x\ge 50$

Explanation

This question tests writing inequalities like x > c or x < c from real-world constraints, understanding that they have infinitely many solutions, and representing them on number lines with proper boundary markers (● for included, ○ for excluded) and shading. Constraint words translate to symbols: 'at least' means ≥ (includes boundary, like x ≥ 10 allows 10 or more), 'at most' means ≤ (includes, like x ≤ 50 allows 50 or less), 'more than' means > (excludes), 'less than' means < (excludes); inequalities have infinite solutions unlike equations, and on a number line, use closed ● for ≥/≤, open ○ for >/<, shading right for greater and left for lesser. For example, 'score more than 75' gives x > 75 with solutions like 76, 77, ... infinitely many, graphed as ○ at 75 shaded right. The correct inequality is x ≤ 50, as 'at most 50' includes up to 50. A common error is using < instead of ≤, excluding 50, or reversing to ≥ thinking of minimum. To write it: (1) identify 'at most' as ≤, (2) translate to x ≤ 50. Infinite solutions: all reals ≤ 50; mistakes include confusing at most with more than or wrong symbol.

6

To earn a badge in a video game, you must score more than 75 points. Let $s$ be your score. Which inequality represents all possible scores that earn the badge?

$s<75$

$s\ge 75$

$s\le 75$

$s>75$

Explanation

This question tests writing inequalities like s > c from real-world constraints, recognizing infinitely many solutions, and the difference in symbols for exclusive vs inclusive boundaries. Constraint words to symbols: 'more than' → > (excludes boundary: s > 75 means above 75, not 75), 'at least' → ≥ (includes), 'less than' → <, 'at most' → ≤; infinite solutions as s > 75 includes 75.1, 76, ..., forever. For example, 'score more than 75' → s > 75, solutions: 76, 77, ... infinite integers or reals, graph: open ○ at 75 shaded right (○======>). The correct inequality is s > 75, matching choice C. Errors include using ≥ instead of >, including 75 wrongly, or reversing to <75, or saying finite solutions like only up to 100. Writing: (1) identify 'more than' as exclusive greater, (2) translate to >, (3) write s > 75; graphing would be open ○ at 75, shade right. Infinite solutions: uncountably many reals >75; context: scores above 75 qualify; mistakes: symbol mix-up (> vs ≥), not recognizing infinity.

7

A theme park ride requires riders to be at least 48 inches tall. Let $h$ be a rider's height in inches. Which value is a solution to the inequality?

$h=47$

$h=0$

$h=30$

$h=48$

Explanation

This question tests writing inequalities like x > c or x < c from real-world constraints, understanding infinitely many solutions, and representing on number lines with proper boundary markers (●/○) and shading. Constraint words translate to symbols: 'at least' → ≥ (includes boundary: x ≥ 10 means 10 or more), 'at most' → ≤ (includes: x ≤ 50 means 50 or less), 'more than' → > (excludes boundary: x > 75 means above 75, not including 75), 'less than' → < (excludes: x < 60 below 60); inequalities have infinitely many solutions (x > 10 includes 11, 12, 13, ..., 1000, ...—continues forever, unlike equations with one solution); on a number line, mark boundary at c (for x > 10, mark 10), use closed ● if ≥ or ≤ (includes), open ○ if > or < (excludes), shade right for > / ≥ (greater values), left for < / ≤ (lesser values). For example, 'must have at least 10 tickets' → x ≥ 10 (x = tickets, 10 or more), solutions: 10, 11, 12, ... infinitely many (all non-negative integers ≥ 10), graph: ● at 10 shaded right (●======> ), includes 10 and all greater; or 'score more than 75' → x > 75 (above 75, excludes 75), graph: ○======> at 75 (open circle, shade right), solutions: 76, 77, 78, ... infinite. The correct solution is h = 48 (choice B), as h ≥ 48 includes 48 and taller. Errors are values below 48 like 47, 30, or 0 (choices A, C, D), not satisfying ≥ 48. To check: (1) identify 'at least' as ≥, (2) write h ≥ 48, (3) test values (48 works, 47 does not). Infinite solutions: all reals ≥ 48; mistakes treat it as > or pick non-solutions.

8

A teacher says, “You may check out at most 6 books at a time.” Let $b$ be the number of books checked out. Which value is not a solution to the inequality?

$b=7$

$b=5$

$b=6$

$b=0$

Explanation

This question tests writing inequalities like b > c or b < c from real-world constraints, understanding that they have infinitely many solutions, and representing them on number lines with proper boundary markers (● for included, ○ for excluded) and shading. Constraint words translate to symbols: 'at least' means ≥ (includes), 'at most' means ≤ (includes boundary, like b ≤ 6 allows 6 or less), 'more than' means > (excludes), 'less than' means < (excludes); inequalities have infinite solutions unlike equations, and on a number line, use closed ● for ≥/≤, open ○ for >/<, shading right for greater and left for lesser. For example, 'at most 6' gives b ≤ 6 with solutions 0,1,2,...,6 infinitely many if reals, but here integers. The value not a solution is b=7, as it exceeds ≤6. A common error is thinking 6 is excluded like with <. Infinite solutions: all ≤6; context 'at most 6 books' allows 0 to 6. Mistakes: wrong symbol, confusing with more than.

9

To earn a certificate, a student must score more than 75 points. Let $s$ be the score. Which number line matches the inequality for this rule?

Closed circle at 75, shaded to the right

Open circle at 75, shaded to the right

Closed circle at 75, shaded to the left

Open circle at 75, shaded to the left

Explanation

This question tests writing inequalities like s > c or s < c from real-world constraints, understanding that they have infinitely many solutions, and representing them on number lines with proper boundary markers (● for included, ○ for excluded) and shading. Constraint words translate to symbols: 'at least' means ≥ (includes boundary), 'at most' means ≤ (includes), 'more than' means > (excludes, like s > 75 allows above 75 but not 75), 'less than' means < (excludes); inequalities have infinite solutions unlike equations, and on a number line, use closed ● for ≥/≤, open ○ for >/<, shading right for greater and left for lesser. For example, 'at least 13' gives a ≥ 13 with ● at 13 shaded right, infinite solutions like 13, 14, .... The correct number line is open circle at 75 shaded right, matching s > 75. A common error is using closed circle for >, including 75 wrongly, or shading left for less than. For graphing: (1) mark 75, (2) use open ○ since it excludes, (3) shade right for greater. Infinite solutions: all reals > 75; context like scores can be any real > 75, mistakes include circle type confusion.

10

Let $x$ be any number. Which statement correctly describes the number of solutions to the inequality $x>10$?

It has exactly one solution: $x=11$.

It has exactly 10 solutions.

It has no solutions.

It has infinitely many solutions (all numbers greater than 10).

Explanation

This question tests understanding that inequalities like x > 10 have infinitely many solutions, contrasting with equations, and relating to real-world infinite possibilities. Constraint words aren't direct here, but recall 'more than' → > excludes boundary, and solutions are infinite (x > 10: 10.1,11,... forever). Example: x > 10 has infinite solutions like 11,12,... and all reals in between, graph: ○ at 10 shaded right. Correct statement is it has infinitely many solutions (all >10), matching choice D. Error: thinking it's like equation with one solution, or finite like 10 solutions, or none. For such inequalities: recognize infinite set; graphing reinforces with shading to infinity. Context: any number greater satisfies; mistakes: confusing with equations, not recognizing infinity.

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