Anytime you multiply or divide both sides of the inequality, you must “flip” or change the direction of the inequality sign. This means that if you had a less than sign <, it would become a greater than sign >.
What are the rules of inequalities?
Rules for Solving Inequalities
- Add the same number on both sides.
- From both sides, subtract the same number.
- By the same positive number, multiply both sides.
- By the same positive number, divide both sides.
- Multiply the same negative number on both sides and reverse the sign.
Does the inequality sign change when dividing by a positive?
Dividing each side of an inequality by a positive number does not change the direction of the inequality symbol. If a < b and if c is a negative number, then a · c > b · c. Multiplying each side of an inequality by a negative number reverses the direction of the inequality symbol.
