SOLUTION: True or false? The direction of the inequality symbol must be reversed when both sides of an inequality are multiplied or divided by a positive number.

Question 113241: True or false?
The direction of the inequality symbol must be reversed when both sides of an inequality are multiplied or divided by a positive number.

Found 2 solutions by bucky, stanbon:
Answer by bucky(2189) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
False
.
The direction of the inequality symbol must be reversed when both sides of an inequality
are multiplied or divided by a NEGATIVE number.
.
Remember this rule. It will be necessary to apply this rule in solving some inequality
problems.
.
You can look at the rule this way: 3 is less than 5 which means that on the number line
3 is to the left of 5. This is written as 3 < 5
.
Now multiply both sides by -1. The inequality then becomes:
.
-3 < -5
.
But this is NOT true because -3 is to the RIGHT of -5 on the number line and therefore
it is greater than -5. So you have to reverse the direction of the inequality sign and
make the inequality read:
.
-3 > -5
.
Hope this helps you to see the reason the statement you were given is false.
.
Answer by stanbon(75887) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
False
Cheers,
Stan H.
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