SOLUTION: what does it mean in the below question when it says the opposite of? the opposite of three times a number is greater than 12? I know it would be 3n is greater than 12 but what d

Question 232048: what does it mean in the below question when it says the opposite of?
the opposite of three times a number is greater than 12? I know it would be 3n is greater than 12 but what do I do for the opposite of???
Answer by ankor@dixie-net.com(22740) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
what does it mean in the below question when it says the opposite of?
the opposite of three times a number is greater than 12?
:
generally the opposite of a number means it's multiplied by -1
If the no. is positive, the opposite is negative
and
If the no. is negative, the opposite is positive
:
-(3n) > 12
we need n to be positive, multiply both sides by -1, this reverses the <> signs
3n < -12
n <
n < -4
:
See if this is true -5 is less than -4, let = -5
-(3(-5)) > 12
+15 > 12, that is true
:
What if n is greater, say n=-2
-(3(-2)) > 12
+6 > 12, NOT true
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