Solve the inequality state the solution
set in interval notation and sketch its graph
< - w <
Clear of fractions by multiplying all terms on
all three sides by the LCD of 15
15 < 15 - 15w < 15
-9 < 3 - 2w < -5
Solve for w in the middle: Add -3 to all three sides:
-9 < 3 - 2w < -5
-3 -3 -3
--------------------
-12 < -2w < -8
Divide all three sides by the coefficient of w, which is -2.
Remember that dividing through an inequality by a negative
causes the inequality symbols to switch directions:
> >
or simplifying:
6 > w > 4 <-----solution
which is the same as
4 < w < 6 <-----solution
whose number line graph is
-------------------o=====o--------------- <-----graph
-2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
The interval notation is an abbreviation for that graph:
(4, 6) <-----solution in interval
notation
Edwin