Question 132100
{{{- 7x + 2 + x - 10 > -3(x -1)}}}


Step 1: Distribute on the right.
{{{- 7x + 2 + x - 10 > -3x +3)}}}


Step 2: Add 3x to both sides.
{{{- 7x + 2 + x - 10 + 3x > 3)}}}


Step 3: Collect terms on the left.
{{{-3x-8>3}}}


Step 4: Add 8 to both sides.
{{{-3x>11}}}


Step 5: Divide by -3.  When you divide or multiply by a negative number, you have to reverse the sense of the inequality ("greater than" becomes "less than").  This is because we know that 3 > 2 is a true statement, but if you multiply by -1, you get -3 on the left and -2 on the right and now the appropriate symbol is <, because -3 < -2.
{{{x<-(11/3)}}}


Check your answer:  While this process is not conclusive proof that your answer is correct, it is a pretty good sniff test.  Pick a number that is slightly smaller than your answer (smaller because the final inequality is "less than") and substitute it into the original inequality.  If you have solved the inequality correctly, you should end up with a true statement.


{{{-12/3}}} is a bit smaller than {{{-11/3}}}, and {{{-12/3=-4}}}, so let's use that.


{{{- 7(-4) + 2 + (-4) - 10 > -3((-4) -1)}}}
{{{28 + 2 -14> 12+3}}}
{{{16>15}}}:  True statement.


Now pick a number slightly larger than {{{-11/3}}} and see if it results in a false statement.  Let's use {{{-9/3=-3}}}


{{{- 7(-3) + 2 + (-3) - 10 > -3((-3) -1)}}}
{{{21 + 2 -13 > 9+4}}}
{{{10>13}}}: False statement.


Answer checks.