Chapter 3.2, Problem 4P

i.

To determine

To find number of possible plants to sell on Friday to meet the goal.

Answer to Problem 4P

Plants sold on Friday is at least 8.

Explanation of Solution

Given:

Number of plants sold on Wednesday = 8

Number of plants sold on Thursday= 9

Calculation:

Let a= number of plants sold on Friday.

Number of plants sold on Wednesday and Thursday = 17

Therefore,

  $\begin{array}{l}17+a\ge 25\\ \Rightarrow a\ge 8\end{array}$

Thus, Plants sold on Friday is at least 8 to reach their goal.

ii.

To determine

To explain the reason for which inequality symbol for all the three phrases is same.

Answer to Problem 4P

All the three phrases have same inequality symbol since all of them mean the same mathematically.

Explanation of Solution

Given:

1. At least
2. No less than
3. Greater than or equal to

Calculation:

For at least we use the inequality symbol of $\ge$ , which means the quantity require must be either equal to or could be more than required but cannot be less.

Similarly, we use $\ge$ for No less than since we want a certain required quantity which cannot be less than the asked quantity.

And, for greater than or equal to it is clear that $\ge$ will be its inequality symbol.

Hence, all the three phrases have same inequality symbol since all of them mean the same mathematically.