Chapter 8.7, Problem 50IP

To determine

Write an inequality to represent the situation and solve the inequality.

Answer to Problem 50IP

  $18\ge -6·x$; The number is at least $-3$ .

Explanation of Solution

Given:

18 is at least the product of − 6 and a number.

Concept Used:

Translate the sentence into an inequality.

18 is at least the product of − 6 and a number.

Let the number be x

For the term at least the inequality sign: $\ge$

The inequality: $18\ge -6·x$

Calculation:

Let the number be x

The inequality: $18\ge -6·x$

  $\begin{array}{l}18\ge -6·x\\ \frac{18}{-6}\le \frac{-6·x}{-6}[\text{Divide}\text{both}\text{sides}\text{by}-6\text{and}\text{reverse}\text{the}\text{inequality}\text{]}\\ -3\le x\end{array}$

Thus, the number is at least $-3$ .