WRITE A LINEAR INEQUALITY WORD PROBLEMS

To write a linear inequality from word problems, first we have to understand the information given in the question clearly.

Use an inequality to model and solve the following problems

Problem 1 :

Find all pairs of consecutive odd positive integers, both of which are smaller than 18, such that their sum is more than 20.

Solution :

Let "x" be the smaller of the two consecutive odd positive integers. Then, the other odd integer is "x+2" 

It is given that both the integers are smaller than 18 and their sum is more than 20. 

Hence, x + 2 < 18 -------(1)

and x + (x + 2) > 20 -------(2)

From (1) 

 x + 2 < 18

Subtract 2 on both sides

x + 2 - 2 < 18- 2

x < 16

From (2) 

x + (x + 2) > 20

2x + 2 > 20

Subtract 2 on both sides

2x + 2 - 2 > 20- 2

2x > 18

Divide by 2 on both sides

2x/2 > 18/2

x > 9

From this we come to know that the required two numbers are between 9 and 16.We should not take 9 and 16.

x  =  11, 13, 15

So, the required pairs of odd integers are

(11, 13) ,(13, 15) and (15, 17)

Problem 2 :

Find all pairs of consecutive even positive integers, both of which are larger than 8, such that their sum is less than 25.

Solution :

Let "x" be the smaller of the two consecutive even positive integers. Then, the other odd integer is "x + 2" 

It is given that both the integer are larger than 8 and their sum is less than 25.

So, 

x > 8 -------(1) 

x + x + 2 < 25  --------(2) 

From (1)

x > 8

Form (2) 

2 x + 2 < 25

Subtract 2 on both sides

2x + 2 - 2 < 25 - 2

2x < 23

Divide by 2 on both sides, we get

2x/2 < 23/2

x < 23/2

From this we come to know that the required numbers are between 8 and 12.5.We should not take 8 and 12.5.

x  =  10

So, the required pair is 

(10, 12)

Problem 3 :

In the first four papers each of 100 marks, John got 95, 72, 73, 83 marks. If he wants an average of greater than or equal to 75 marks and less than 80 marks, find the range of marks he should score in the fifth paper. 

Solution :

John scores x marks in the fifth paper. Then,

75 ≤  [(95 + 72 + 73 + 83 + x)/5] < 80

75  ≤  (323 + x)/5 < 80

Multiply by 5 

75(5) ≤  (323 + x) < 80(5)

375 ≤  (323 + x) < 400

Subtract 323

375 - 323 ≤  (323 + x - 323) < 400 - 323

52 ≤  x  < 77

So, John must score between 52 and 77 marks.

Problem 4 :

A man wants to cut three lengths from a single piece of board of length 91 cm. The second length is to be 3 cm longer than the shortest and third length is to be twice as the shortest. What are the possible lengths for the shortest board if third piece is to be at least 5 cm longer than the second ?

Solution :

Let the length of the shortest piece be x cm, Then the lengths of the second and third piece are x + 3 and 2x cm respectively.

x + (x + 3) +  2x  ≤ 91 -----(1) 

and 2x  ≥ (x + 3) + 5 -----(2) 

From (1) 

2x + 3 + 2x  ≤ 91

4x + 3  ≤ 91 

Subtract 3 on both sides 

4x + 3 - 3  ≤ 91 - 3

4x  ≤ 88

Divide by 4 on both sides

(4x)/4 ≤ 88/4

x ≤ 22

From (2)

 2x  ≥ (x + 3) + 5  

2x  ≥ x + 8

Subtract x on both ides

2x - x ≥ x - x + 8

x ≥ 8

8 ≤ x ≤ 22

So, the shortest piece must be at least 8 cm long but not more than 22 cm long.

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