How do you solve an inequality with a negative coefficient? - Answers

The easiest way is to "flip" the inequality symbol end divide by the negative number:Example:6 < 3 - 3s6 - 3 < 3 - 3s -33 < -3s Method a) Divide by negative coefficient and flip the inequality symbol3/-3 > -3s/-3-1 > s or s< -13 < -3s Method b) Full algorithm, eliminate -3s by adding 3s on both sides3 +3s < -3s + 3s3 + 3s < 03 - 3 + 3s < 0 -33s < -33s/3 < -3/3s < -1 Looks familiar? So basically if you perform the full algorithm (method b) you can understand why we flip the inequality symbol when we have to eliminate a negative coefficient but it is faster just to flip the symbol (method a)