–3x – 5 = –20

Question

–3x – 5 ≤ –20

Answer 1

-3x - 5 ≤ -20                  Given

-3x - 5 + 5 ≤ -20 + 5       Add 5 to each side

-3x ≤ -15                       Simplify

-3x/(-3) ≥ -15/(-3)         Divide by -3 (Always reverse direction of inequality when dividing by a negative)

x ≥ 5                             Simplify

 

Answer 2

Solve inequalities very similarly to how you solve equations

-3x - 5 ≤ -20                       +5 to both sides
-3x ≤ -15                            ÷-3 to both sides (note that when dividing or multiplying both sides of an inequality by a negative number, you must flip the inequality sign)

x ≥ 5