How to write an inequality

Question

Navy recruits must meet a weight requirement in order to enlist, New recruits could weigh as little as 127 pounds or as much as 241 pounds, depending on their height. Write an inequality that describes the possible weights of the recruits.

Answer 1

Hi Terre,

The appropriate inequality is:

127<=x<=241, where x represents the weight of the recruits.

If you are told "as little as," that means this is the minimum value acceptable, 127 pounds in this case. If you are told "as much as," this is the maximum value acceptable, 241 pounds here. Since the question stated that recruits can weigh those minimum and maximum weights, we use <= (less than or equal to), not just < (less than). I hope this helps.