What If I settle It, yet "x" Is top top The Right?

No matter, just swap sides, but reverse the sign so it still "points at" the correct value!


Note: "x" can be on the right, yet people usually favor to watch it ~ above the left hand side.

You are watching: If you multiply by a negative in an inequality does the sign change

Multiplying or separating by a Value

Another thing we carry out is multiply or divide both sides by a value (just together in Algebra - Multiplying).

But we have to be a bit more careful (as you will certainly see).

confident Values

Everything is well if we desire to multiply or division by a hopeful number:


Example: 3y
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When we multiply or division by a negative number we must reverse the inequality.

Why?

Well, just look in ~ the number line!

For example, indigenous 3 come 7 is an increase, however from −3 to −7 is a decrease.

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See how the inequality sign reverses (from ) ?


Multiplying or separating by Variables

Here is another (tricky!) example:


Example: bx 3

But us don"t understand if b is hopeful or negative, therefore we can"t prize this one!


To help you understand, imagine replacing b through 1 or −1 in the example of bx if b is 1, climate the prize is x however if b is −1, then us are solving −x 3

The answer could be x 3 and we can"t choose due to the fact that we don"t understand b.

See more: What Is The Difference Between Clams And Oysters And Clams (With Table)

So:

Do not shot dividing by a variable to deal with an inequality (unless you know the variable is constantly positive, or constantly negative).


A bigger Example


Example: x−32 x−32 ×2 6−2x3 > x > −3

And that is the solution!

But to be neat the is better to have actually the smaller sized number ~ above the left, larger on the right. So let united state swap them end (and make sure the inequalities allude correctly):

−3 x 6


Summary

Many straightforward inequalities have the right to be fixed by adding, subtracting, multiplying or splitting both sides till you are left v the variable on the own. But these points will readjust direction the the inequality: multiplying or dividing both political parties by a negative number Swapping left and also right hand political parties Don"t multiply or division by a variable (unless you know it is constantly positive or constantly negative)