When solving an equation with the variable on each side, it does not really matter which side the variable ends up on once it is isolated. Why do you have to be more careful with inequalities in this situation?

Question

nurali · Answer

You have to be careful with inequalities because there is a big difference between x being greater than a number or less than a number.

aum · Answer

With equality, x = 5 is same as 5 = x.  Both means x is 5.  It does not matter whether x is on the left or the right of the equal sign.

With inequality, it matters which side of the inequality x is on.
x < 5  is NOT the same as 5 < x.  
x < 5 means x is less than 5.
5 < x means x is greater than 5.
So it matters which side of the inequality x is on.