Anya writes the inequality 3 5. Assuming her first inequality is written correctly, which best describes why Anya’s second inequality is incorrect?

Question

Anya writes the inequality 3 < x < 5 to describe the percent of her paycheck that she donates to charity. To represent the percent of her paycheck that she cannot donate, she writes the inequality 3 > y > 5. Assuming her first inequality is written correctly, which best describes why Anya’s second inequality is incorrect?

tkhunny · Answer

3 < x < 5

Split it up

3 < x and x < 5

Do that with the other one.

anonymous · Answer

wait what

tkhunny · Answer

Split it up...

3 > y > 5

Write that as TWO inequalities connected by "AND".

anonymous · Answer

oh wait you mean 3>y and y>5

tkhunny · Answer

Yes.  Can you think of any numbers that are BOTH less than 3 AND greater than 5?

anonymous · Answer

i can't think of any

tkhunny · Answer

There are none.  Anya's construction is nonsensical.

anonymous · Answer

wait so is it this 

If the first statement is an "and" statement, the second should be an "or" statement.

tkhunny · Answer

??

a < b < c MEANS "a < b AND b < c"