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Algebra 16 Online
OpenStudy (shreenithaa):

HELP! Explain why you reverse the inequality sign when you multiply or divide both sides of an inequality by a negative number.

OpenStudy (shreenithaa):

i just need the explanation

OpenStudy (amistre64):

hmm, what would you expect to happen when you reverse the direction of a number?

OpenStudy (shreenithaa):

you would expect it to go to the opposite side?

OpenStudy (amistre64):

lets see -3 < 5 but when we multiply both sides by a negative, we are reversing the order of the number, instead of 3 to the left, -(-3) is 3 to the right instead of 5 to the right, -(5) is 5 to the left 3 < -5 is simply not accurate

OpenStudy (shreenithaa):

ooooh thnx

OpenStudy (amistre64):

when we 'switch' the direction of the number, the direction of the inequality is affected. we can make one rule and say it works for the = sign as well ... seeing that reversing an = sign just produces the same symbol again.

OpenStudy (shreenithaa):

that makes more sence i know how to do it but i just needed the explanation thank you

OpenStudy (amistre64):

good luck :)

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