Writing an Inequality

P

pnguilland

New member
Joined
Sep 13, 2012
Messages
4
I am working on a story problem - "Find the lesser of two consecutive integers with a sum greater than 16". I think the formula is X+X+1>16. But the answer is x=7.5 which is not correct. What am I missing?
 
You started with an inequality and ended up with an equality. How did that happen?

Keep the inequality and remember that you seek integers.
 
tkhunny said:
You started with an inequality and ended up with an equality. How did that happen?

Keep the inequality and remember that you seek integers.
Click to expand...

But I am supposed to find the lesser of the two consecutive integers. It seems that the formula would be X+(X+1)>16. That simplifies to 2X+1>16. Taking 1 away from both sides makes it 2X>15.
 
First, you must decide what it is that you seek. You have defined two integers 'x' and 'x+1'. Which is the lesser?
 
No, why would you do that? You actually had the solution in the beginning, you just let it scare you at the end. ;)

Divide by 2 to give x > 7.5 -- That's it. Pick a value (an integer in this case) that is greater than 7.5 and you are done.

Go ahead and try x = 7 and see if it works.
 
tkhunny said:
No, why would you do that? You actually had the solution in the beginning, you just let it scare you at the end. ;)

Divide by 2 to give x > 7.5 -- That's it. Pick a value (an integer in this case) that is greater than 7.5 and you are done.

Go ahead and try x = 7 and see if it works.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I see now. Appreciate your help!!:)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top