Question

how can you recognize whether a real-world situation should be represented by an equation or an inequality

Answer 1

Real-world situations can be represented by an equation when something is strictly equal to another thing (ex. when the price of a stick of gum is the price as two erasers) Real-world situations can be represented by inequalities when something is not defitively equal to another (ex. say that Sam wanted to buy snacks and water for her soccer team, she can spend no more than $20, here you would use an inequality symbol)

It might be a bit complicated to understand my wording in its entirety, but I hope that I helped!!