Solving "three times a number increased by 4 equals -62" first might make the original problem just a little easier to handle.
three times a number increased by 4 equals -62 => 3n + 4 = -62
Then 3n = -66, and n = -22.
Plot n=-22 on a number line. Now choose a number n smaller than -22 and subst. it into the original inequality. Is the result true or false? If true, then your answer is "n<-22." If false, then your answer is "n>-22."
