*Step 1 - Put in the first member all the terms that have unknown.
7 < 2m - 23
The term 2m is on the second limb and should be placed on the first limb. So, change 2m of member by also changing its sign:
-2m + 7 < - 23
**Step 2 - Put in the second member all the terms that do not have unknown.
Repeat the procedure from the previous step to transfer terms that have no unknown from the first to the second member. In the example below (continuation of the previous example), note that + 7 is a non-unknown term. Therefore, it should be placed on the second member. While doing this, remember the rule: Changed membership, changed sign.
-2m < - 23 - 7
***Step 3 - Simplify expressions on each member.
For this step, just carry out the operations indicated in the equation. To do so, remember how sums of integers must be made.
- 2m < - 23 - 7
- 2m < - 30
It should be simplified, since both terms are negative, simplifying changing the signs of terms and operation.
- 2m < - 30. (- 1)
2m> 30
****Step 4 - Isolate the unknown in the first limb.
In some cases, as in the example above, the unknown appears to be multiplied (or divided) by any number. To isolate the unknown in the first member of the equation, consider the following rule: If the number is multiplying the unknown, pass it to the second member by dividing. If the number is dividing the unknown, pass it to the second member by multiplying. For example:
2m> 30
Notice that the unknown x is being multiplied by 2. Therefore, 2 must pass to the second member by dividing. So the fourth step will have the following result:
