Okay well the 3.4 yard pieces are the constant in which Michael will be cuttings that number stays the same an will not change. The (X) represents the unknown number of how many times the ribbon will be cut. As the whole inequality states the unknown number of pieces that are 3.4 yards long are less than 100 yards.
The variable, x, is the number of pieces of ribbon Michael cuts. Since each piece is 3.4 yards long, 3.4x is the total length of all the pieces together. This total length cannot be more than the 100 yards of ribbon he has, so 3.4x must be less than or equal to 100.
