Question

A number b times -16 is greater than 5

Answer 1

Write the Inequality

A number b times -16 is greater than 5.

A number b is a variable... b.

Times means multiply.

-16 is what you are multiplying b by.

Is greater than means the greater than symbol.

5 is what the past statements are greater than.

So this is the inequality.

-16b > 5

Solve the Inequality

You need to isolate b.

To do this, divide each side by -16. You do this because b is being multiplied by -16. You know that any number divided by that number equals 1, canceling the number.

-16b ÷ -16 = b

5 ÷ -16 = -5/16

So you get b > -5/16

So to make the inequality true, b must be more than -5/16.

Or as an inequality...

b > -5/16