What does ≥ mean in an inequality?

The inequalities contain four operators, which are: less than {eq}<, {/eq} less than or equal to {eq}<=, {/eq} greater than {eq}>, {/eq} and greater than or equal to {eq}>=. {/eq}

The greater than or equal to means the value is greater than the given value and the given value is included. It is also denoted by the term at least.

The less than or equal to means the value is lesser than the given value and the given value is also included. It is also denoted by the term no more than.

In math, an inequality shows the relationship between two values in an algebraic expression that are not equal. Inequality signs can indicate that one variable of the two sides of the inequality is greater than, greater than or equal to, less than, or less than or equal to another value.

Whether a sign is greater than or less than depends on the direction of the inequality sign. If the open part of the sign is turned towards the left side, >, the value on the left side of the sign is greater than the right. If it's turned towards the right side, <, the value on the left is less than the value on the right.

Some inequality symbols will have a line underneath them: ≥ and ≤. This means that the two sides of an inequality expression could potentially be equal. However, not enough is known to prove this.

What does ≥ mean in an inequality?

As you can see in the mathematical expression above, x, is greater than or equal to 7. Because x can be many values, saying it’s equal to 7 wouldn't be a true statement. That's why we must use

What does ≥ mean in an inequality?
.

Inequalities on a Number Line

Whenever a linear inequality has a variable and a real number, you can express it on a number line. Here's how to use number lines to show x is greater than positive number 3 and less than or equal to negative number -1:

What does ≥ mean in an inequality?

What does ≥ mean in an inequality?

What does ≥ mean in an inequality?

What does ≥ mean in an inequality?

Any number line showing a linear inequality must have an open circle for < and > and a closed circle for ≤ and ≥.

Using Interval Notation

When we know an inequality is between two numbers, you can write it in interval notation. Interval notation expresses the location range of an inequality by using brackets for ≥ and ≤ signs and parentheses for < and > signs.

Here's how you would show that y is less than or equal to -4 and 2 is greater than y:

What does ≥ mean in an inequality?

What does ≥ mean in an inequality?

As you can see, we use an open circle to show that y is less than 2 and a closed circle to show that y is equal to or greater than -4. In linear notation, this is written as:

Linear Notation: [-4, 2)

Answering ‘What Is an Inequality?’

Understanding the concept of inequalities allows us to better understand linear equations and the number line. When we know that a variable, like x or y, is within a specific range of values, we can represent it by shading that range of numbers on the number line.

On this line, we use an open circle for greater than or less than values and a closed circle for equal to or less than and equal to or greater than values. If we know the inequality is between two numbers, we can use brackets and parentheses to show the possible range of the inequality’s values in linear notation.

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    The authors

    What does ≥ mean in an inequality?

    Eugene Lee

    Basics on the topic Inequality Symbols: <, >, ≤, ≥

    Inequality symbols are a shorthand notation used to compare different quantities. There are four inequality symbols “greater than”, “less than”, “greater than or equal to”, and “less than or equal to”. So, for instance, the sentence “5 is greater than 2” can be written as 5>2. A good way to remember which number is greater is to think of each symbol like a mouth; the mouth will always eat the larger of the two numbers being compared. Learn about inequality symbols by helping Christopher the vampire pack the maximum number of supplies he needed for his trip to California. Common Core Reference: CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.6.EE.B.8

    Transcript Inequality Symbols: <, >, ≤, ≥

    Christopher the Vampire is a foodie and he needs a fresh, new story for his blog: The Vegetarian Vampire. He’s working on a new piece, so he wants to go to a place where his favorite fruit grows: the blood orange. He read on Vampedia that blood oranges grow in California, which is perfect because he’s always wanted to visit the underground gardens there. To help him pack, he uses his knowledge of inequality symbols. And he has all his supplies laid out in his bed? Capes, check. Hair gel, check. Blood orange juice, check. But how much of this stuff is he allowed to carry with him on the plane? Let's take a look at the number line.

    Use of inequalities

    Christopher the Vampire’s trip will last fewer than 15 days. For inequailties with 'less than', we use this sign <. Furthermore, for this trip, Chris can't take more than 1000ml of blood orange juice on the plane. For inequalities like 'less than or equal to' we use this symbol: ≤. Our foodie vampire also needs to pack more than 1 bottle of hair gel, since he ran out during his last vacation. Let's draw this on the number line. For inequalities with 'more than', we use the 'greater than' symbol. He also needs to pack at least 16 capes, one for each day and two, just in case. For inequalities with 'at least', we use the 'greater than or equal to' symbol.

    Inequalities summary - Imagine a mouth

    Let's take another look at the different inequality symbols. A good way to remember which number is greater, is to think of each sign like a mouth. The mouth will always eat the larger of the two numbers being compared. For example let's compare 2 and 4. Since 2 is less than 4, the mouth will eat the 4. If the mouth opens to the right, it's read: 'a' is less than 'b'. However, if the mouth opens to the left, it's read: 'a' is greater than 'b'. As we saw earlier, the greater than and less than symbols can also be combined with the equal sign. When we say 'as many as' or 'no more than', we mean 'less than or equal to' which means that a could be less than b or equal to b. But, when we say 'at least', we mean 'greater than or equal to'. Here a could be greater than b or equal to b. Let’s see how Christopher the Vampire is enjoying his vacation. OH NO! No more blood oranges?!? This might make his vacation a bit tougher...

    READ MORE

    Inequality Symbols: <, >, ≤, ≥ exercise

    Would you like to apply the knowledge you’ve learned? You can review and practice it with the tasks for the video Inequality Symbols: <, >, ≤, ≥.

    • Explain the inequality symbols.

      Hints

      Here you see a number line for $>65$.

      $\ge~$ is the same as $~>~$ including the $~=~$ relation.

      Here you see a number line for $\le 55$.

      Pay attention to the circle.

      Solution

      To distinguish the inequality symbols:

      • $<~$ for the less than relation. You see the regarding number line beside. The fact, that Christopher spends less than 15 days on his trip, is represented by an empty circle.
      • $\le$ for the less than or equal relation. The difference between this symbol and the $<$-symbol is the $=$ sign. This can be seen by the filled circle.
      • $>$ for the greater than relation. Similar to the $<$ relation the corresponding circle is empty.
      • $\ge$ for the greater than or equal relation. It also includes the $=$ sign which can be shown by a filled circle.

    • Identify the symbol that correctly describes the relationship.

      Hints

      Take a look at this example:

      $4$ is more than $2$.

      You can write it as $4>2$.

      Or you could write it as $2<4$.

      At least indicates greater than or equal.

      Remember the relation signs:

      • $<$ less than
      • $\le$ less than or equal
      • $>$ greater than
      • $\ge$ greater than or equal

      Solution

      Christopher already knows that his trip takes fewer than 15 days. Fewer than indicates the $<$- or less than-symbol: $<15$. For the representation on a number line you use an empty circle surrounding 15.

      The amount of blood orange he can take with is limited to the top by $1000~ml$, including this amount. This indicates the $\le$- or less than or equal-symbol: $\le 1000$. Here you use a filled circle.

      Christopher knows how much hair gel he needs. So he concludes to pack more than one bottle of hair gel. This indicates the $>$- or greater than-symbol: $>1$. Again you use an empty circle.

      Last but least he packs some capes: at least one for each day and one in spare, 16 in total. At least indicates the $\ge$- or greater than or equal-symbol: $\ge 16$. Here you use a filled circle on a number line.

      But, what's that? Arriving in the blood orange garden Christopher discovers a sign: Sorry! No blood oranges.

    • Determine the corresponding mathematical inequality to match the number line.

      Hints

      This number line represents the inequality $x\le 7$.

      • The arrow to the left indicates $<$ or $\le$.
      • The filled circle stands for less than or equal.

      This number line stands for $x>-20$.

      The $\ge$-symbol can be excluded because the empty circle.

      Solution

      First we consider number lines in general.

      • An arrow to the left indicates a $<$ or $\le$ relation.
      • An arrow to the right indicates a $>$ or $\ge$ relation.
      You can decide if you have to use $<$ or $\le$ respectively $>$ or $\ge$ depending on the circle.
      • An empty circle means $<$ or $>$ depending on the direction of the arrow.
      • A filled circle means $\le$ or $\ge$.
      So we are able to determine the corresponding inequality from left to the right:
      • $x\le 8$
      • $x<8$
      • $x>4$
      • $x\ge 4$

    • Examine the inequality according to different word problems.

      Hints

      At least indicates greater than or equal.

      More than indicates the $>$-symbol.

      Distinguish between less than ($<$) and less than or equal ($\le$).

      Solution

      You can memorize different keywords which indicate the regarding inequality-symbol:

      • More than indicates greater than $>$.
      • At least indicates greater than or equal $\ge$.
      Speed limit Sure a speed limit doesn't indicate, that you have to drive faster than this limit. So we get the inequality $x\le 45$.

      Birthday party You like to invite less than 10 friends. So we get $x<10$.

      Earphones More than indicates $>$-symbol. This gives us $x>25$.

    • Decide which inequality symbol to use.

      Hints

      Pay attention

      • $5<7$ but
      • $-5>-7$
      If you change the sign of the numbers you also have to change the inequality symbol.

      Take care of the use of $>$ or $\ge$:

      • $7\ge 7$ but $7\not > 7$
      • $7>4$ as well as $7\ge 4$

      Solution

      You can imagine the greater than symbol as a mouth.

      The bigger number eats the larger one.

      • For example $4>2$. You can also use the $\ge$ sign.
      • Similarly $2<4$ as well as $2\le 4$. The order is changed.
      Pay attention to the sign of the numbers:
      • $-2>-4$ as well as $-2\ge -4$.
      • The other way round we can conclude $-4<-2$ or $-4\le -2$.

    • Determine the corresponding inequality.

      Hints

      Pay attention to the circle:

      • Empty circles indicate $>$ or $<$.
      • Filled circles indicate $\ge$ or $\le$.

      A circle indicates the number you have to use in the inequality.

      The circle indicates at the one hand the number $65$ and on the other that $65$ belongs to the inequality.

      What is the meaning of this ≥?

      The symbol ≥ means greater than or equal to.

      What does the symbol ≥ represent in an inequality?

      The word at least means greater than or equal to. In inequality, it denotes by the symbol ≥ . Hence, the inequality symbol of at least is ≥ .

      How do you use ≥?

      greater than or equal (≥). For example, if 6≥3, we will read it as “6 is greater than or equal to 3′. less than or equal to (≤). For example, if 6≤3, we will read it as “6 is less than or equal to 3′.

      What does >= mean when comparing?

      The greater than or equal to symbol is used to represent inequality in math. It tells us that the given variable is either greater than or equal to a particular value. For example, if x ≥ 3 is given, it means that x is either greater than or equal to 3.