Question

How do you solve `3x + 2\leq 5x + 12`?

Answer 1

`x >= -5`

Explanation:

First, we need to put the "like terms" on a side of the equation. This means that all the stuff with "x"s on them go on one side, and all the numbers go on the other.

The original inequality was:
`3x + 2 <= 5x + 12`

Let's put all the "x" numbers on the left and numbers on the right:
`-2x <= 10`

Now this is the tricky part. We have to divide both sides by -2 to get the final answer; however, when you divide by a NEGATIVE SIGN in an inequality, the sign becomes the OPPOSITE. The opposite sign of `<=` is `>=`.

So now answer is this:
`x >= -5`