# How do you write an inequality for the following statement. 3 is less than or equal to x?

Nov 21, 2016

$3 \le x$

#### Explanation:

In mathematical terms "is less than or equal to" is written as: $\le$.

So we can write 3 is less than or equal to x as:

$3 \le x$

Nov 21, 2016

$3 \le x$

#### Explanation:

Lets consider some examples

$2 = 2$
$2 = 3 - 1$ and so on.

That deals with the equals bit

2 is less than 3 $\to 2 < 3$

The gap between the two lines of < on the right is much greater than the left. The greater gap indicates greater value. So reading left to right $2 < 3$ Stating the obvious; the 2 is less than the 3

or 3 is greater than 2 $\to 3 > 2$

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$\textcolor{b l u e}{\text{Putting them together}}$

Look at the order of the wording " 3 less than or equal to $x$ "

Writing the numbers and symbols in the same order as the wording we have

$3 < = x$ However, the correct format for this is $3 \le x$

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$\textcolor{b l u e}{\text{Footnote}}$

a less than b $\text{ "->" } a < b$

a less than or equal to b $\text{ "->" } a \le b$

a greater than b $\text{ "->" } a > b$

a greater than or equal to b$\to \text{ } a \ge b$

a not equal to b$\text{ "->" } a \ne b$