To solve the inequality \(4x - 36 < -12\), you first need to isolate \(x\). Here’s how to do that step-by-step:
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Add 36 to both sides: \[ 4x - 36 + 36 < -12 + 36 \] \[ 4x < 24 \]
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Divide both sides by 4: \[ x < \frac{24}{4} \] \[ x < 6 \]
Now, you have the solution \(x < 6\).
Creating a Number Line
To represent this inequality on a number line:
- Draw a horizontal line.
- Mark a point at \(6\) with an open circle, indicating that \(6\) is not included in the solution (because the inequality is strict, \(<\)).
- Shade to the left of \(6\) to represent all numbers less than \(6\).
Here's a simple representation of a number line:
<---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|--->
3 4 5 6 7 8 ... (continue as needed)
o-----------------------> (Shade to the left)
- The open circle at \(6\) indicates that \(6\) is not included in the solution, and the shaded line to the left shows the values that satisfy \(x < 6\).