Using the properties of inequality, justify both steps in solving the inequality 2/5m−7≤17 .(4 points)

1 answer

To solve the inequality \( \frac{2}{5}m - 7 \leq 17 \), we will justify each step using properties of inequalities.

Step 1: Isolate the term with \( m \)

Start by adding \( 7 \) to both sides of the inequality:

\[ \frac{2}{5}m - 7 + 7 \leq 17 + 7 \]

This simplifies to:

\[ \frac{2}{5}m \leq 24 \]

Justification: Adding the same number (in this case, \( 7 \)) to both sides of an inequality maintains the inequality. This is known as the Addition Property of Inequality.


Step 2: Solve for \( m \)

Next, multiply both sides of the inequality by \( \frac{5}{2} \):

\[ \frac{5}{2} \cdot \frac{2}{5}m \leq 24 \cdot \frac{5}{2} \]

This simplifies to:

\[ m \leq 60 \]

Justification: Multiplying both sides of an inequality by a positive number (in this case, \( \frac{5}{2} \)) maintains the direction of the inequality. This is known as the Multiplication Property of Inequality.


Thus, the final solution to the inequality is:

\[ m \leq 60 \]

These steps showed how we used properties of inequalities to justify our operations while solving for \( m \).