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AlgebraMediumTranslating words into an inequality

Algebra practice question

A number x is at least 5 more than twice a number y. Which inequality represents this relationship?

  1. A. x ≥ 2y + 5Correct
  2. B. x ≤ 2y + 5
  3. C. x ≥ 2(y + 5)
  4. D. x + 5 ≥ 2y

Answer: A. x ≥ 2y + 5

'Twice y' is 2y; '5 more than' that is 2y + 5; 'at least' means x is that value or larger: x ≥ 2y + 5.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. x ≤ 2y + 5
'At least' means greater than or equal to. ≤ says 'at most'.
C. x ≥ 2(y + 5)
2(y + 5) doubles the 5 as well. The 5 is added AFTER doubling y.
D. x + 5 ≥ 2y
This adds the 5 to x instead of to 2y, which reverses the relationship.

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