Algebra I – Inequality Word Problems
1.
The maximum safe load of a chairlift is 680 lb. In the spring, a cyclist and a bicycle go to the top
of the slope using the chairlift. The weight of the person is 124 lb, and the weight of the bicycle is
32 lb.
a. How much weight can the chairlift carry? Explain how you know this.
b. How much weight is already on the chairlift? Explain how you know this.
c. Circle the word in the problem that will tell you which inequality symbol you should use.
d. Write and solve an inequality to describe how much additional weight the chairlift could
carry.
For each problem, circle the word that tells you which inequality symbol you’re going to use. Then
write an inequality to solve the problem.
2. As a fundraiser, a club decides to sell calendars. They earn $0.40 on each calendar they sell. Their
goal is to earn more than $325. Write and solve an inequality to find the fewest number of
calendars they can sell and still reach their goal.
3. Student council decides to rent a snow cone machine for $75. If they sell the snow cones for $2 a
piece, write and solve an inequality to find how many snow cones they must sell to make a profit
of at least $360.
4. An organization votes to buy food for a local food bank. One case of spaghetti sauce costs $13.75.
Write and solve an inequality to find the greatest number of cases of sauces the organization can
buy if they use at most $216 for this project.