Translating Inequalities
Old Math Symbols
> Greater than
< Less than
New Math Symbols
Greater than or equal to
Less than or equal to
Identify Key Words
• Read the mathematical problem and
identify key terms or phrases that
can be translated into an inequality
symbol.
Key Vocabulary
Phrase
Meaning
At most
•No more than
•Less than or equal to
At least
•No greater than
•Greater than or equal to
Mathematical
Symbol
Examples
Verbal Expression
You can spend at most $20
Meaning
You can spend $20 or any
amount less than $20
Math Expression
Verbal Expression
Meaning
Math Expression
A person must be at least 18 to
vote
A person who is 18 years old or
any age older than 18 may vote
Additional Key Phrases
Phrase
Exceeds
Is more than
Is at least
Is at most
Symbol
Practice Problems
1) More than 18,000 fans attended the
Kings’ opening hockey game at the
Staples Center in Los Angeles.
2) Your height is greater than 40 inches.
3) The sum of two numbers is at most 6.
Memory Strategy
Vocabulary Word
Translation
At Most and no
More than
Less than or equal
to
At Least and no
Less than
Greater than or
equal to
Reference Info
1. Chapter 7 of the math textbook
2. Inequalities Symbols link
3. Inequalities Study Guide