Real-Life Inequalities: Word Problems & Interpretations

1. Sarah has at least 50 stickers. If she buys x more stickers, write an inequality to represent the total number of stickers she will have.

• S + x > 50 + x

• S + x = 50 + x

• S + x < 50 + x

• S + x >= 50 + x

2. A school requires at least 200 volunteer hours from students. If a student has completed y hours, write an inequality to show how many more hours they need to volunteer.

• y - 200 < 0

• 200 - y = 0

• y + 200 < 200

• 200 - y > 0

3. Tom wants to save at least $100 for a video game. If he currently has z dollars, write an inequality to express how much more he needs to save.

• z ≤ 100

• z > 100

• z < 100

• z = 100

4. A recipe requires at most 3 cups of sugar. If you have a cups of sugar, write an inequality to show how much more sugar you can add without exceeding the limit.

• x < 3 + a

• x ≥ 3 - a

• x ≤ 3 - a

• x = 3 - a

5. A concert hall can hold no more than 500 people. If there are p people already in the hall, write an inequality to represent how many more can enter.

• p > 500

• p ≤ 500

• p = 500

• p < 500

6. Lisa needs to read at least 20 books this year. If she has read r books so far, write an inequality to show how many more she needs to read.

• r ≤ 20

• r < 20

• r > 20

• r = 20

7. A car can travel a maximum of 300 miles on a full tank. If it has already traveled m miles, write an inequality to represent how many more miles it can travel.

• m >= 300

• m <= 300

• m < 300

• m = 300

8. A gym has a capacity of 100 members. If there are currently c members, write an inequality to show how many more members can join.

• x < 100 - c

• x = 100 - c

• x >= 100 - c

• x <= 100 - c

9. A farmer has at least 150 apples. If he sells s apples, write an inequality to represent how many apples he has left.

• 150 - s < 150

• 150 + s <= 150

• s - 150 >= 0

• 150 - s >= 0

10. A student needs to score at least 75% on a test to pass. If they scored t points out of 100, write an inequality to show if they passed.

• t = 75

• t > 75

• t >= 75

• t < 75