Two-step inequalities

Two-step inequalities are to one-step inequalities what two-step equations are to one-step equations – the same thing, but a bit more work is needed in order to solve them. Two-step inequalities are very easy to solve and the rules you have to adhere to are the same as for the one-step inequalities – remember that you need to change the sign of inequality when multiplying or dividing the whole inequality with a negative number. The order of operations will not come into play often since there are not many operations to perform here.

We will now show you on this example how this inequality looks like and what it takes to solve it:

4x + 8 > 20

The first thing you need to do is to put all the numbers on the right side and the variables on the left. Then perform the additions and subtractions. Like this:

4x > 20 – 8

4x > 12

The only thing left to do now is to divide the whole inequality by 4 to get the final, simplified result. Since the number we are dividing the inequality by is positive, it is not necessary to change the sign of inequality. Therefore:

4x > 12 |:4

x > 3

And now we have the final result. If you wish to practice solving two-step inequalities a bit more, please feel free to use the worksheets below.

Two-step inequalities exams for teachers

Two-step inequalities worksheets for students