alleryStart learning →Which single step in solving an inequality forces the inequality sign to flip?
AAdding a negative number
BDividing by a negative
CSubtracting a variable term
DMultiplying by a positive
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: B. Dividing by a negative
1. Adding or subtracting the same amount on both sides never disturbs the direction of an inequality.
2. Multiplying or dividing by a positive number leaves the direction alone as well.
3. Multiplying or dividing by a negative number reverses the order of the two sides.
4. So the inequality symbol must be flipped at exactly that step.
_Source: OpenStax College Algebra (CC BY 4.0), section 2.7 Linear Inequalities and Absolute Value Inequalities_
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