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You must reverse the sense of inequality because, in essence, you're taking the opposite of both sides.

In order to more properly show this, here's an example.

3>2

Three is greater than two. True statement, right? Let's multiply both sides by -1

-3>-2

The statement is no longer true. In order to keep the equation true, you must flip the inequality.

As in

-3<-2

Now, the statement is true again.

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Q: When you multiply or divide an inquality by a negative number you must reverse the sense of inequality why?
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Related questions

If you multiply an inequality by a negative number when should you reverse the inequality symbol?

Always.


When you have to reverse the inequality sign?

The usual case is when you multiply or divide an inequality by a negative number.


If you multiply or divide both sides of an inequality by a number you need to reverse the inequality sign?

negative flip


When you must reverse the inequality sign?

When solving an inequality, you must revers the inequality sign when you multiply (or divide) both sides by a negative number.


How do you figure out inequalities?

Treat it like a normal equation. Except if you divide/multiply by a negative number you reverse the inequality. That's basically it.


How do you know when to reverse the direction of an inequality symbol?

u only reverse the sign when u multiply or divide by a NEGATIVE number...otherwise u don't change the direction


How do you solve an inequality when using the distributive property?

You solve an inequality in the same way as you would solve an equality (equation). The only difference is that if you multiply or divide both sides of an inequality by a negative number, you must reverse the inequality sign. Thus, if you have -3x &lt; 9 to find x, you need to divide by -3. That is a negative number so -3x/(-3) &gt; 9/(-3) reverse inequality x &gt; -3


When solving an inequality when do you reverse the inequality sign?

When you divide both sides by a negative value


What do you need to do to the inequality sign if you multiply or divide both sides of an inequality by a negative number?

Leave it alone. You cannot make an inequality into an equality by multiplying both sides of the inequation by the same number. If instead of the inequality sign you are using a lesser or greater than sign, however, you will need to reverse it if you multiply both sides by the same negative number, e.g. 10&gt;4. If you multiply both sides by -2, you need to change the &gt; into a &lt;, so -20&lt;-8


What is the easiest way you can solve inequalities?

Solve like any other math equation. One thing to remember; if you multiply or divide through by a negative number, reverse the inequality.


When do you reverse the inequality symbol in a two-step inequality?

When multiplying or dividing a negative number or variable.


How do you solve an inequality if you are left with a negative variable?

In the case of an inequality, if you mulitply by a negative number, you have to reverse the direction of the inequality. E.g.: -x &lt; 10 becomes: x &gt; -10 (Here, I multiplied by -1, and simultaneously reversed the direction of the inequality.)