ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Linear inequality

A linear inequality is like a rule that helps us understand what numbers are okay to use and what numbers are not okay to use.

Think of it like a playground where you have certain rules to follow, like, "no running on the asphalt" or "stay behind the yellow line." These rules help keep everyone safe and happy.

Linear inequalities are kind of like those rules for numbers. They help us know which numbers are "allowed" and which ones are "not allowed" in a certain situation.

For example, let's say you have a money box, and you want to save at least $10 every week. You could write a linear inequality that would describe that situation:

Money saved each week >= $10

This rule says that any amount of money saved each week that is greater than or equal to $10 is "allowed," or "okay." But any amount less than $10 is "not allowed," or "not okay."

So if you saved $8 one week, that's not okay! You didn't meet the rule of saving at least $10. But if you saved $12 that week, that's okay! And you can keep following this rule to make sure you're always saving at least $10 every week.

Overall, linear inequalities are just rules or guidelines that help us understand which numbers are allowed and which ones are not allowed in a certain situation. Like rules on a playground or in a game, they help keep things fair and make sure everyone is following the same guidelines.