Inequalities are mathematical statements that show the relationship between two values when they are not equal. They use symbols like < for "less than," > for "greater than," and ≤ or ≥ for "less than or equal to" and "greater than or equal to," respectively. For example, the inequality 3 < 5 tells us that 3 is less than 5.
In everyday life, inequalities help us compare things, such as prices or heights. For instance, if Alice is 5 feet tall and Bob is 6 feet tall, we can say Alice < Bob. Understanding inequalities is essential for solving problems in math, science, and even in making decisions.