Transitive Property

Inequalities are the terms which has no equal terms represented by symbols <, >, ≤ and
≥. Inequalities have certain properties such as transitive property. By learning the
transitive property of inequalities we can simplify the problems

There are four basic rules for transitive property of inequality.

• If the condition is a < b and b < c then it equals to a < c

• If the condition is a > b and b > c then it equals to a > c
• If the condition is a ≤ b and b ≤ c then it equals to a ≤ c
• If the condition is a ≥ b and b ≥ c then it equals to a ≥ c

Some other rules for transitive property of inequalities:

• If the condition is a ≥ b and b > c then it equals to a > c

• If the condition is a < b and b ≤ c then it equals to a < c
• If the condition is a > b and b ≥ c then it equals to a > c
• If the condition is a ≤ b and b < c then it equals to a < c
• The following property: If a = b and b = c, then a = c

Example: 1

If , which of the following must be true?

A)

B)

C)

D)

E)

Solution:
Since and 1 > 0, we know from the transitive property that is positive. Hence, Q
is positive.

Therefore, we can multiply both sides of by Q without reversing the inequality

Reducing yields 1 > Q

Multiplying both sides again by Q yields

Using the transitive property to combine the last two inequalities yields

The answer is (C).

Example: 2

Which of the following is equal to 3 < 5 and 5 < 9?

a) 5< 3

b) 3 > 9

c) 9 < 3

d) 3 < 9

Solution:

By basic rule of transitive property of inequality,

3 < 5 and 5 < 9 becomes 3 < 9

Example: 3

Which of the following is equal to 90 > 15 and 15 > 6?

a) 15< 6

b) 6 > 90

c) 90 > 6

d) 90 < 6

Solution:
Given 90 > 15 and 15 > 6.

By the basic rule of transitive property of inequality we can say that 90 > 6.

Example: 4

Which of the following is equal to 12 > 3 and 3 > 1?

a) 12 < 1

b) 12 > 1

c) 3 > 12

d) 12 < 3

Solution:

Given 12 > 3 and 3 > 1.

By the basic rule of transitive property of inequality we can say that 12 > 1

Practice Question

1) Which of the following is equal to 2 > 0 and 0 > -5?

a) 2 > -5

b) -5 > 2

c) -5 > 0

d) 2 < -5

2) Find the answer using of 7 < 17 and 17 < 19 using transitive property.

a) 7 < 19

b) 7 > 19

c) 17 < 7

d) 19 < 17

3) Find the answer using of a ≥ 56 and 56 > 50 using transitive property.

a) 50 > a

b) a ≥ 50
c) a > 50

d) a < 50

4) Find the answer using transitive property of the expression 4 < 8 and 8 < 9

a) 4>8

b) 9<8

c) 4<9

d) 4≤9

5) Find the answer using transitive property of the expression 7 > 3 and 3 > 1

a) 7>1

b) 7<1

c) 7≥1

d) 7≤1

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