SAT Linear Inequalities: Common Errors

Purpose of this Digital SAT resource

Linear Inequalities is part of Digital SAT Math. This Common Errors resource explains the tested reasoning, a repeatable solution process, a common trap, and a concrete example. The objective is independent transfer: a learner should be able to recognize the skill in new wording and explain why the selected answer follows from the text or mathematics.

Key ideas to understand

• solve and interpret sets of values rather than one value
• use equivalent operations and reverse the inequality when multiplying or dividing by a negative; diagnose tempting wrong approaches and build a prevention check.
• Common trap: forgetting to reverse the sign after division by a negative.
• Model example: -2x>8 becomes x8 becomes x