23. The sum of a number \( x \) and 13.6 is less than -27.8 . Inequality: Step: Solution:

To solve the inequality \( x + 13.6 < -27.8 \), we first isolate \( x \) by subtracting 13.6 from both sides. This gives us \( x < -27.8 - 13.6 \). Simplifying the right side, we get \( x < -41.4 \). Thus, the solution is \( x < -41.4 \). In the world of finance, understanding inequalities is crucial! For instance, if you're budgeting, knowing how much you can spend while staying within a certain limit ensures you avoid overspending, just like solving these inequalities helps us stay on the right side of mathematical limits. When dealing with inequalities, a common mistake is forgetting to flip the inequality sign when multiplying or dividing by a negative number! Always double-check the signs during your calculations to avoid any costly errors in your solution.