The GED Math test's Equations & Inequalities portion is a significant part of the Algebra domain, which makes up about 20% of the exam. This section tests your ability to translate word problems into algebraic expressions and solve them.

Key Skills and Topics

• Solving Equations: You need to be able to solve linear equations with one or more variables. This includes equations that require you to combine like terms, use the distributive property, and perform operations on both sides to isolate the variable. For example, solving an equation like $2x+5=15$.

• Solving Inequalities: Similar to equations, you'll solve inequalities, but you must also understand how to graph the solution on a number line. Remember that when you multiply or divide both sides by a negative number, you must reverse the inequality sign. For example, solving $3x-4>5$. .

• Systems of Equations: You should be able to solve systems of two linear equations with two variables. The most common methods are substitution and elimination. These problems often appear in word problems where you have to set up both equations before solving.

• Translating Word Problems: This is a crucial skill. You will be given a real-world scenario and asked to write an equation or inequality that represents it. For example, "Sarah's age is three more than twice her brother's age" could be translated to $S=2B+3$.

• Formulas: You'll be asked to use and manipulate formulas to solve for a specific variable. For instance, if you're given the formula for the area of a rectangle, $A=lw$, you might be asked to solve for the length (l).

The GED provides an on-screen calculator and a formula sheet, so you won't need to memorize complex formulas, but you do need to know how to use them to solve problems.