Malcolm has $638.54 in his checking account. he must maintain a $500 balance to avoid a fee. he wrote a check for $159.50 today. write and solve an inequality to solve for the least amount of money he needs to deposit to avoid a fee.. 638.54 + 159.50 − x ≥ 500; x ≥ $298.04. 638.54 + 159.50 − x ≥ 500; x ≥ $298.04. 638.54 − 159.50 + x ≥ 500; x ≥ $20.96. 638.54 − 159.50 + x ≤ 500; x ≤ $20.96