Final answer:
The inequality for wind speeds of tropical storms, which are at least 40 mph and less than 74 mph, is expressed as 40 ≤ w < 74, with w standing for the wind speed.
Step-by-step explanation:
The inequality to represent the wind speeds of tropical storms, which are at least 40 mph but less than 74 mph, is 40 ≤ w < 74, where w represents the wind speed in miles per hour. This inequality shows the range of wind speeds that categorize a storm as a tropical storm, before it escalates into a hurricane, which occurs at wind speeds of 74 mph or higher.