First, solve the problem with x to the left side:
2x - 5 < 3
2x < 8
x < 4
If your answer is less than (<), shade to the left.
If your answer is greater than (>), shade to the right.
The symbol, < or >, points to the direction that you should shade.
If the answer contains either < or >, graph with an open circle.
If the answer contains <= or >=, graph with a filled-in circle.