From the single chain E ≤ F = G ≤ H, which of the following is the strongest valid conclusion about E and H?

Compose the links: E ≤ F, then F = G passes the relation across, then G ≤ H. Two non-strict links in the same sense compose to a non-strict result, so E ≤ H, and that is as strong as the chain allows. 'E < H' overreaches: it would need at least one strict link in the run, and there is none, as E = F = G = H = 6 satisfies every statement while making E < H false. 'E = H' is refuted by E = 1, F = G = 5, H = 5. 'H ≤ E' reverses the chain and fails on that same set of values. Note the contrast worth remembering: E ≤ F < G would give E < G, but E ≤ F ≤ G gives only E ≤ G.