Chapter 2: Linear Inequalities

Math 121: : Mathematical Applications

Dr. Trevor Leach

[email protected]
Lander University

Chapter 2: Linear Inequalities 1 / 39 Math 121: : Mathematical Applications

Overview

1 2.1 Solutions & Graphs of Linear Inequalities in 1 Variable

Solving linear inequalities in 1 Variable
Graphing linear inequalities in 1 Variable

2 2.2 Graphs of Inequalities in 2 Variables

One Linear Inequality in Two Variables
Systems of Linear Inequalities

3 2.3 Applications
Linear Programming
Setting Up a Linear Program
Solving a Linear Program

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 2.1 Solutions & Graphs of Linear Inequalities in 1 Variable

2.1 Solutions & Graphs of Linear Inequalities in 1 Variable

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 2.1 Solutions & Graphs of Linear Inequalities in 1 Variable

Definition
An inequality is a statement that one quantity is greater than (or
less than) another quantity.

Example
3x − 2 > 2x + 1

Note: Solving an Inequality means finding all solutions that make

the statement true.

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2.1 Solutions & Graphs of Linear Inequalities in 1 Variable Solving linear inequalities in 1 Variable

Solving linear inequalities in 1 Variable

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 2.1 Solutions & Graphs of Linear Inequalities in 1 Variable Solving linear inequalities in 1 Variable

Tools For Solving Inequalities

I Substitutions Property:
The inequality formed by substituting one expression for an
equal expression is equivalent to the original inequality.

Example
Since 5x − 4x = x, then by the
substitution property the inequality
5x − 4x < 6

is equivalent to the inequality

x < 6.

Note: The solution set is all x such that

x < 6.
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 2.1 Solutions & Graphs of Linear Inequalities in 1 Variable Solving linear inequalities in 1 Variable

Tools For Solving Inequalities

I Addition Property:
The inequality formed by adding the same quantity to both sides
of an inequality is equivalent to original inequality.

Example
Using the addition property
x −2>4

is equivalent to the equation

x −2+2>4+2

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 2.1 Solutions & Graphs of Linear Inequalities in 1 Variable Solving linear inequalities in 1 Variable

Tools For Solving Inequalities

I Multiplication Property I:
The inequality formed by multiplying both sides of an inequality
by the same positive quantity is equivalent to the original
inequality.

Example
Using the multiplication property
1
x >6
3
is equivalent to
 theequation
1
3 x > 3 (6)
3

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 2.1 Solutions & Graphs of Linear Inequalities in 1 Variable Solving linear inequalities in 1 Variable

Tools For Solving Inequalities

I Multiplication Property II:
The inequality formed by multiplying both sides of an inequality
by the same negative number and reversing the direction of the
inequality symbol is equivalent to the original inequality.

Example
Using the multiplication property
1
x >6
3
is equivalent to
 theequation
1
−3 x < −3 (6)
3

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 2.1 Solutions & Graphs of Linear Inequalities in 1 Variable Solving linear inequalities in 1 Variable

Example (Solve each inequality in terms of y )

a.) 3y − 7 ≤ 5 − y b.) 2y + 6 > 4y + 5 c.) 4 − 3y ≥ 4y + 5

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2.1 Solutions & Graphs of Linear Inequalities in 1 Variable Graphing linear inequalities in 1 Variable

Graphing linear inequalities in 1 Variable

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 2.1 Solutions & Graphs of Linear Inequalities in 1 Variable Graphing linear inequalities in 1 Variable

Graphing Linear Inequalities in 1 Variable

Graphing an inequality gives us a nice representation of its solution

set.

Steps
1. Solve the inequality for the variable on one side.
Your inequality will now look like x > a, x < a, x ≥ a, or x ≤ a.
2. Sketch a number line with a in the center.
3. Put an open circle at a for < or >. Closed for ≤ or ≥.
4. Pick a test point to the left and to the right of a.
5. Shade toward the test point which is a solution.

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 2.1 Solutions & Graphs of Linear Inequalities in 1 Variable Graphing linear inequalities in 1 Variable

Example
a.) 12 − 2y ≥ 0 b.) 6 − y > 2y c.) 10 + 3y ≤ 5y − 4

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 2.2 Graphs of Inequalities in 2 Variables

2.2 Graphs of Inequalities in 2 Variables

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 2.2 Graphs of Inequalities in 2 Variables One Linear Inequality in Two Variables

One Linear Inequality in Two Variables

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 2.2 Graphs of Inequalities in 2 Variables One Linear Inequality in Two Variables

Linear Inequalities in Two Variables

The graph of x < y consists of all We can determine which
points in which the y-coordinate half-plane is the solution region
is more than the x-coordinate. by selecting as a test point any
point not on the line; let’s choose
The graph of the region x < y (3, 0) & (0,3).
can be found by graphing the line
y = x (as a dashed line, because 4
the given inequality does not
2
include points where y = x).
−4 −2 2 4
This line separates the xy -plane −2

into two half-planes, x < y and −4

x > y.

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 2.2 Graphs of Inequalities in 2 Variables One Linear Inequality in Two Variables

NOTE:
I > & ≥ DOES NOT MEAN SHADE ABOVE!
I < & ≤ DOES NOT MEAN SHADE BELOW!

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 2.2 Graphs of Inequalities in 2 Variables Systems of Linear Inequalities

Systems of Linear Inequalities

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 2.2 Graphs of Inequalities in 2 Variables Systems of Linear Inequalities

Systems of Linear Inequalities

Definition
A system of inequalities is 2 (or more) inequalities. A solution of a
system of inequalities is a point (x, y ) that are solutions to all
equations.

If we have two or more inequalities in two variables, we can find the

solutions that satisfy all the inequalities by graphing the inequalities
on the same set of axes and shading the area(s) of the graph that
contain a solution to all inequalities.

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 2.2 Graphs of Inequalities in 2 Variables Systems of Linear Inequalities

Systems of Linear Inequalities

Steps for solving systems of linear inequalities.

1. Find the x & y intercepts.
2. Graph the lines (as =)
I Use a dashed line for < and >.
I Use a bold line for ≤ and ≥.
3. Pick test points for solution areas.
4. Shade all regions containing solutions.

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 2.2 Graphs of Inequalities in 2 Variables Systems of Linear Inequalities

Example
Graph the inequality 3x − 2y ≤ 6 (1).

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 2.2 Graphs of Inequalities in 2 Variables Systems of Linear Inequalities

Example
(
3x − 2y ≥ 4 (1)
x + y − 3 > 0 (2)

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 2.2 Graphs of Inequalities in 2 Variables Systems of Linear Inequalities

Natural Constraints

I Eventually, we will talk about graphing levels of production.

I If we are discussing an application where x is the number of

tables produced and y represents the number of chairs produced,
then natural constraints would be
• x ≥0
• y ≥0

I These natural constraints limits us to only worry about our

graphs in Quadrant 1 (The upper-right quadrant).

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 2.2 Graphs of Inequalities in 2 Variables Systems of Linear Inequalities

Example

 x + 2y ≤ 10 (1)

2x + y ≤ 14 (2)

x ≥0,y ≥0


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 2.2 Graphs of Inequalities in 2 Variables Systems of Linear Inequalities

Example

 3x + 2y ≥ 12 (1)

x + 3y ≥ 11 (2)

x ≥0,y ≥0


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 2.2 Graphs of Inequalities in 2 Variables Systems of Linear Inequalities

Example


 x + y < 4 (1)
x − y > 2 (2)

x ≥0,y ≥0


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 2.3 Applications

2.3 Applications

Chapter 2: Linear Inequalities 27 / 39 Math 121: : Mathematical Applications

 2.3 Applications Linear Programming

Linear Programming

Chapter 2: Linear Inequalities 28 / 39 Math 121: : Mathematical Applications

 2.3 Applications Linear Programming

Linear Programming

Definition
Linear Programming is a technique to optimize
functions.
e.g. Maximize Profit, Minimize Cost

A constraint is a limitation to the problem.

(typically expressed as an inequality)
e.g. Number of nails on hand to build a chair.

A feasible solution is a possible level of production.

e.g. You can produce 0 chairs.

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 2.3 Applications Setting Up a Linear Program

Setting Up a Linear Program

Chapter 2: Linear Inequalities 30 / 39 Math 121: : Mathematical Applications

 2.3 Applications Setting Up a Linear Program

Steps for setting up a linear program:

1. Define your variables.
2. State your objective.
3. Find the objective function.
4. State your constraints in a product-resource chart.
5. Transform product-resource chart into system of inequalities.
I DON’T FORGET NON-NEGATIVITY

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 2.3 Applications Setting Up a Linear Program

Example (Find the linear program)

Bob the builder is building and selling chairs for $15 each and tables
for $50 each. Each chair requires 12 nails and 1 unit of wood. Each
table require 20 nails and 2 units of wood. If bob has 100 nails and
50 units of wood, how much of each should he produce to maximize
revenue?

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 2.3 Applications Setting Up a Linear Program

Example (Find the linear program)

Bob the builder is building chairs for $15 each and tables for $50
each. Each chair requires 12 nails and 1 unit of wood. Each table
require 20 nails and 2 units of wood. If bob has 100 nails and 50 units
of wood, how much of each should he produce to maximize revenue?

Solution
Thus the linear program is:

x = number of chairs produced

y = number of tables produced
Maximize: R(x,  y ) = 15x + 50y
12x + 20y ≤ 100

Constraint to: x + 2y ≤ 50

x ≥ 0, y ≥ 0


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 2.3 Applications Setting Up a Linear Program

Example (Find the linear program)

A candidate for the upcoming election wants to use a combination of radio
and TV advertisements in her campaign. Research has shown that each
1-minute spot on TV reaches 0.9 million people and each 1-minute spot
on radio reaches 0.06 million. The candidate believes she must reach at
least 21.6 million people, and she must buy a total of at least 80 minutes
of advertisements. How many minutes of each medium should be used to
minimize costs if TV costs $500/minute and radio costs $100/minute?

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 2.3 Applications Setting Up a Linear Program

Example (Find the linear program)

A candidate for the upcoming election wants to use a combination of radio
and TV advertisements in her campaign. Research has shown that each
1-minute spot on TV reaches 0.9 million people and each 1-minute spot
on radio reaches 0.06 million. The candidate believes she must reach at
least 21.6 million people, and she must buy a total of at least 80 minutes
of advertisements. How many minuets of each medium should be used to
minimize costs if TV costs $500/minute and radio costs $100/minute?

Solution (Thus the linear program is)

x = number of mins of TV adv.
y = number of mins of radio adv.
Minimize: C (x,
y ) = 500x + 100y
0.9x + 0.06y ≥ 21.6

Constraint to: x + y ≥ 80

x ≥ 0, y ≥ 0

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 2.3 Applications Solving a Linear Program

Solving a Linear Program

Chapter 2: Linear Inequalities 36 / 39 Math 121: : Mathematical Applications

 2.3 Applications Solving a Linear Program

Steps for Solving a linear program:

1. Set up your linear program. (See previous section)
2. Find region of feasible solutions by graphing constraints.
3. Find corner points of the feasible region.
4. Plug corner points into objective function.
I The optimization of the objective function will be achieved at a
corner point of the feasible region.
5. Answer the question!

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 2.3 Applications Solving a Linear Program

Example
With the start of school approaching, a store is planning on having a
sale on school materials. They have a surplus of 600 notebooks, 400
pens, and 300 folders in stock, and they plan on packaging it in two
different forms.
I A Fun Pack contains: 3 notebooks, 1 pen, and 2 folders.
I A Writer’s Pack contains: 2 notebooks, 2 pens, and no folders.
Each Fun Pack will sell for $6.20 and each Writer’s Pack will sell for
$4.00. Complete the following steps to use the method of linear
programming to answer the question: How many of each pack should
they put together to maximize revenue?

Solution
Linear Programming Activity 1

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 2.3 Applications Solving a Linear Program

Example
Two chemical plants, one at Macon and one at Jonesboro, produce
three types of fertilizer: low phosphorous (LP), medium phosphorous
(MP), and high phosphorous (HP). At each plant, the fertilizer is
produced in a single production run, so the three types are produced
in fixed productions. The Macon plant produces 1 ton of LP, 2 tons
of MP, and 3 tons of HP in a single operation and charges $600 for
what is produced in one operation. On the other hand, one operation
the Jonesboro plant produces 1 ton of LP, 5 tons of MP, and 1 ton of
HP, and it charges $1000 for what it produces in one operation. If a
customer needs 100 tons of LP, 260 tons of MP, and 180 tons of HP,
how many production runs should be ordered from each plant to
minimize costs?

Solution
Linear Programming Activity 2
Chapter 2: Linear Inequalities 39 / 39 Math 121: : Mathematical Applications