Section 1.

4 – Graphs of Linear Inequalities

A Linear Inequality and its Graph
A linear inequality has the same form as a linear equation, except that the equal symbol is
replaced with any one of ≤ , ≥ , < , or > .

The solution set to an inequality in two variables is the set of all ordered pairs that satisfies the
inequality, and is best represented by its graph. The graph of a linear inequality is represented by
a straight or dashed line and a shaded half-plane. An illustration is shown below.

Example 1: Without graphing, determine whether (−3, − 7) is a solution to y > x − 4 .

Solution: Substitute x = −3 and y = −7 into the inequality and determine if the resulting
statement is true or false.

y > x−4
?
−7 > − 3 − 4
−7 > − 7

This statement −7 > −7 is false, so the point ( −3, − 7 ) is not a solution to the inequality.

***

Math 1313 Page 1 of 21 Section 1.4

Example 2: Without graphing, determine whether (−1, 1) is a solution to 2 x + 10 y ≥ 5 .

Solution: Substitute x = −1 and y = 1 into the inequality and determine if the resulting statement
is true or false.

2 x + 10 y ≥ 5
?
2 ( −1) + 10 (1) ≥ 5
?
−2 + 10 ≥ 5
8≥5

This statement 8 ≥ 5 is true, so the point ( −1,1) is a solution to the inequality.

***

Graphing a Linear Inequality in Two Variables

Next, we will graph linear inequalities in two variables. There are several steps, which are
outlined below.

Steps for Graphing a Linear Inequality in Two Variables

1. Rewrite the inequality as an equation in order to graph the line.
2. Determine if the line should be solid or dashed. If the inequality symbol
contains an equal sign (i.e. ≤ or ≥ ), graph a solid line. If the inequality
symbol does not contain an equal sign (i.e. < or > ), graph a dashed line.
3. Determine which portion of the plane should be shaded. Choose a point not on
the line, and plug it into the inequality.
4. If the test point satisfies the inequality, shade the half-plane containing this
point. Otherwise, shade the other half-plane.

Example 3: Graph the inequality −2 x + y ≤ 4 .

Solution: We first write the inequality as an equation, −2 x + y = 4 . The line will be graphed as a
solid line because the inequality in this problem is ≤ , which includes the line. We can graph the
line using x- and y-intercepts, or by putting it in slope-intercept form, y = mx + b .

Math 1313 Page 2 of 21 Section 1.4

We will choose to find the x- and y-intercepts of −2 x + y = 4 .

−2 x + y = 4 −2 x + y = 4
−2 x + 0 = 4 −2 ( 0 ) + 4
−2 x = 4 y=4
x = −2

A solid line is drawn through the intercepts, which are located at (−2, 0) and (0, 4) .

We now need to determine which portion of the plane should be shaded. To do this, we choose
any test point not on the line, and substitute those coordinates into the inequality to determine if
the resulting statement is true. We will choose the point (0, 0) .

−2 x + y ≤ 4
?
−2 ( 0 ) + 0 ≤ 4
0≤4

Since 0 ≤ 4 is true, then (0, 0) satisfies the inequality, and so we shade the half-plane containing
(0, 0) .

Math 1313 Page 3 of 21 Section 1.4

The solution set is the half-plane lying on or below the line −2 x + y = 4 .

***

Example 4: Graph the inequality x + y < −3 .

Solution: We first write the inequality as an equation, x + y = −3 . The line will be graphed as a
dashed line because the inequality in this problem is < , which does not include the line. We can
graph the line using x- and y-intercepts, or by putting it in slope-intercept form, y = mx + b .

We will choose to find the x- and y-intercepts of x + y = −3 .

x + y = −3 x + y = −3
x + 0 = −3 0 + y = −3
x = −3 y = −3

A dashed line is drawn through the intercepts, which are located at (−3, 0) and (0, − 3) .

We now need to determine which portion of the plane should be shaded. To do this, we choose
any test point not on the line, and substitute those coordinates into the inequality to determine if
the resulting statement is true. We will choose the point (0, 0) .

x + y < −3
0 + 0 < −3
0 < −3

Since 0 < −3 is not true, then (0, 0) does not satisfy the inequality, and so we shade the half-
plane not containing (0, 0) .

Math 1313 Page 4 of 21 Section 1.4

The solution set is the half-plane lying below the line x + y = −3 .

***
There is a shortcut for graphing inequalities without using test points, provided that the
inequality is written in the form y < mx + b , y ≤ mx + b , y > mx + b , or y ≥ mx + b .

Graphing Inequalities Without Using Test Points

Inequality The solution is the half-plane lying:
y < mx + b below the line y = mx + b .
y ≤ mx + b on or below the line y = mx + b .
y > mx + b above the line y = mx + b .
y ≥ mx + b on or above the line y = mx + b .

If we think about the meaning of the chart above, we can remember its information without
memorization. To say that y < mx + b means that for every value of x, the y-values of the
solution are lower than the y-value of the line, and therefore the shading occurs below the line.
To say that y > mx + b means that for every value of x, the y-values of the solution are higher
than the y-value of the line, and therefore the shading occurs above the line. And as discussed in
previous examples, an equals sign in the inequality means that the line is included in the solution.

Example 5: Graph the inequality y ≥ 3 x + 6 .

Solution: We first write the inequality as an equation, y = 3 x + 6 . The line will be graphed as a
solid line because the inequality in this problem is ≥ , which includes the line. We can graph the
line using x- and y-intercepts, or by using the slope and y-intercept from slope-intercept form.

Math 1313 Page 5 of 21 Section 1.4

We will choose to find the x- and y-intercepts of y = 3 x + 6 .

y = 3x + 6 y = 3x + 6
0 = 3x + 6 y = 3( 0) + 6
−3 x = 6 y=6
x = −2

A solid line is drawn through the intercepts, which are located at (−2, 0) and (0, 6) .

We can now use our shortcut rather than selecting a test point. Since the inequality is of the form
y ≥ 3 x + 6 , we shade above the line.

The solution set is the half-plane lying on or above the line y = 3 x + 6 .

***

Example 6: Graph the inequality −12 x − 3 y > −9 .

Solution: We first write the inequality as an equation, −12 x − 3 y = −9 . The line will be graphed
as a dashed line because the inequality in this problem is > , which does not include the line. We
can graph the line using x- and y-intercepts, or by using the slope and y-intercept from slope-
intercept form.
Math 1313 Page 6 of 21 Section 1.4
We will choose to find the x- and y-intercepts of −12 x − 3 y = −9 .

−12 x − 3 y = −9 −12 x − 3 y = −9
−12 x − 3 ( 0 ) = −9 −12 ( 0 ) − 3 y = −9
−12 x = −9 −3 y = −9
3
x= y=3
4

3 
A dashed line is drawn through the intercepts, which are located at  , 0  and (0, 3) .
4 

We then need to decide whether to shade above or below the line. Instead of choosing a test
point, we can isolate the variable y on the left-hand side of −12 x − 3 y > −9 and determine which
half-plane to shade.

−12 x − 3 y > −9
−3 y > 12 x − 9

Next, we divide by −3 . When dividing by a negative number, we need to reverse the inequality.

y < −4 x + 3

Since y < −4 x − 3 , we shade below the line.

Math 1313 Page 7 of 21 Section 1.4

The solution set is the half-plane lying below the line y = −4 x + 3 or −12 x − 3 y = −9 .

***

Solving Systems of Linear Inequalities

A system of linear inequalities is a set of two or more linear inequalities.

The solution set to a system of linear inequalities is the set of all ordered pairs that satisfies all
of the inequalities. We solve these systems by graphing. To graph a system of linear inequalities,
we graph each inequality (using techniques from previous examples in this section) and then find
where all shaded regions intersect. The intersection represents the solution set to the system of
inequalities.

In this textbook, each system of inequalities will be preceded by a single left curly brace, as
shown in the examples below. Not all textbooks follow this convention, but it is a way to group
the inequalities together and to quickly identify a system of inequalities.

Example 7: Graph the following system of linear inequalities.

 y ≥ x+2

 y ≥ −x − 2

Solution: We first write the inequality y ≥ x + 2 as an equation, y = x + 2 . The line will be

graphed as a solid line because the inequality is ≥ , which includes the line. We will graph the
line using x- and y-intercepts.

y = x+2 y = x+2
0= x+2 y = 0+2
x = −2 y=2

Math 1313 Page 8 of 21 Section 1.4

A solid line is drawn through the intercepts, which are located at ( −2, 0 ) and ( 0, 2 ) . Since the
inequality is of the form y ≥ x + 2 , we shade above the line.

We now write the second inequality, y ≥ − x − 2 , as an equation, y = − x − 2 . The line will be

graphed as a solid line because the inequality is ≥ , which includes the line. We will graph the
line using x- and y-intercepts.

y = x−2 y = x−2
0 = −x − 2 y = 0−2
x = −2 y = −2

A solid line is drawn through the intercepts, which are located at ( −2, 0 ) and ( 0, − 2 ) . Since the
inequality is of the form y ≥ − x − 2 , we shade above the line, shown in the colors aqua and green
below. (The green region is where the aqua shading overlaps with the previous yellow shading.)

The solution set of the system is the intersection of the two shaded half-planes, shown in green
below, along with any points on the boundary of the shaded region.

Math 1313 Page 9 of 21 Section 1.4

 ***
Example 8: Graph the following system of linear inequalities.

 y > −3 x + 3

 2x − y > 4

Solution: We first write the inequality y > −3 x + 3 as an equation, y = −3 x + 3 . The line will be
graphed as a dashed line because the inequality is > , which does not include the line. We will
graph the line using x- and y-intercepts.

y = −3 x + 3 y = −3 x + 3
0 = −3 x + 3 y = −3 ( 0 ) + 3
3x = 3 y =3
x =1

A dashed line is drawn through the intercepts, which are located at (1, 0 ) and ( 0, 3) . Since the
inequality is of the form y > −3 x + 3 , we shade above the line.

Math 1313 Page 10 of 21 Section 1.4

We now write the second inequality, 2 x − y > 4 , as an equation, 2 x − y = 4 . The line will be
graphed as a dashed line because the inequality is > , which does not include the line. We will
graph the line using x- and y-intercepts.

2x − y = 4 2x − y = 4
2x − 0 = 4 2 ( 0) − y = 4
2x = 4 −y = 4
x=2 y = −4

A dashed line is drawn through the intercepts, which are located at ( 2, 0 ) and ( 0, − 4 ) . We then
need to decide whether to shade above or below the line. Instead of choosing a test point, we can
isolate the variable y on the left-hand side of 2 x − y > 4 and determine which half-plane to
shade. (Remember that when dividing by a negative number, we need to reverse the inequality.)

2x − y > 4
− y > −2 x + 4
y < 2x − 4

Since the inequality is of the form y < 2 x − 4 , we shade below the line, shown in the colors aqua
and green below. (The green region is where the aqua shading overlaps with the previous yellow
shading.)

The solution set of the system is the intersection of the two shaded half-planes, shown in green
below. Note that the solution set does not include the two boundary lines, since they are dashed
instead of solid.

Math 1313 Page 11 of 21 Section 1.4

 ***
Example 9: Graph the following system of linear inequalities.

 − 12 x + 3 y > −6

 − 3x − y ≥ 3

Solution: We first write the inequality −12 x + 3 y > −6 as an equation, −12 x + 3 y = −6 . The line
will be graphed as a dashed line because the inequality in this problem is > , which does not
include the line. We will graph the line using x- and y-intercepts.

−12 x + 3 y = −6 −12 x + 3 y = −6
−12 x + 3 ( 0 ) = −6 −12 ( 0 ) + 3 y = −6
−12 x = −6 3 y = −6
1
x= y = −2
2

1 
A dashed line is drawn through the intercepts, which are located at  , 0  and ( 0, 2 ) . We then
2 
need to decide whether to shade above or below the line. Instead of choosing a test point, we can
isolate the variable y on the left-hand side of −12 x + 3 y > −6 and determine which half-plane to
shade.

−12 x + 3 y > −6
3 y > 12 x − 6
y > 4x − 2

Since the inequality is of the form y > 4 x − 2 , we shade above the line.

Math 1313 Page 12 of 21 Section 1.4

We now write the second inequality, −3 x − y ≥ 3 , as an equation, −3 x − y = 3 . The line will be
graphed as a solid line because the inequality is ≥ , which includes the line. We will graph the
line using x- and y-intercepts.

−3 x − y = −3 −3 x − y = 3
−3 x − 0 = 3 −3 ( 0 ) − y = 3
−3 x = 3 −y = 3
x = −1 y = −3

A solid line is drawn through the intercepts, which are located at ( −1, 0 ) and ( 0, − 3) .

We then need to decide whether to shade above or below the line. Instead of choosing a test
point, we can isolate the variable y on the left-hand side of −3 x − y ≥ 3 and determine which
half-plane to shade. (Remember that when dividing by a negative number, we need to reverse the
inequality.)

−3 x − y ≥ 3
− y ≥ 3x + 3
y ≤ −3 x − 3

Since the inequality is of the form y ≤ −3 x − 3 , we shade below the line, shown in the colors
aqua and green below. (The green region is where the aqua shading overlaps with the previous
yellow shading.)

Math 1313 Page 13 of 21 Section 1.4

The solution set of the system is the intersection of the two shaded half-planes, shown in green
below, along with any points on the solid boundary of the intersection.

***
A system of linear inequalities can include more than two inequalities. The next example shows
the solution to a system with three inequalities. We can use similar methods to solve systems
with even more inequalities.

Example 10: Graph the following system of linear inequalities.

 2x + 3y < 9

 x≥2
 y≥0


Solution: We first write the inequality 2 x + 3 y < 9 as an equation, 2 x + 3 y = 9 . The line will be
graphed as a dashed line because the inequality in this problem is < , which does not include the
line. We will graph the line using x- and y-intercepts.

Math 1313 Page 14 of 21 Section 1.4

2x + 3 y = 9 2x + 3 y = 9
2x + 3( 0) = 9 2 ( 0) + 3 y = 9
2x = 9 3y = 9
9
x= y =3
2

9 
A dashed line is drawn through the intercepts, which are located at  , 0  and ( 0, 3) . We then
2 
need to decide whether to shade above or below the line. Instead of choosing a test point, we can
isolate the variable y on the left-hand side of 2 x + 3 y < 9 and determine which half-plane to
shade.

2x + 3 y < 9
3 y < −2 x + 9
2
y < − x+3
3

2
Since y < − x + 3 , we shade below the dashed line.
3

We now want to graph x ≥ 2 . Remember that x = 2 is a vertical line with x-intercept 2. Then
think about the x-values on the graph to decide where to shade. (It may help to think about a
number line.) To say that the x-values are greater than 2 means that they fall to the right of 2, so
we shade to the right of the solid line x = 2 .

Finally, we want to graph y ≥ 0 . Remember that y = 0 is a horizontal line with y-intercept 0,

which means that it coincides with the x-axis. Since y ≥ 0 , we shade above the solid line y = 0 .

The solution set of the system is the intersection of the three shaded half-planes (shown in green
below) and any point on the solid boundary of the intersection.

Math 1313 Page 15 of 21 Section 1.4

 ***
Next, we will reverse the process. Suppose that we are given a solution set and are asked to write
the system of inequalities that generates that solution.

Example 11: Write the system of inequalities that corresponds to the following graph.

Solution: First, we need to find the equation of each line. We will use the slope and y-intercept,
and write each line in the form y = mx + b .

By observing Line 1, we see that the y-intercept is 2, so b = 2 . To determine the slope of Line 1,
we can start at ( 0, 2 ) , move down 2 units and then to the left 6 units to get to the point ( −6, 0 ) .

rise −2 1
m= = =
run −6 3

1
Hence, the equation for Line 1 is y = x+2.
3

Math 1313 Page 16 of 21 Section 1.4

Next, we need to find the equation of Line 2. The y-intercept is −4 , so b = −4 . To determine the
slope of Line 2, we can start at ( 0, − 4 ) , move up 4 units and to the right 3 units to get to the
point ( 3, 0 ) .

rise 4
m= =
run 3

4
Therefore, the equation for Line 2 is y = x−4.
3

We now need to determine the inequalities. The shaded region lies below Line 1 and the line is
1 4
solid, so y ≤ x + 2 . The shaded region lies below Line 2 and the line is solid, so y ≤ x − 4 .
3 3

The green shaded region is determined entirely by Line 1 and Line 2. The system of inequalities
is written below.

 1
 y ≤ 3 x + 2

 y ≤ 4 x−4
 3

***
Example 12: Write the system of inequalities that corresponds to the following graph.

Solution: First, we need to find the equation of each line. We will use the slope and y-intercept,
and write each line in the form y = mx + b .

Math 1313 Page 17 of 21 Section 1.4

Line 1 passes through the point ( 0, 7 ) , so b = 7 . Since the line also passes through ( 2, 0 ) ,
y2 − y1 0 − 7 7
m= = =− .
x2 − x1 2 − 0 2

7
The equation for Line 1 is y = − x + 7 .
2

Line 2 passes through the point ( 0, 5 ) , so b = 5 . Since the line also passes through ( 5.5, 0 ) ,
y2 − y1 0−5 −5 −5 −5 2 10
m= = = = = ⋅ =−
x2 − x1 5.5 − 0 5.5 11 1 11 11
2
10
The equation for Line 2 is y = − x + 5 .
11

Also notice that the shaded region is bounded by the y-axis ( x = 0 ) and the x-axis ( y = 0 ).

We now need to determine the inequalities. The shaded region lies above Line 1 and the line is
7
solid, so y ≥ − x + 7 . The shaded region lies above Line 2 and the line is dashed, so
2
10
y > − x + 5 . Since the shaded region is to the right of the solid y-axis and above the solid x-
11
axis, we have two more inequalities involved: x ≥ 0 and y ≥ 0 .

The system of inequalities is written below.

 7
 y ≥ − x+7
2

 10
y > − x+5

 11
 x≥0
 y≥0


***

Math 1313 Page 18 of 21 Section 1.4

Example 13: Write the system of inequalities that corresponds to the following graph.

Solution: First, we need to find the equation of each line. We will use the slope and y-intercept,
and write each line in the form y = mx + b .

Line 1 passes through the point ( 0, 9 ) , so b = 9 . Since the line also passes through ( 0.5, 0 ) ,
y2 − y1 0−9 −9 −9 2
m= = = = ⋅ = −18 .
x2 − x1 0.5 − 0 1 1 1
2

The equation for Line 1 is y = −18 x + 9 .

The equation for Line 2 is y = 9 .

The equation for Line 3 is x = 3 .

The equation for Line 4 is y = −2 .

We now need to determine the inequalities:

The shaded region lies above Line 1 and the line is solid, so y ≥ −18 x + 9 .

The shaded region lies below Line 2 and the line is dashed, so y < 9 .

The shaded region lies to the left of Line 3 and the line is dashed, so x < 3 .

The shaded region lies above Line 4 and the line is solid, so y ≥ −2 .

We can combine the inequalities for Line 2 and Line 4: −2 ≤ y < 9

Math 1313 Page 19 of 21 Section 1.4

  y ≥ −18 x + 9

The system of inequalities is:  x < 3
 −2≤ y <9


The inequalities may be written in an another equivalent form. For example, we can also state the
 18 x + y ≥ 9

system of inequalities as:  x < 3
 −2≤ y <9


***
Example 14: Write the system of inequalities that corresponds to the following graph.

Solution: First, we need to find the equation of each line. We will use the slope and y-intercept,
and write each line in the form y = mx + b .

Line 1 passes through the point ( 0, 5 ) , so b = 5 . Since the line also passes through (1, 0 ) ,
y2 − y1 0 − 5
m= = = −5 . The equation for Line 1 is y = −5 x + 5 .
x2 − x1 1 − 0

Line 2 passes through the point ( 0, 2 ) , so b = 2 . Since the line also passes through ( 4, 0 ) ,
y2 − y1 0 − 2 −2 1 1
m= = = = − . The equation for Line 2 is y = − x + 2 .
x2 − x1 4 − 0 4 2 2

Also notice that the shaded region is bounded by the y-axis ( x = 0 ) and the x-axis ( y = 0 ).

We now need to determine the inequalities. The shaded region lies below Line 1 and the line is
1
solid, so y ≤ −5 x + 5 . The shaded region lies below Line 2 and the line is solid, so y ≤ − x + 2 .
2

Math 1313 Page 20 of 21 Section 1.4

Since the shaded region is to the right of the solid y-axis and above the solid x-axis, we have two
more inequalities involved: x ≥ 0 and y ≥ 0 .

 y ≤ −5 x + 5
 1
 y ≤ − x+2
The system of inequalities is:  2
 x≥0

 y≥0

The inequalities may be written in another equivalent form. For example, the following systems
of inequalities are equivalent to the one above:

 5x + y ≤ 5
1  5x + y ≤ 5
 x + y ≤ 2  x + 2y ≤ 4

2 
 x≥0  x≥0
  y ≥ 0
 y ≥ 0

***

Math 1313 Page 21 of 21 Section 1.4