Solving Systems of Linear

Inequalities
Glossary
TERM DEFINITION

inequality

variable

systems of inequalities a group of inequalities that use the same variables

solution set

the part of the solution graph of a linear inequality in two variables that shows where the
boundary line shaded region begins; the line is solid or dashed to represent a non-strict or a strict
inequality, respectively
half-plane the shaded solution set of a linear inequality in two variables in the coordinate plane

an inequality represented by either the symbol < (less than) or the symbol > (greater
strict inequality
than)

non-strict inequality

intercept

slope the measure of a line’s steepness, found by the ratio of vertical rise to horizontal run

domain the set of values for which an independent variable is defined

range the set of values of a dependent variable for which the dependent variable is defined

Objective
In this lesson, you will

Solving Systems of Inequalities

The solutions to equations and inequalities are the values of the variables that make the statement true or
satisfy it.
The solutions of systems of equations are the points that satisfy both equations. The solutions to systems of
inequalities work the same way. A point is a solution to a system of inequalities when it is in both solution
sets.

Copyright © 2019 Edmentum Inc. All Rights Reserved.

 The graph of a single inequality in two variables consists of
• a boundary line
• _____________________
Select the correct type of boundary line for each type of
inequality.
 Strict (< and >) solid dashed
 Non-strict (≤ and ≥) solid dashed
Any point in the shaded region or on a solid line is a ________________ to the inequality.

_____________ set

To solve a system of inequalities:

• ____________ each inequality in the same coordinate plane.
• Check where the solution sets ____________ or ____________.
(Systems that don’t have a region of overlap have no solution.)

Let’s find the solution set for the following system of inequalities.
𝑦 ≤ 3𝑥 − 10

1
𝑦 >− 𝑥+6
2

First, graph the boundary lines using either the intercept or slope or graphing technology.

𝑦 = 3𝑥 − 10 (____________ because ≤ is non-strict)

1
𝑦 = − 𝑥 + 6 ( ____________ because > is strict)
2

Use the inequality symbols to shade the solution region for each inequality:

𝑦 ≤ 3𝑥 − 10 (shaded ____________ the line)

1
𝑦 > − 𝑥 + 6 (shaded ____________ the line)
2

The solution set to the system of inequalities is the region of ____________, including points on the
____________ boundary line of the overlapped region.

Copyright © 2019 Edmentum Inc. All Rights Reserved.

 _____________ set

Testing Solutions

A point can be tested to determine whether it is a solution to a system of linear inequalities. To be a

solution, a point must satisfy both inequalities in the system.

Consider this system of inequalities:

𝑥−𝑦 >5
1
𝑦 ≤ 𝑥+4
2

We need to check whether (20, 10) and (24, 16) are the solutions for the given system of inequalities.
We will test these points by ____________ the x-values and y-values into the inequalities. If the result is
____________, the point is a solution.
Let’s substitute the coordinates of each point into the system, starting with (20, 100), and complete the table
below.

𝑥−𝑦 > 5
1
𝑦 ≤ 𝑥+4
2

Copyright © 2019 Edmentum Inc. All Rights Reserved.

 Inequality x y Test True or False
_______ – _______ > 5
𝑥−𝑦 > 5 20 10 _______
_______ > 5
1
1 _______ ≤ _______ + 4
𝑦≤ 𝑥+4 20 10 2 True
2
______ ≤ _______
24 – _______ > 5
𝑥−𝑦 > 5 24 16 _______
_______ > 5
1
1 _______ ≤ _______ + 4
𝑦 ≤ 𝑥+4 24 16 2 _______
2
_______ ≤ _______

We can substitute many more points, but only the points that satisfy ____________ inequalities are solutions
to the system.

Which two points are solutions to this system of inequalities?

y > 2x + 3
y + 3x ≤ 1
This is the graph of the system and points.

• Because it lies within the overlapping shaded region,

____________ is a solution.
• Because it lies on a solid boundary of the overlapping
region, ____________ is a solution.
• Because they lie in the shaded region of only one
inequality, not both, ____________ and ____________
are not solutions.
• Because it lies on a dashed boundary of the overlapping
region, ____________ is a solution.

Copyright © 2019 Edmentum Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Modeling with Systems of Inequalities
We can model a real-world situation that includes limitations by:
• Creating a ____________ of inequalities for the problem.
• Solving by ____________.
• Interpreting what the ____________ mean in context.
Suppose a farmer is selling fresh produce at a local farmers market. She sells a quart of strawberries for $3.50
and a head of lettuce for $1.25. She thinks she’ll sell 75 items at most, but she hopes to make at least $150.
How many quarts of strawberries and heads of lettuce can she sell to meet her goal?
Start by defining the variables. Let x be the number of quarts of strawberries sold and let y be the number of
heads of lettuce.

Variables: x = ____________, and y = ____________

The farmer thinks she’ll sell 75 items at most, so this is one inequality: ________________
The total amount she hopes to make is at least $150, so this is the next inequality: ________________
System of inequalities: ________________ and ________________

After graphing both inequalities, we have two solid boundary lines. The ____________ shading represents all
the quantities that reflect what the farmer thinks she’ll sell and will also meet her sales goal. We can test any
of the points in the solution set with ____________, and they should satisfy both inequalities.

Solution Set Restrictions

In the previous example, we restricted the ____________ and range to realistic values, which is often
necessary in ____________ modeling. In this case, negative amounts of strawberries and lettuce are not
possible.

Copyright © 2019 Edmentum Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Sometimes realistic values are limited by more than the domain and the range. Because strawberries and
heads of lettuce are sold as whole quantities, any _______ or _______ values within the solution set are not
valid.

Solution Set Interpretation

We can interpret any valid solution from the graph, such as ____________:
Selling ____________ of strawberries and ____________ of lettuce is within the farmer’s sales expectation
and will earn enough to meet her sales goal of $150.

Summary
How do we find the solution set for a system of linear inequalities, and how is the process different for non-
real-world situations and real-world situations?

Copyright © 2019 Edmentum Inc. All Rights Reserved.