Johns Hopkins University, CTYOnline Linear Inequalities

Linear Inequalities

To form a linear inequality, start with a linear equation (examples: y = 3; x = −2; 2x + 3y = 7)

and replace the equals sign with an inequality (examples: y ≥ 3; x < −2; 2x + 3y ≤ 7).

When graphing linear inequalities, start by drawing the equation normally. If the inequality is strict
(either < or >), then use a dashed line; otherwise (≤ or ≥), use a solid line. The equation divides
the coordinate plane into two regions. Pick a point from each region to plug into the inequality.
Shade a region if its corresponding point satisfies the inequality.

Example 1: Graph the inequality y ≤ 3.

Solution

• Step 1: Since the inequality isn’t strict (≤), we graph y = 3 with a solid line.

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• Step 2: The line divides the coordinate plane into two regions. Choose a point from each
region. Let’s choose (1,4) and (2,2).

• Step 3: Plug (x, y) = (1, 4) into the inequality and check: 4 ≤ 3. This isn’t true, so we don’t
shade the region containing (1,4). Now plug in (x, y) = (2, 2): 2 ≤ 3. This is true, so we
shade the region containing (2,2).

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Example 2: Graph the inequality x > −1.

Solution

• Step 1: Since the inequality is strict (>), we graph x = −1 with a dashed line.

• Step 2: The line divides the coordinate plane into two regions. Choose a point from each
region. Let’s choose (0,1) and (-2,1).

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• Step 3: Plug (x, y) = (0, 1) into the inequality and check: 0 > −1. This is true, so we shade
the region containing (0,1). Now plug in (x, y) = (−2, 1): −2 > −1. This isn’t true, so we
don’t shade the region containing (-2,1).

As in examples 1 and 2, when graphing a linear inequality, one side of the line is shaded and the
other side is not. If a test point does not satisfy the inequality, then we know we should shade the
other side of the line.

Practice Problem 1: Graph the inequalities below.

a. x ≤ 2

b. y > 1

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You can graph inequalities that correspond to diagonal lines using the technique of examples 1 and 2.

Example 3: Graph the inequality 2x − 3y ≥ 1.

Solution

• Step 1: Since the inequality isn’t strict (≥), we graph 2x − 3y = 1 with a solid line. We first
solve 2x − 3y = 1 for y.

2x − 3y = 1

−3y = −2x + 1

2 1
y = x−
3 3

1 2
We therefore graph a line with y-intercept − and slope .
3 3

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• Step 2: The line divides the coordinate plane into two regions. Choose a point not on the line
to test. Let’s choose (0, 0).

• Step 3: Plug (x, y) = (0, 0) into the inequality and check: 0 ≥ 1. This isn’t true, so we shade
the side of the line not containing (0,0).

Practice Problem 2: Graph the inequality x + y < 3.

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Solutions to word problems can be shown on the coordinate plane, too. Begin by writing the in-
equality that best describes the situation. Then, show the solution on the coordinate plane, using
the same strategy for graphing linear inequalities. Shade only the areas of the coordinate plane
that make sense, though.

Example 4: A local high school is selling tickets to a football game. Tickets cost $8 for adults and
$5 for children. The school needs to make at least $1000 in order to pay for the cost of hosting the
game. Let x represent the number of adult tickets sold and y represent the number of children’s
tickets sold. Write an inequality to describe this scenario, and show the solution on the coordinate
plane.

Solution

Multiply the number of adult tickets, x, by the cost per ticket, $8, to see that the school makes
8x dollars from the sale of adult tickets. Multiply the number of children’s tickets, y, by the cost
per ticket, $5, to see that the school makes 5y dollars from the sale of children’s tickets. The total
amount made by the school is 8x + 5y dollars. This quantity must be at least $1000 for the school
to cover the cost of the event. This gives us our inequality:

8x + 5y ≥ 1000

We begin by graphing the solid line 8x + 5y = 1000. To do this, we solve for y.

8x + 5y = 1000

5y = −8x + 1000

8
y = − x + 200
5

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We therefore graph a line with y-intercept 200 and slope − .
5

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Plug in the test point (0,0) and check the inequality: 0 ≥ 1000. This isn’t true, so we shade the
other side of the line. We, however, only shade the region where x and y are nonnegative, since the
school cannot sell a negative number of tickets of either kind.

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The points with integer coordinates in the shaded region represent all possible ticket sale combina-
tions that result in at least $1000 of revenue. The three example points plotted above show that
the following combinations of ticket sales work:

75 adult tickets, 150 children’s tickets;

100 adult tickets, 50 children’s tickets;
200 adult tickets, 125 children’s tickets.

Practice Problem 3: You have at most $15 to spend at a candy store. Bags of red licorice
cost $2, and bags of black licorice cost $5. Let x represent the number of bags of red licorice
you buy, and let y represent the number of bags of black licorice you buy. Write an inequality
to describe this scenario, and show the solution on the coordinate plane.

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Solutions to Practice Problems

1. a.

b.

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2.

3. 2x + 5y ≤ 15

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