Digital Lesson

Graphing Linear
Inequalities in Two Variables
 Expressions of the type x + 2y 8 and 3x y > 6
are called linear inequalities in two variables.

A solution of a linear inequality in two variables is an

ordered pair (x, y) which makes the inequality true.

Example: (1, 3) is a solution to x + 2y 8

since (1) + 2(3) = 7 8.

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 The solution set, or feasible set, of a linear inequality
in two variables is the set of all solutions.
y

Example:
The solution set for x + 2y 8 2
is the shaded region. x
2

The solution set is a half-plane. It consists of the line

x + 2y 8 and all the points below and to its left.

The line is called the boundary line of the half-plane.

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 y 3x y = 2
If the inequality is or ,
the boundary line is solid; x
its points are solutions.
3x y < 2
Example: The boundary line of the
solution set of 3x y 2 is solid. 3x y > 2

If the inequality is < or >, y

the boundary line is dotted;
its points are not solutions.

Example: The boundary line of the x

solution set of x + y < 2 is dotted.

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 A test point can be selected to determine which side of
the half-plane to shade.
y
Example: For 2x 3y 18 (0, 0)
graph the boundary line. x
2
-2

The solution set is a half-plane.

Use (0, 0) as a test point.
(0, 0) is a solution. So all points on the (0, 0) side of the
boundary line are also solutions.

Shade above and to the left of the line.

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 To graph the solution set for a linear inequality:

1. Graph the boundary line.

2. Select a test point, not on the boundary line, and

determine if it is a solution.

3. Shade a half-plane.

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 Example: Graph the solution set for x y > 2.

1. Graph the boundary line x y = 2 as a dotted line.

y
(0, 0)
2. Select a test point not on x
(2, 0)
the line, say (0, 0).
(0, -2)
(0) 0 = 0 > 2 is false.

3. Since this is a not a solution, shade in the half-plane

not containing (0, 0).

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 Solution sets for inequalities with only one variable
can be graphed in the same way.
y
Example: Graph the solution 4
set for x < -2.
x
-4 4

-4
y
Example: Graph the solution 4
set for x 4.
x
-4 4

-4
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 A solution of a system of linear inequalities is an
ordered pair that satisfies all the inequalities.

x y 8
Example: Find a solution for the system .
2 x y 7

(5, 4) is a solution of x + y > 8.

(5, 4) is also a solution of 2x y 7.

Since (5, 4) is a solution of both inequalities in the

system, it is a solution of the system.

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 The set of all solutions of a system of linear inequalities
is called its solution set.

To graph the solution set for a system of linear

inequalities in two variables:

1. Shade the half-plane of solutions for each

inequality in the system.

2. Shade in the intersection of the half-planes.

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 Example:
x y 8
Graph the solution set for the system
2 x y 7
y
Graph the solution set for
x + y > 8.

Graph the solution set for

2x y 7. 2
x
2
The intersection of these two
half-planes is the wedge-shaped
region at the top of the
diagram.

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 Example: Graph the solution set for the system of
linear inequalities: 2 x 3 y 12

2 x 3 y 6
y -2x + 3y 6
Graph the two half-planes.
2

The two half-planes do not x

2
intersect;
therefore, the solution set is
the empty set.
2x 3y 12

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 Example: Graph the solution set for the linear system.
(2) y
(1) 2 x 3 y 3
(2)
(1) 4
6 x y 1

(3) x 2
(4)
y 1 x
-4 4
(4)
Graph each linear
inequality.
-4
(3)
The solution set is the intersection of all the half-planes.

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