Graph of Linear Inequalities in Two Variables For a strict inequality, we draw a dashed line to show that the points

in the line are not part of the solution. For an inequality that includes
A linear inequality in two variables takes the the equals sign, we draw a solid line to show that the points on the
form y>mx+b or y<mx+b. Linear inequalities are closely related to line are part of the solution.
graphs of straight lines; recall that a straight line has the
equation y=mx+b. To graph a linear inequality in two variables (say, xx and yy ), first
When we graph a line in the coordinate plane, we can see that it get yy alone on one side. Then consider the related
divides the plane in half: equation obtained by changing the inequality sign to an equals sign.
The graph of this equation is a line.
If the inequality is strict ( << or >> ), graph a dashed line. If the
inequality is not strict ( ≤≤ and ≥≥ ), graph a solid line.
Finally, pick one point not on the line ( (0,0)(0,0) is usually the
easiest) and decide whether these coordinates satisfy the inequality
or not. If they do, shade the half-plane containing that point. If they
don't, shade the other half-plane.

The solution of a linear inequality in two variables like Ax + By > C

is an ordered pair (x, y) that produces a true statement when the
values of x and y are substituted into the inequality.

The solution to a linear inequality includes all the points in one half Example 1
of the plane. We can tell which half by looking at the inequality
sign: Graph the inequality y ≥ 2x - 3.

> The solution set is the half plane above the line. Solution

≥ The solution set is the half plane above the line and also all the The inequality is already written in slope-intercept form, so its easy
points on the line. to graph. First we graph the line y = 2x - 3; then we shade the half-
< The solution set is the half plane below the line. plane above the line. The line is solid because the inequality
includes the equals sign.
≤ The solution set is the half plane below the line and also all the
points on the line.
 x y

-2 5/2 (-2) - 2 = -7

0 5/2 (0) - 2 = -2

2 5/2 (2) - 2 = 3

After graphing the line, we shade the plane below the line because
the inequality in slope-intercept form is less than. The line is dashed
because the inequality does not include an equals sign.
Example 2

Graph the inequality 5x - 2y > 4.

Solution

First we need to rewrite the inequality in slope-intercept form:

-2y > -5x + 4

y< -2

Notice that the inequality sign changed direction because we

Example 3
divided by a negative number.
A retailer sells two types of coffee beans. One type costs $9 per
To graph the equation, we can make a table of values:
pound and the other type costs $7 per pound. Find all the possible
amounts of the two different coffee beans that can be mixed together
to get a quantity of coffee beans costing $8.50 or less.
Solution gave us a false inequality, that would mean that the solution set is
the part of the plane that does not contain (0, 0).
 Let x = weight of $9 per pound coffee beans in pounds.
 Let y = weight of $7 per pound coffee beans in pounds.

The cost of a pound of coffee blend is given by 9x + 7y.

We are looking for the mixtures that cost $8.50 or less. We write the
inequality 9x + 7y ≤ 8.50.

Since this inequality is in standard form, its easiest to graph it by

finding the x and y- intercepts.

 When x = 0, we have 7y = 8.50 or y = 8.50/7≈ 1.21

 When y = 0, we have 9x = 8.50 or x = 8.50/9 ≈ 0.94

We can then graph the line that includes those two points.
Notice also that in this graph we show only the first quadrant of the
Now we have to figure out which side of the line to shade. In y-
coordinate plane. That's because weight values in the real world are
intercept form, we shade the area below the line when the inequality
always nonnegative, so points outside the first quadrant dont
is ''less than. But in standard form that is not always true. We could
represent real-world solutions to this problem.
convert the inequality to y-intercept form to find out which side to
shade, but there is another way that can be easier.

The other method, which works for any linear inequality in any
form, is to plug a random point into the inequality and see if it
makes the inequality true. Any point that's not on the line will do;
the point (0, 0) is usually the most convenient.

In this case, plugging in 0 for x and y would give us 9(0) +

7(0) ≤ 8.50, which is true. That means we should shade the half of
the plane that includes (0, 0). If plugging in (0, 0)
Exercise:

1. Julius has a job as an appliance salesman. He earns a

commission of $60 for each washing machine he sells and
$130 for each refrigerator he sells. How many washing
machines and refrigerators must Julius sell in order to make
$1000 or more in commissions?

3. Graph the inequality |x|≥2.

2. Graph the inequality x>4 on the coordinate plane.

4. Graph the inequality |y|<5 6. Graph the inequality 5x−2y>5.

7. x<20
5. Graph the inequality y≥2x−4.
8. y≥−5 10. y+5≤−4x+10

9. 3x−4y≥12
TEST YOURSELF
Match column a to column b. Write the letter of your answer in the
blank.
Column A
Column B
_____1. yx

a.
_____2. y   x

b.

_____3. yx

c.

_____4. y
d.

_____5. yx

e.
_____6. y   x

f.

_____7. x
g.

h.
_____8. y   x4

i.

_____9. xy

j.

_____10. xy
_____11. y

k.

_____12. xy

l.

_____13. x + y < 4

m.

_____14. 2x + 3y < 6

n.

_____15. x - 4y > 8

o.
_____16. y > 1

p.

_____17. y < 1
q.

_____18. x - y > - 1

r.

_____19. x < 3
s.

_____20. y > 3
t.
DID YOU KNOW?

The graph of an inequality in two variables

is the set of points
that represents all solutions to the inequality.
A linear inequality divides the coordinate plane
into two halves by a ____________ line
where one half represents
the solutions of the inequality.
The____________ line
is dashed for > and < and
solid for ≤ and ≥.