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Systems of Linear Inequalities in

Two Variables
Key
Half-Plane: The region on a side of a line in the 𝑥𝑦-plane.

Definitions

Graphing Linear Inequalities in Two

 How Variables
to Graph Linear Inequalities in Two Variables:

 If the inequality is < or >, make the line dashed.

o 1. Change the inequality sign to an equal sign, then plot the line.

 If the inequality is ≤ or ≥, make the line solid.

o 2. Test a point in one half plane created.
 If it satisfies the inequality, the entire half-plane satisfies the inequality.
 If it does not satisfy the inequality, the entire half-plane does not satisfy
the inequality.
o 3. Test the other half-plane.
o 4. Shade in any half-planes that satisfy the inequality.

𝑦 < 2𝑥 + 3
 Example: Graph the following inequality

Step 1: Change the < to = and plot the line.

𝑦 = 2𝑥 + 3
10
8
6
4
2
0
-10 -8 -6 -4 -2 0 2 4 6 8 10
-2

-4
-6
-8
-10

*Notice that the line is dashed since the inequality is <.

Step 2: Test a point in the half-plane to the left of the line. Let’s use the point (−𝟏, 𝟐)

𝑦 < 2𝑥 + 3
for this example.

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2 < 2(−1) + 3
2<1
This point does not satisfy the inequality. Therefore, no point in the half-plane to the
left of the line does not satisfy the inequality.

Step 3: Now test the other half-plane. For this example, let’s use the point (𝟎, 𝟎).
𝑦 < 2𝑥 +
3 0 < 2(0)
+3
0<3
This point does satisfy the inequality. Therefore, every point in the half-plane to the
right of the line satisfies the inequality.

Step 4: Shade in the half-plane to the right of the line.

10

0
-10 -8 -6 -4 -2 0 2 4 6 8 10
-2

-4

-6

-8

-10

 Graphing Systems of Linear Inequalities in

Two
Variables

𝑥 and 𝑦-value that satisfies both inequalities, similar to how we wanted every possible 𝑥
 To graph a system of linear inequalities in two variables, we want to find every possible

and 𝑦-value that satisfies both equations when we were solving systems of equations.
 How to Solve a System of Linear Inequalities in Two Variables:
o 1. Using the technique of graphing inequalities above, graph both of the
inequalities given.
o 2. Draw the completed graph shading only the overlapped shaded regions from
the first step.

𝑦 < 3𝑥 + 2
 Example: Graph the following system of inequalities.

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1
𝑦≥−𝑥+1
2
Step 1: Change the inequality signs to equal signs and plot the lines accordingly.

1
𝑦 < 3𝑥 + 2 𝑦≥ 𝑥+1
2
−
1
𝑥+1
2
𝑦 = 3𝑥 + 2 𝑦=
−
Dotted Line Solid Line
Testing Points:
𝑦 < 3𝑥 + 2
Test points (−1,2) and (0,0)
2 < 3(−1) + 2 0 < 3(0) + 2
2<1 0<2
Does Not Satisfy Satisfies
(left of line) (right of line)

1
𝑦≥−𝑥+1
2
Test points (1,1) and (1, −1)
1 < 3(1) + 1 < 3(−1) +
2 2
1<5 1 < −1
Satisfies Does Not Satisfy
(right of line) (left of line)
10
8
6
4
2
0
-10 -8 -6 -4 -2-2 0 2 4 6 8 10

-4
-6
-8
-10

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Step 2: Create the complete graph only including the overlapping shading in the upper right
region of the graph.

10
8
6
4
2
0
-10 -8 -6 -4 -2-2 0 2 4 6 8 10

-4
-6
-8
-10

The Linear Programming Model

Key
Definitions
 Optimization: The process of minimizing or maximizing a certain function.
 Linear Programming: The graphical approach of solving optimization problems.
 Objective Function: The function representing what we are trying to optimize
 Constraints: A system of linear inequalities that helps us find feasible solutions.
 Feasible Solutions: Any possible solution or outcome.
 Vertex: The points where the lines in the constraints meet and bound the region of
feasible solutions

Optimizing Using the Linear Programming

 Model
How to Solve an Optimization Problem Using Linear Programming:
o 1. Make sure that you are aware of your objective function and its constraints.
o 2. Graph the constraints (system of inequalities) so that we know what our
feasible solutions are.
o 3. Identify the vertices and plug these values into the objective function.
o 4. Note that the smallest of these values you evaluates is the minimum and the

Example: Find the maximum and minimum value of the function 𝑧 = 4𝑥 − 2𝑦 + 1

largest value is the maximum.


𝑥 ≤ 5, 𝑥 ≥ 2, 𝑦 − 𝑥 ≤ 2, 𝑦 − 𝑥 ≥ −2
bounded by

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Step 1: Since we are finding the minimum and maximum of 𝒛 = 𝟒𝒙 − 𝟐𝒚 + 𝟏,

maximum and minimum 𝒛-values when 𝒙 and 𝒚 are constrained.

this makes it our objective function. In other words, we are trying to find the

Since this function is bounded by 𝒙 ≤ 𝟓, 𝒙 ≥ 𝟐, 𝒚 − 𝒙 ≤ 𝟐, and 𝒚 − 𝒙 ≥

−𝟐, these are the constraints.

Step 2: Graph the system of inequalities (constraints).

10

0
-10 -8 -6 -4 -2 0 2 4 6 8 10
-2

-4

-6

-8

-10

Step 3: We see that vertices form at the points (−𝟐, 𝟎), (−𝟐, −𝟒), (𝟓, 𝟕), (𝟓,
𝟑). Now, we will plug these values into the objective function.
(−2,0): 𝑧 = 4𝑥 − 2𝑦 + 1
𝑧 = 4(−2) − 2(0) + 1
𝑧 = −7

(−2, −4): 𝑧 = 4𝑥 − 2𝑦 + 1
𝑧 = 4(−2) − 2(−4) + 1
𝑧=1

(5,7): 𝑧 = 4𝑥 − 2𝑦 + 1
𝑧 = 4(5) − 2(7) + 1
𝑧=7

(5,3): 𝑧 = 4𝑥 − 2𝑦 + 1

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𝑧 = 4(5) − 2(3) + 1
𝑧 = 15
Step 4: Conclude that the maximum value is 𝒛 = 𝟏𝟓, which occurs at 𝒙 = 𝟓 and 𝒚
= 𝟑. Conclude that the minimum value is 𝒛 = −𝟕, which occurs at 𝒙 = −𝟐 and 𝒚 =
𝟎.

Optimizing Using the Linear Programming

Model in Unbounded Regions
 If a given region is unbounded, that means that there is not an exact shape and
your shaded region continues to go towards infinity or negative infinity.
o If the region goes towards infinity, there is no maximum.
 Visual Example:

o If the region goes towards negative infinity, there is no minimum.

 Visual Example:

o If the region goes towards infinity and negative infinity, there is no maximum or
minimum. In other words, it cannot be optimized. This only occurs if our
constraints form parallel lines.

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 Visual Example:

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