LINEAR INEQUALITIES

By Jason O. Laroa

Most Essential Learning Competencies (MELC)

1. Differentiates linear inequalities in two variables from linear equations in two variables. (M8ALIIa-2)
2. Illustrates and graphs linear inequalities in two variables.
3. Solves problems involving linear inequalities in two variables. (M8ALIIa-4)
4. Solves problems involving systems of linear inequalities in two variables. (M8ALIIb-2)

Owned by
Name: _________________________________________________ Section: _______________________

THINGS – TO – DO
1. Read all the discussions pertaining to:
a. The difference between Linear Equation and
Inequality in 2 variables.
b. Graphing Linear Inequality with 2 variables and
Test Points.
c. Solve word problems involving linear
inequalities with 2 variables.
d. Solve Systems of Linear Inequalities with 2
variables.
2. Write all your answers in space provided in this module. TOTAL SCORE
3. Use the graphing paper attached next to each activity
that requires solving and drawing of graphs.
Read This…
Linear Equations in Two Variables

If 𝐴, 𝐵 and 𝐶 are real numbers (and if 𝐴 and 𝐵 are not both zero) then 𝐴𝑥 + 𝐵𝑦 = 𝐶 is called a linear
equation in two variables, where 𝑥 and 𝑦 are the two variables.

The graph of the of a linear equation in two variables with form 𝐴𝑥 + 𝐵𝑦 = 𝐶 is a specific point in the
Cartesian Plane such that when the 𝑥 – coordinate of the point is multiplied by 𝐴, and the 𝑦 – coordinate of
the point is multiplied by 𝐵, and those two numbers added together, the answer always equal to 𝐶. The
graph is a line whose inclination depends on the slope of the line. See example Figure 1 and 2.

Figure 1 Figure 2

Linear Inequalities in Two Variables

A linear inequality in two variables is an inequality in one of the forms

𝐴𝑥 + 𝐵𝑦 > 𝐶 𝐴𝑥 + 𝐵𝑦 < 𝐶 𝐴𝑥 + 𝐵𝑦 ≥ 𝐶 𝐴𝑥 + 𝐵𝑦 ≤ 𝐶

where A and B are not both zero.

The graph of the corresponding equation of a linear inequality is a line that separates the xy-plane into two
regions called half-planes. See Figure 3.

Figure 3
As shown, 𝐴𝑥 + 𝐵𝑦 = 𝐶 is the equation of the boundary line, and it divides the plane into two half-planes:
one for which 𝐴𝑥 + 𝐵𝑦 < 𝐶 and the other for which 𝐴𝑥 + 𝐵𝑦 > 𝐶. Because of this, for linear
inequalities, only one test point is required.

Example of Linear Equation with Two Variables and Linear Inequalities with Two Variables

Linear Equation Linear Inequalities

Example: Example:

5𝑥 + 3𝑦 = 6 𝑥 − 6𝑦 ≤ 15
2𝑥 − 𝑦 = 10 3𝑥 + 4𝑦 > 2
3𝑥 + 4𝑦 = 5 5𝑥 + 𝑦 ≥ 6
𝑦 = 9𝑥 + 7 𝑦 <𝑥−3

Now I Know… (Activity 1)

1. Now I know that the difference between Linear Equation and Inequality with two variables in terms
of their form is… (5 points)

________________________________________________________________________________

2. Now I know that the difference between Linear Equation and Inequality with two variables in terms
of their graph is… (5 points)

________________________________________________________________________________

Think About This…

Graphing Linear Inequality with Two Variables

There are three steps to graph linear inequalities with two variables.

1. Temporarily replace the inequality sign by an equal sign and rearrange the equation into Slope Intercept
Form (𝒚 = 𝒎𝒙 + 𝒃) so "𝑦" is on the left and everything else on the right.
2. Plot the equation that you have made in step 1. Draw a solid line for 𝒚 ≤ or 𝒚 ≥, and a dashed line
for 𝒚 < or 𝒚 >
3. Shade above the line for a "greater than" (𝒚 > 𝑜𝑟 𝒚 ≥) or below the line for a "less than" (𝒚 < 𝑜𝑟 𝒚 ≤).

Example:

1) Let’s graph 𝟑𝒙 + 𝒚 ≤ 𝟐.

Step 1:
Temporarily replace the inequality sign (≤, ≥, <, >) by an equal sign (=) and rearrange the equation
into Slope Intercept Form (𝒚 = 𝒎𝒙 + 𝒃) so "𝑦" is on the left and everything else on the right.
 3𝑥 + 𝑦 ≤ 2
Solution: 3𝑥 − 3𝑥 + 𝑦 = 2 − 3𝑥
0 + 𝑦 = 2 − 3𝑥
𝒚 = −𝟑𝒙 + 𝟐 (Slope Intercept Form)

Step 2:
Plot the equation that you have made in step 1. Draw a solid line for 𝒚 ≤ or 𝒚 ≥, or a dashed line
for 𝒚 < or 𝒚 >.

Figure 4

Step 3:
Shade above the line for a "greater than" (𝒚 > 𝑜𝑟 𝒚 ≥) or below the line for a "less than"
(𝒚 < 𝑜𝑟 𝒚 ≤).

Figure 5
Figure 5 above shows the graph of 𝟑𝒙 + 𝒚 ≤ 𝟐.
Check your answer using a Test Point

Test Point is any point in the coordinate plane that is inside or outside the shaded region of the graph of the
inequality that is use to verify correctness of the graph.

In the example above let us choose a point outside the shaded region like point (2, 3).

The Test Point (2, 3) is located outside the shaded region where 𝑥 = 2 and 𝑦 = 3. If we replace the value
of 𝑥 and 𝑦 in the inequality 𝟑𝒙 + 𝒚 ≤ 𝟐 we get,

3(2) + (3) ≤ 2
6 + (3) ≤ 2
9 ≤ 2 (which is wrong)
Therefore, the point (2, 3) is not a solution in the inequality 𝟑𝒙 + 𝒚 ≤ 𝟐.

Now let us choose a point that is inside the shaded region like the point (−1, 2).
The Test Point (−2, 1) is located outside the shaded region where 𝑥 = −2 and 𝑦 = 1. If we replace the
value of 𝑥 and 𝑦 in the inequality 𝟑𝒙 + 𝒚 ≤ 𝟐 we get,

3(−2) + (1) ≤ 2
−6 + 1 ≤ 2
−5 ≤ 2 (which is correct)

Therefore, the point (−2, 1) is a solution in the inequality 𝟑𝒙 + 𝒚 ≤ 𝟐.

Hence, all the point inside the shade region of the inequality is a solution.

Try This… (Activity 2)

Graph 𝟐𝒚 − 𝒙 > 𝟔. (Use Pencil in solving and plotting the Inequality) (5 points each step)

Step 1:

Step 2:
 Step 3:

Think About This…

Solving Word Problems Involving Linear Inequalities with Two Variables

Translating Word Problems to Mathematical Statements

For us to solve word problems involving Linear Inequalities with two variables we need to translate first
word problems into mathematical statements.

Example:

The sum of the amount of 1-peso coins and 5-peso coins in Pedro’s coin pouch is more than 50
pesos.

The statement “The sum of the amount of… “, means that we need to add the amount of 1-peso coin and
the amount of 5-peso coin inside Pedro’s pouch.

The statement “1-peso coins and 5-peso coins in Pedro’s coin pouch…”, means the denomination of money
is 1-peso coin and 5-peso coin that is inside Pedro’s pouch but the quantity of every denomination is
unknown.

Let us say “𝑥” represent the unknown quantity of the denomination 1-peso coin and “𝑦” represent the
unknown quantity of the denomination 5-peso coin.

The statement “… is more than 50 pesos.”, means the total amount of 1-peso coins and 5-peso coins in
Pedro’s pouch exceed 50 pesos.
We use the symbol “>” (greater than) for “more than”.

Therefore, the mathematical statement of the word problem mentioned above is,

𝑥 + 5𝑦 > 50
Where 𝑥 is the unknown quantity of 1-peso coin and 𝑦 is the unknown quantity of 5-peso coin.

Inequality Key Words

 at least - means greater than or equal to (≥).

 no more than - means less than or equal to (≤).
 more than - means greater than (>).
 less than - means less than (<).

Try This… (Activity 3)

Translate each word problem into mathematical statement. (5 points each)

1. The difference between Juan’s house and Pedro’s house from the seashore is no more than 9
meters.

Write your final answer here:

________________________________________________________________________________

2. Danny needs at least 210 for the total cost of 3 apples and 7 oranges if he buys it in Mang Nestor’s
Fruit Store.

Write your final answer here:

________________________________________________________________________________

Try This… (Activity 4)

Graph the inequalities in Activity 3. (5 points each step for each number)

(Hint: Use the 3-step method in solving and graphing inequalities.)

Use the graphing paper attached as your answer sheet. (Use Pencil in solving and plotting the Inequality)

Note: Do not forget to write your Name and Section in the answer sheet.
Read This…
Solving Problems Involving Systems of Linear Inequalities in Two Variables

The graph of a system of inequalities in two variables 𝑥 and 𝑦 is the set of all points (𝑥, 𝑦) that
simultaneously satisfy each inequality in the system. The graph of a system of inequalities can be obtained
by graphing each inequality individually and then determining where, if at all, they intersect.

It means that the solution for the Systems of Linear inequalities in Two Variables is the intersection of the
shaded region of each inequality.

Example:

𝑥+𝑦 ≥2 (𝐹𝑖𝑟𝑠𝑡 𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑦)

{
2𝑥 − 𝑦 ≤ 4 (𝑆𝑒𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑 𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑦)

Solution:

Step 1: Solve first and graph for the first inequality.

𝑥+𝑦 ≥2
𝑥+𝑦 =2 (replace ≤ by =)
𝑥 + (−𝑥) + 𝑦 = 2 + (−𝑥) (add −𝑥 on both side)
𝑦 = 2−𝑥 (simplify)
𝑦 ≥ −𝑥 + 2 (rearrange – 𝑥 and 2 and replace = by ≥)

Graph:
 Step 2: Solve and graph for the second inequality.

2𝑥 − 𝑦 ≤ 4
2𝑥 − 𝑦 = 4 (replace ≤ by =)
2𝑥 − 𝑦 − 2𝑥 = 4 − 2𝑥 (add −2𝑥 on both side)
−𝑦 = 4 − 2𝑥
(−1)(−𝑦) = (−1)(4 − 2𝑥) (multiply both side by −1)
𝑦 = −4 + 2𝑥 (simplify)
𝑦 = 2𝑥 − 4 (rearrange)
𝑦 ≥ 2𝑥 − 4 (replace = by ≥)

Notice how the sign of the inequality flipped when we multiplied by negative one. Much like when you divide by
a negative number, the sign of the inequality must flip! Here's why:

Imagine comparing the numbers 5 and 3. Clearly 5 > 3.

But what about 5(−1) > 3(−1)? The result is −5 > −3?!?!

Obviously this is wrong! When you multiply both sides by a negative value you make the side that is greater have a
"bigger" negative number, which actually means it is now less than the other side! This is why you must flip the sign
whenever you multiply by a negative number.

Graph:
 Step 3: The shaded region of the intersection of the two inequalities is the solution.

Intersection

For us to see if our graph is correct, let us use specific test points inside the intersection and outside the intersection.
Let us choose point (1, 3), a point inside the intersection and point (4, 1), a point outside the intersection.
In point (1, 3), 𝑥 = 1 and 𝑦 = 3. If we substitute each value we get,

First inequality:
𝑥+𝑦 ≥2
(1) + (3) ≥ 2 Substitute 𝑥 and 𝑦 with the given value.
4≥2 The values hold true in the first inequality.

Second inequality:
2𝑥 − 𝑦 ≤ 4
2(1) − (3) ≤ 4 Substitute 𝑥 and 𝑦 with the given value.
2−3≤4
−1 ≤ 4 The values hold true in the second inequality.

Therefore, point (1, 3) is a solution to the system of inequalities hence it is located inside the intersection
region.

In point (4, 1), 𝑥 = 4 and 𝑦 = 1. If we substitute each value we get,

First inequality:
𝑥+𝑦 ≥2
(4) + (1) ≥ 2 Substitute 𝑥 and 𝑦 with the given value.
5≥2 The values hold true in the first inequality.

Second inequality:
2𝑥 − 𝑦 ≤ 4
2(4) − (1) ≤ 4 Substitute 𝑥 and 𝑦 with the given value.
8−1≤4
7≤4 The values do not satisfy the second inequality.

Therefore, point (4, 1) is not a solution to the system of inequalities hence it is located outside the
intersection region.

Try This… (Activity 5)

Solve and graph the following Systems of Linear Inequalities.
Use Test Points to verify the solution. (20 points each)

(Hint: Use the 3-step method in solving and graphing inequalities.)

Use the graphing paper attached as your answer sheet. (Use Pencil in solving and plotting the graph.)

Note: Do not forget to write your Name and Section in the answer sheet.

𝑥 + 2𝑦 < 3
1. {
𝑥 − 𝑦 ≤ −1

3𝑥 + 𝑦 ≥ 1
2. {
𝑥 − 3𝑦 ≤ 0