Course Code and Title: MAT100 – MATHEMATICS IN THE MODERN WORLD

Lesson 11 Week 11
Topic: SYSTEM OF LINEAR INEQUALITIES

SYSTEM OF LINEAR INEQUALITIES

INTRODUCTION:
Solving Systems of Linear Inequalities

Solving a system of linear inequalities is similar to solving a system of linear equations,

but with inequalities, we are not finding a point (or points) of intersect. Instead, the solution set
will be the region that satisfies all of the linear inequalities. The best way to solve linear
inequalities is to use the graphical method discussed in earlier lessons.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

At the end of this lesson, you should be able to:

• define inequality, its symbols and illustrate its properties;

• graph linear inequalities in two variables;
• find the solution sets of the sets of linear inequalities; and
• practice cooperation in class activities.

CONTENT:

We all know from the previous lesson that the graph of a linear equation separates the
coordinate plane into three sets of points: point on the line, points above the line, and points
below the line. The regions above and below the line are called half-planes. The line is called
the boundary of each half-plane.

You can write an equation for the graph of a line when certain characteristics of the line
are given. Example: What is the equation of this line?

• Find the y-intercept, b. The point where the line crosses the y-axis. b = 1
3
• Find the slope, m = 2 . The slope of a line is a measure of its steepness.

Mathematically, slope is calculated as "rise over run" (change in y divided

by change in x).
• The slope equals the rise divided by the run: You can determine the
slope of a line from its graph by looking at the rise and run. One
characteristic of a line is that its slope is constant all the way along it.
𝑦 −𝑦 𝑟𝑖𝑠𝑒 3
m = 𝑥2−𝑥1 = 𝑟𝑢𝑛 = 2
2 1

3
Write the equation: y = mx + b y=2x+1 2y = 3x + 1

Therefore, -3x + 2y = 1 is the equation of the line.

A system of linear inequalities is a set of two or more linear inequalities containing two
or more variables. The solutions of a systems of linear inequalities consists of all the ordered
pairs that satisfy all the linear inequalities in the system and the graph of the linear inequality is
the graph of all solutions of the system.

Now let’s try to solve a real-life situation related to linear inequality:

“If peanuts cost $4 a pound and cashews cost $8 a pound, how would
you draw a graph to show the different combinations of nuts that you
could buy for $24 or less?”
 To draw such a graph, you would need to graph a linear inequality in two variables. A
linear inequality relates two linear expressions with an inequality sign. The graph of a linear
inequality includes all points (x, y) on one side of the line and may include the line as well.

Basically, there are five inequality symbols used to represent equations of inequality.
These are: is less than (<), is greater than (>), is less than or equal to (≤), is greater than or
equal to (≥), and the is not equal to symbols (≠). Inequalities are used to compare numbers and
determine the range or ranges of values that satisfy the conditions of a given variable.

The graphs of inequalities are shown by shading. If the inequality uses < or >, the
boundary line is not part of the graph and is drawn as a dashed or broken line. This is called an
open half-plane. If the inequality uses ≤ or ≥, the boundary line is part of the graph and is
drawn as a solid line. This is called a closed half-plane.

To solve a system of linear inequalities graphically if the coefficient of y is not zero, we

will follow these steps:

1. Write the given inequality as an equivalent inequality that has y alone on one side.
Example: -3x + 2y ≤ 6 -3x + 2y = 6
3
2. Change the equation into y = mx + b form: y = 2 x + 3
𝑟𝑖𝑠𝑒 3
3. Graph the line. Start with y-intercept: (0, 3) Slope = =2
𝑟𝑢𝑛

Treat the inequality as a linear equation and graph the line as either a solid line or a
dashed line depending on the inequality sign. If the inequality sign does not contain an equal
sign (< or >), then draw it as a dashed line. If the inequality sign has an equal sign (≤ or ≥), then
draw the line as a solid line.
4. Test the inequality with the point (0, 0).
Example: -3x + 2y ≤ 6; -3(0) + 2(0) ≤ 6; 0 – 0 ≤ 16; 0≤6 True

5. Shade the region that satisfies the inequality. If true, then the region containing the (0, 0)

will be shaded. Otherwise, if false then the region containing the (0, 0) is not to be

shaded.

6. Repeat steps 1 – 5 for the other inequality.

7. The solution set of our example will be the region of the inequality.
3
s. s. = {(x, y) | y ≤ x + 3}
2

EXAMPLE 1: Determine the solution to the following system of inequalities.

(1) 3x + y > 4
(2) -2x + y < - 6
SOLUTION:
Step 1: Write the given inequalities as equivalent equalities that has y alone on one
side. Change (<) or (>) signs to equal (=) signs to be able to find the
equation of the line.
(1) 3x + y > 4 3x + y = 4

(2) -2x + y < - 6 -2x + y = - 6

Step 2: Change the equation into y = mx + b form:

(1) y = -3x + 4 b = 4; m=-3

(2) y = 2x – 6 b = - 6; m = 2
𝑟𝑖𝑠𝑒 −3
Step 3: Graph the lines. For (1): Start with y-intercept: (0, 4) Slope = =
𝑟𝑢𝑛 1

𝑟𝑖𝑠𝑒 2
For (2): Start with y-intercept: (0, -6) Slope = = Notice that
𝑟𝑢𝑛 1

instead of a solid line we have a dashed or broken line. This is because

the points on the lines are not part of the solution set.

Step 4. Test the inequality with the point (0, 0).

3x + y > 4; 3(0) + 1(0) > 4; 0 + 0 > 4; 0 > 4 False
-2x + y < - 6; -2(0) + 1(0) < - 6; 0+0<-6 0 < - 6 False
 Step 5. Shade the region that satisfies the inequality. If true, then the region
containing the (0, 0) will be shaded. Otherwise, if false then the region
containing the (0, 0) is not to be shaded.

Step 6. The solution sets of the system of inequalities are the ordered pairs
contained in the area (colored pink with big letter S) of the overlapped
region. Hence, the solution set of the system of inequality is:
s. s. = {(x, y) | y > -3x + 4} ∩ {(x, y) | y < 2x - 6}

EXAMPLE 2: Determine the solution of the following system of inequalities.

5x – 2y ≤ 10
3x + 2y < 6

SOLUTION: Solve the inequality for y. 5x – 2y ≤ 10 Divide each side by - 2.

−2 −5 10
y ≤ −2 x + −2
−2

Reverse the order of the inequality to its opposite.

5
y≥ x–5
2

Graph the boundary line for the inequality. Since the inequality

contains an equal sign (≥) the boundary line will be a solid line.

5
y-intercept = - 5, slope = 2 .
 Shade the region that satisfies the inequality. Since the inequality states
5
the y must be greater than or equal to (≥) x – 5. The region to be
2

shaded will be that above the boundary line.

Solve the second inequality for y. 3x + 2y < 6

2y < - 3x + 6

Divide each side by 2. Reverse the order of the inequality to its opposite.

2 −3 6
y> x+2
2 2

−3
Graph the boundary line for the second inequality: y> x+3
2

Since the inequality does not contain an equal sign, the boundary line will
−3
be a dashed line. y-intercept = 3, slope = .
2
Shade the region that satisfies the second inequality. Since the inequality

−3
states that the y is greater than (>) x + 3, then the region to be
2

shaded will be that above the boundary line.

The solution set will be the overlapped (double shaded) region.

The solution set region (as shown in green and gray) would include the
solid boundary line above the dashed boundary line but not the dashed
boundary line itself are the ordered pairs contained in the area of the
overlapped region.
Hence, the solution set of the system of inequality is:
5 −3
s. s. = {(x, y) | y ≥ x – 5} ∩ {(x, y) | y > x + 3}
2 2
SUMMARY:

We are now ready to consider systems of inequalities in two variables. Just like what we
did in solving systems of equations, the solution set of a system of inequalities is the
intersection of the solution sets of the individual inequality of the system. Inasmuch as the
method of solution to be considered is the graphical method, our actual target is to find all
points (x, y) which belong to the graphs of both inequalities.

Several methods of solving systems of linear equations translate to the system of

linear inequalities. However, solving a system of linear inequalities is somewhat
different from linear equations because the inequality signs hinder us from solving by
substitution or elimination method. Perhaps the best method to solve systems of linear
inequalities is by graphing the inequalities simultaneously.

Thus, we need to draw the graph of the related equations, indicate the region where the
points lie and then determine the intersection of the regions obtained by graphing.

REFERENCES:

Orence, Orlando A. and Mendoza, Marilyn O. (2013) " Exploring Mathematics II." Rex
Bookstore, Incorporated.

Orines, Fernando B., Dilao, Soledad, Bernabe, Julieta G. (2015) " Advanced Algebra –
Trigonometry and Statistics Functional Approach." Vibal Publishing House
Incorporated

Orines, Fernando B., Dilao, Soledad, Bernabe, Julieta G. (2013) "Algebra II –Functional
Approach." Vibal Publishing House Incorporated

Enriquez, Ymas Jr., Patiak, Estuchi, Escalona, and Pelayo (2015), " College Algebra with
Recreational Mathematics," Sta. Monica Printing Corporation