Big Ideas Math Integrated I, 2016
BI
Big Ideas Math Integrated I, 2016 View details
7. Systems of Linear Inequalities
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Exercise 45 Page 262

Practice makes perfect
a We will start by graphing the given inequality. Then, we can write a second inequality that does not have any common solutions with the given one.

Graphing

To begin, we will isolate This will make graphing the boundary line easier.
Solve for
Let's write the boundary line. To do so, we substitute the inequality sign with an equals sign.
The boundary line has a slope of and a intercept of Notice that we have a strict inequality. Therefore, the boundary line will be dashed.
boundary line
To decide which side to shade, we can use a test point that is not on the line. If the inequality holds true when substituting the coordinates of this point, we will shade the region that contains it. Otherwise, we will shade the opposite region. For simplicity, let's use
The inequality holds true. This means we should shade the side of the boundary line that contains the point.
given inequality

Writing the Second Inequality

For our second inequality not to overlap with the one above, the boundary lines must be parallel. Otherwise, the lines will inevitably intersect and the solution sets will overlap. Moreover, to also avoid overlapping solution sets, the intercept of our line must be less than Let's arbitrarily choose a intercept of
Let's draw this line on the same coordinate plane.
boundary line
To shade the region below the second boundary line, we have to determine the inequality sign. To do so, we will use the point When substituted into the inequality, it must produce a true statement. Note that we do not really care if the line is dashed or solid. For simplicity, we will leave it solid and the inequality will be not strict.
The inequality sign is less than or equal to. Therefore, our inequality is Let's shade the region!
second inequality
Finally, we form our system of inequalities by combining the inequalities.
b If any system of inequalities has a solution, it does in fact, have infinitely many solutions. This is because any region on a coordinate plane contains infinitely many points. In Part A, we created a system with no solution.
By flipping the inequality sign of Inequality (II), we will make it point the opposite direction. Therefore, we will get overlapping regions.
flipped inequality

Let's finally cut away the non-overlapping region.

overlapping region
The shaded region, which is the solution to the system, contains infinitely many points.
The system above has infinitely many solutions.