4. Solving Systems of Inequalities
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Chapter 5
4.
Solving Systems of Inequalities
Solving systems of inequalities involves finding regions where multiple inequalities overlap on a graph. These systems can be visualized by plotting each inequality on the same coordinate plane. The overlapping region represents the solution set of the system. For instance, when considering Jordan's situation of managing her budget while buying gifts, a system of inequalities can represent the possible number of items she can purchase without exceeding her budget. Similarly, when planning a travel route, the total distance and time can be represented through inequalities to ensure the journey meets specific criteria. Graphing these inequalities helps in visualizing the feasible solutions and making informed decisions.
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Lesson Settings & Tools
| | 10 Theory slides |
| | 15 Exercises - Grade E - A |
| | Each lesson is meant to take 1-2 classroom sessions |
Solving Systems of Inequalities
Slide of 10
Every individual benefits from the efficient use of their resources such as time and money. To use such resources effectively, several inequalities might need to be solved simultaneously. Together, these inequalities form a system. This lesson will teach how to write systems of inequalities and how to solve them using graphs.
Catch-Up and Review
Here are a few recommended readings before getting started with this lesson.
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Matching Graphs With Inequalities
Each of the following graphs represents the solution set of a certain inequality.
Pair each graph with its corresponding inequality.
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Analyzing Plane Regions Formed by Two Inequalities
In the following applet, each of the solution sets of the inequalities presented previously can be viewed on the same coordinate plane. Plane regions are formed once two inequalities are drawn. Only two can be drawn at a time.
Think about what each of these regions — overlapping, shaded, and unshaded — represent.
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System of Linear Inequalities
As seen earlier, when two or more inequalities are graphed on the same coordinate plane, their solution sets may overlap. In these cases, the set of all inequalities being solved simultaneously forms a system of inequalities.
Concept
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System of Inequalities
A system of inequalities is a set of two or more inequalities involving the same variables. For example, the set formed by the following two inequalities is a system.
y ≤ - 0.5x+3 y > x
The solution set of a system of inequalities is the set of all ordered pairs that satisfy all the inequalities in the system simultaneously. The ordered pair ( 0, 1), for example, is a solution to the above system.
1 ≤ - 0.5( 0)+3 & ✓ 1 > 0 & ✓
Usually, systems of inequalities are solved by graphing each inequality on the same coordinate plane. When the inequalities in a system are graphed, the coordinate plane is divided into different regions. These regions provide an insight into the determination of the solution set. To see what these regions represent for the aforementioned system, move point P.
Of the regions formed, the overlapping region represents the solution set of the system.
Method
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Solving a System of Linear Inequalities Graphically
A system of linear inequalities can be solved by graphing all inequalities on the same coordinate plane and then finding the region of intersection, if any. For example, consider the following system. x+y<7 & (I) x+2y ≤ 10 & (II) To solve the system graphically, these three steps can be followed.
1
Write the Inequalities in Slope-Intercept Form
expand_more To simplify the process of graphing the inequalities, start by writing them in slope-intercept form.
2
Graph the Inequalities
expand_more To graph the inequalities, begin with writing the corresponding boundary lines. The boundary line of the first inequality is y=- x + 7. Inequality I:& y<- x + 7 Boundary Line I:& y = - x + 7
Since the inequality is strict, the boundary line should be dashed and, in this case, the shaded region is the one below the line.
Similarly, the boundary line of the second inequality is y=-0.5x+5. Inequality II:& y< - 0.5x + 5 Boundary Line II:& y = -0.5 x + 5
Since the inequality is non-strict, its boundary line is solid. In addition, the region to be shaded is the one below the line. This inequality will be graphed on the same coordinate plane.
3
Find the Overlapping Region
expand_more Notice that there is a region where the solution sets of the inequalities overlap. All the points in this region satisfy both inequalities simultaneously. Therefore, the overlapping region is the solution set of the system. In the next graph, only the common region is shaded.
Since the boundary lines in their entirety are not part of the solution set, they can be cropped to show only the edges of the overlapping region, or the exceeding parts can be drawn with lower opacity.
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Buying Gifts Without Going Over Budget
Jordan, feeling jolly, is thinking about giving gifts to her teammates — there are 30 players. Shopping at a stationery store, she decides it is best to buy some fancy ballpoint and fountain pens. She wants to spend less than $240 and is now unsure whether to give all or only some of her teammates a gift.
Let x and y be the number of ballpoint and fountain pens Jordan will buy, respectively.
a Help Jordan and write a system of inequalities that represents this situation.
b Graph the solution set of the system.
c If Jordan wants to buy the maximum number of fountain pens she can under her budget, what is the maximum number of teammates that could get a gift? How many of them will get a ballpoint pen?
Answer
a x + y ≤ 30 6x+12y < 240
b Graph:
c A maximum of 20 teammates could get a gift. Of that number, only one would get a ballpoint pen.
Hint
a Recall that Jordan can buy at most 30 gifts and that the total cost has to be less than $240.
b To graph the solution set of the system of inequalities, start by writing the inequalities in slope-intercept form. Note that only points with non-negative and integer coordinates are meaningful.
c Of the points in the solution set, which one has the greatest y-coordinate?
Solution
a Since Jordan has 30 teammates, she can buy at most 30 gifts. In other words, the sum of the number of ballpoint pens x and the number of fountain pens y can be at most 30. This leads to writing the first inequality.
x + y ≤ 30 Jordan does not want to go over budget and wants to spend less than $240. Therefore, the total cost of the pens has to be less than 240. Total Cost < 240 The total cost equals the number of ballpoint pens bought multiplied by its price plus the number of fountain pens bought multiplied by its price. Using the fact that each ballpoint pen costs $6.00 and each fountain pen costs $12.00, a second inequality can be set. 6x + 12y < 240 In consequence, the following system of inequalities models Jordan's situation. x + y ≤ 30 & (I) 6x+12y < 240 & (II)
b To solve the system written in Part A graphically, both inequalities will be graphed on the same coordinate plane.
x + y ≤ 30 & (I) 6x+12y < 240 & (II)
y ≤ - x + 30 y < - 12x + 20
c Since y represents the number of fountain pens that Jordan will buy, in the solution of the system found in Part B, look for the points with the greatest y-coordinate.
With the first option, 19 teammates will receive a gift, while 20 teammates will get a gift with the second option. Therefore, if Jordan buys the maximum number of fountain pens she can, the maximum number of teammates that could get a gift is 20. Of those 20 teammates, only one would get a ballpoint pen.
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Working Two Jobs Without Being Overworked
Jordan enjoyed being able to buy gifts for her friends. Now she wants to save up to buy a family members car. To achieve this goal, she dares to work two jobs this summer — one in a mechanic shop and another in a bakery. She can make $9 per hour in the mechanic shop and $8 per hour in the bakery.
Jordan plans to work every day for at least 4 more hours in the bakery than in the mechanic shop. However, since she does not want to overwork, she does not plan to earn more than $108 per day.
Next, inequality (II) will be graphed on the same coordinate plane. To do so, draw the boundary line, whose equation is y=-1.125x+13.5. Since the inequality is non-strict, this line will also be solid. In this case, the region to be shaded is the one below the line.
The solution to the system of inequalities is the overlapping region. Notice that negative values do not make sense in this context. Therefore, the shaded region will include but also be limited by the y-axis. Consequently, the system's solution looks as follows. 
Because the second line drawn represents Jordan's maximum possible daily income, the further a point is from this line, the lower the income that the point represents. Of the points, the one that is farthest from the line is (1,5) which represents the case when Jordan worked 1 hour in the mechanic shop and 5 hours in the bakery.
( 1, 5) ⇒ 👨🏼🔧 * 1 hour 👨🏼🍳 * 5 hour
With this combination of worked hours, the minimum income that Jordan could have earned last Friday can be found. To do so, substitute x= 1 and y= 5 into the expression representing the daily income.
Consequently, the minimum amount of money that Jordan could have earned last Friday is $49.
a Let x and y be the number of hours that Jordan will work in the mechanic shop and in the bakery every day, respectively. Write a system of inequalities that models Jordan's situation.
b Solve the system graphically.
c Last Friday, Jordan worked whole number of hours in both places. What is the minimum amount of money she could have earned last Friday?
Answer
a y ≥ x+4 9x + 8y ≤ 108
b Graph:
c $49
Hint
a Note that y must be greater than or equal to x+4. Also, be aware that Jordan plans to earn at most $108 per day.
b Both boundary lines have to be drawn solid, and negative values do not make sense.
c Look for the points with integer coordinates inside the region drawn in Part B. Which of these points is farthest from the line representing the maximum daily earnings? Use the coordinates of that point to determine the amount of money earned.
Solution
a Since Jordan wants to work in the bakery at least 4 more hours than in the mechanic shop, y must be greater than or equal to x plus 4.
Bakery & [-0.15cm] ^(↑) y &≥ ↓x + 4 [-0.15cm] & Mechanic Shop On the other hand, it is said that Jordan plans to earn no more than $108. That is, her daily income is at most $108. Daily Income ≤ 108 The daily income equals the hourly rate multiplied by the number of hours worked. Since Jordan has two jobs, her daily income equals 9 multiplied by the number of hours worked in the mechanic shop added to 8 multiplied by the number of hours worked in the bakery. 9x + 8y ≤ 108 Consequently, the following system of inequalities models Jordan's situation. y ≥ x+4 & (I) 9x + 8y ≤ 108 & (II)
b To solve the system written in Part A graphically, both inequalities will be graphed on the same coordinate plane.
y ≥ x+4 & (I) 9x + 8y ≤ 108 & (II)
y ≥ x+4 y ≤ -1.125x + 13.5
c It is given that Jordan worked an integer number of hours in both jobs last Friday. Then, look for the points with integer coordinates inside the shaded region drawn in Part B. Since the points on the y-axis represent the case where Jordan did not work in the mechanic shop, these points should not be considered.
Daily Income = 9x+8y
▼
Substitute coordinates and evaluate
SubstituteII
x= 1, y= 5
Daily Income = 9( 1)+8( 5)
Multiply
Multiply
Daily Income = 9+40
AddTerms
Add terms
Daily Income = 49
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A Cinema's Expected Attendance and Revenue
Jordan now has a bit of extra cash to spend. She is excited for a new movie release. Ticket prices vary depending on the customer's age — $6 for children and $9 for adults. The cinema expects more than 250 people to attend the premiere but they do not expect a revenue of more than $2700.
Jordan finds herself wanting to solve this problem during her break time at the bakery. Let x and y be the number of children and adults who attended the movie premiere, respectively.
Next, graph inequality (II) on the same coordinate plane. To do so, draw the boundary line whose equation is y=- 23x+300. Since the inequality is not strict, this line will be drawn solid. In this case, the region to be shaded is the one below the line.
The solution to the system of inequalities is the overlapping region. However, because of the context, only non-negative and integer values make sense. Therefore, the region where both inequalities overlap will also be limited by the axes, including them. 
Instead of showing each point separately on the graph, because it is difficult to do so, the region where these points lie is shown. However, remember that only the points with integer coordinates are meaningful.
The number of adults who could have attended the premiere can be any point whose x-coordinate is 150 and lie inside the shaded region. Of those points, ( 150,200) has the the maximum integer y-coordinate and ( 150,101) has the minimum y-coordinate.
( 150,200) ← Maximumy-coordinate ( 150,101) ← Minimumy-coordinate
Therefore, the number of adults who could have attended the premiere is any number between 101 and 200, inclusive.
a Write a system of inequalities that models the given situation.
b Solve the system graphically.
c If the cinema's expectations were met and 150 children attended the premiere, what is the maximum and minimum possible number of adults who could have attended the premiere?
Answer
a x + y > 250 6x + 9y ≤ 2700
b Graph:
c Maximum: 200
Minimum: 101
Hint
a The number of attendees is greater than 250. The cinema's revenue is less than or equal to 2700.
b The line representing the attendance is dashed while the other line is solid. In this context, only non-negative and integer values for x and y make sense.
c Look for the points whose x-coordinate is 150 and lie inside the shaded region drawn in Part B. Of those points, what is the maximum integer y-coordinate?
Solution
a Since the cinema expects an attendance of more than 250 people, the number of children plus the number of adults must be greater than 250.
x + y > 250 Also, it is said that the estimated revenue will be no more than $2700. Therefore, the revenue is less than or equal to 2700. Revenue ≤ 2700 The cinema's revenue equals the number of children who attended the premiere multiplied by 6 added to the number of adults who attended the premiere multiplied by 9. 6x + 9y ≤ 2700 Consequently, the following system of inequalities models the described situation. x + y > 250 6x + 9y ≤ 2700
b To solve the system written in Part A graphically, both inequalities will be graphed on the same coordinate plane.
x + y > 250 & (I) 6x + 9y ≤ 2700 & (II)
y > - x + 250 y ≤ - 23x + 300
c It is known that the expected conditions have occurred.
- More than 250 people attended the premiere.
- Less than $2700 was earned.
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Analyzing a Road Trip Plan
Finally, Jordan was able to save enough money to buy a used car! She now plans to take a mini-road trip to visit a relative across-state. First, she will pick up her sister Ramsha, who lives in a different city. The travel distance depends on the path she chooses, but the entire route is no less than 990 kilometers. Jordan would like to drive for a maximum of 8 hours.
Jordan plans to drive at 70 kilometers per hour from her house to Ramsha's, and from there, she plans to increase the speed to 110 kilometers per hour until reaching her relative's house.
a Let x be the time it takes Jordan to drive from her house to Ramsha, and let y be the time it takes to drive from Ramsha's house to her relative's house. Write a system of inequalities that models Jordan's travel plan.
b Solve the system graphically.
Answer
a x + y ≤ 8 70x + 110y ≥ 990
b The system has no realistic solution — the regions do not intersect in the first quadrant.
Hint
a The sum of the traveling times cannot be greater than 8. When speed is multiplied by time, the distance traveled is obtained. That is, d=r* t. Note that the sum of the distances is greater than or equal to 990 kilometers.
b Both boundary lines have to be drawn solid. Note that negative values do not make sense.
Solution
a Since Jodran wants to drive at most for 8 hours, the sum of the times, x and y, should be at most 8. With this, the first inequality can be written.
x + y ≤ 8 On the other hand, it is said that the entire route is no less than 990 kilometers, which means that the distance to drive is greater than or equal to 990 kilometers. Distance to Drive ≥ 990 This distance can be written in terms of x and y by using the speed formula d=r* t. According to Jordan's plan, she will drive to Ramsha's house at a rate of 70 kilometers per hour. Multiplying this rate by the time elapsed to arrive at Ramsha's house gives the distance traveled from her house to Ramsha's. Distance from Jordan's house to Ramsha's ⇓ 70x Similarly, multiplying the second rate, 110 kilometers per hour, by the time it takes for the rest of the route, the distance from Ramsha's house to their relative's will be obtained. Distance from Ramsha's house to their relative's ⇓ 110y The sum of these distances equals the distance needed to drive. Thus, a second inequality can be set. 70x + 110y ≥ 990 These two inequalities need to be satisfied simultaneously. Therefore, the two inequalities together form a system of inequalities that models Jordan's travel plan. x + y ≤ 8 70x + 110y ≥ 990
b To solve the system written in Part A graphically, both inequalities will be graphed on the same coordinate plane.
x + y ≤ 8 & (I) 70x + 110y ≥ 990 & (II)
y ≤ - x + 8 y ≥ - 711x + 9
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Solving Systems of Linear Inequalities Graphically
For each given system of linear inequalities, select the region corresponding to its solution set, if any.
Closure
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Systems With More Than Two Inequalities
When working with a system of inequalities, there is no upper limit to the number of inequalities that can be analyzed. Consider, for example, the following system with three inequalities. -3x + 4y ≥ -8 & (I) 2x + y > -6 & (II) x + 4y ≤ 4 & (III) The steps to solve this system are the same as those used to solve a system with only two inequalities.
- Write the inequalities in slope-intercept form.
- Graph each inequality in the system.
- Find the region where all the graphs overlap.
Solving Systems of Inequalities
Exercise 1.1
Consider the following system of inequalities. y ≤ 2x-2 y > - x -4 Which of the following is the solution set of the system of inequalities?
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To determine which of the options is the solution set, let's graph the system of inequalities. y ≤ 2x-2 & (I) y > - x -4 & (II) Note that both inequalities are written in slope-intercept form. Let's plot the first inequality. To do this, we first identify the corresponding boundary line. ccc Inequality & & Boundary Line y ≤ 2x-2 & & y = 2x-2 To determine which region to shade, we will test (0,0) in the inequality.
We got a false statement. Therefore, the region to be shaded is the one not containing the origin. Remember, since the inequality is non-strict we will draw the boundary line solid. We are now ready to plot our first inequality.
Next, let's plot the second inequality. Again, we start by writing its boundary line. ccc Inequality & & Boundary Line y > - x -4 & & y = - x -4 As before, to determine which region to shade let's test (0,0) in the inequality.
We got a true statement, which implies that the we have to shade the region containing the origin. Since the second inequality is strict, the boundary line is dashed. Let's graph this inequality on the same coordinate plane we graphed the first inequality.
Finally, let's graph only the solution set of the system of inequalities — the overlapping region.
Comparing the solution set we got with the four given ones, we conclude that the correct choice is option C.
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Consider the following system of inequalities.
{
l
y > 2x + 3
y > 2x - 1
.
Which of the following plane regions describes the solution set of the system of inequalities?
A. & The region above the liney=2x-1
& without including it.
B. & The region below the liney=2x-1
& without including it.
C. & The region above the liney=2x+3
& without including it.
D. & The region above the liney=2x+3
& including it.
{"type":"choice","form":{"alts":["A","B","C","D"],"noSort":true},"formTextBefore":"","formTextAfter":"","answer":2}
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To determine which of the regions describes the solution set, let's graph the system of inequalities. y > 2x + 3 & (I) y > 2x - 1 & (II) The first thing we note is that both inequalities are already written in slope-intercept form. Let's continue by writing the equations of the boundary lines. ccc Inequality & & Boundary Line [0.5em] y > 2x + 3 & & y = 2x + 3 [0.25em] y > 2x - 1 & & y = 2x - 1 A second thing to note is that both boundary lines have the same slope, which means that the lines are parallel. Also, both inequalities are strict, so we will draw both boundary lines dashed.
Let's focus for a moment on the first inequality. To determine which region to shade, we will test (0,0) in the first inequality.
We got a false statement. Therefore, we have to shade the region not containing the origin — the region above the line y=2x+3.
In a similar fashion, let's test (0,0) in the second inequality to determine which region to shade.
We got a true statement. Therefore, we have to shade the region containing the origin — the region above the line y=2x-1.
Finally, let's graph only the solution set — the overlapping region.
Consequently, option C describes the solution set of the system of inequalities. Option C The region above the liney=2x+3 without including it.
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Consider the following plane regions.
A. & The region between the linesy= 12x+4
& andy= 12x-2, including only the line
& y= 12x-2.
B. & The region below the liney= 12x-2,
& including it.
C. & The region below the liney= 12x+4,
& without including it.
D. & The region above the liney= 12x-2,
& including it.
Which of these regions describes the solution set of the following system of inequalities?
{
l
y < 12x + 4
y ≤ 12x -2
.
{"type":"choice","form":{"alts":["A","B","C","D"],"noSort":true},"formTextBefore":"","formTextAfter":"","answer":1}
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To determine which of the regions describes the solution set, let's graph the system of inequalities. y < 12x + 4 [0.1cm] y ≤ 12x -2 The first thing we note is that both inequalities are already written in slope-intercept form. Let's continue by writing the equations of the boundary lines. ccc Inequality & & Boundary Line [0.5em] y < 12x + 4 & & y = 12x + 4 [0.15cm] y ≤ 12x -2 & & y = 12x -2 A second thing to note is that both boundary lines have the same slope, which means that the lines are parallel. Since the first inequality is strict, we will draw the first boundary line dashed. In contrast, the second inequality is non-strict and therefore, we will draw the second boundary line solid.
Let's focus for a moment on the first inequality. To determine which region to shade, we will test (0,0) in the first inequality.
We got a true statement. Therefore, we have to shade the region containing the origin — the region below the line y= 12x+4.
In a similar fashion, let's test (0,0) in the second inequality to determine which region to shade.
We got a false statement. Therefore, we have to shade the region not containing the origin — the region below the line y= 12x-2.
Finally, let's graph only the solution set — the overlapping region.
Consequently, option B describes the solution set of the system of inequalities. Option B The region below the liney= 12x-2, including it.
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Consider the following plane regions.
A. & The region between the linesy= 13x-4
& andy= 13x+3, including both lines.
B. & The region above the liney= 13x-4,
& including it.
C. & The region below the liney= 13x+3,
& including it.
D. & The region above the liney= 13x+3,
& including it.
Which of these regions describes the solution set of the following system of inequalities?
{
l
y ≥ 13x - 4
y ≤ 13x + 3
.
{"type":"choice","form":{"alts":["A","B","C","D"],"noSort":true},"formTextBefore":"","formTextAfter":"","answer":0}
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To determine which of the regions describes the solution set, let's graph the system of inequalities. y ≥ 13x - 4 [0.1cm] y ≤ 13x + 3 The first thing we note is that both inequalities are already written in slope-intercept form. Let's continue by writing the equations of the boundary lines. ccc Inequality & & Boundary Line [0.5em] y ≥ 13x - 4 & & y = 13x - 4 [0.15cm] y ≤ 13x + 3 & & y = 13x + 3 A second thing to note is that both boundary lines have the same slope, which means that the lines are parallel. Also, both inequalities are non-strict which means that we have to draw both boundary lines solid.
Let's focus for a moment on the first inequality. To determine which region to shade, we will test (0,0) in the first inequality.
We got a true statement. Therefore, we have to shade the region containing the origin — the region above the line y= 13x-4.
In a similar fashion, let's test (0,0) in the second inequality to determine which region to shade.
We got a true statement. Therefore, we have to shade the region containing the origin — the region below the line y= 13x+3.
Finally, let's graph only the solution set — the overlapping region.
Comparing this region to the four given descriptions, we conclude that option A describes the solution set of the system of inequalities. Option A The region between the linesy= 13x-4 andy= 13x+3, including both lines.
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Consider the following system of inequalities.
{
y ≤ x - 1
y > x + 1
.
Which of the following claims is true about the system of inequalities?
A. & The solution set is the region above the
& liney=x+1, without including it.
B. & The solution set is the region between
& the linesy=x-1 andy=x+1,
& including only the liney=x-1.
C. & The solution set is the region below the
& liney=x-1, including it.
D. & The system has no solution.
{"type":"choice","form":{"alts":["A","B","C","D"],"noSort":true},"formTextBefore":"","formTextAfter":"","answer":3}
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To determine which of the claims is true about the system of inequalities, let's solve it graphically. y ≤ x - 1 y > x + 1 The first thing we note is that both inequalities are already written in slope-intercept form. Let's continue by writing the equations of the boundary lines. ccc Inequality & & Boundary Line [0.5em] y ≤ x - 1 & & y = x - 1 y > x + 1 & & y = x + 1 A second thing to note is that both boundary lines have the same slope, which means that the lines are parallel. Since the first inequality is non-strict, we will draw the first boundary line solid. In contrast, the second inequality is strict and therefore, we will draw the second boundary line dashed.
Let's focus for a moment on the first inequality. To determine which region to shade, we will test (0,0) in the first inequality.
We got a false statement. Therefore, we have to shade the region not containing the origin — the region below the line y=x-1.
In a similar fashion, let's test (0,0) in the second inequality to determine which region to shade.
We got a false statement. Therefore, we have to shade the region not containing the origin — the region above the line y=x+1.
As we can see, the individual solution sets do not overlap each other. This means that the system of equations has no solutions. Consequently, option D is the true statement about the system. Option D The system has no solution.
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Determine if the point (-2,-2) is a solution to the system whose solution is graphed.
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{"type":"choice","form":{"alts":["Yes","No"],"noSort":true},"formTextBefore":"","formTextAfter":"","answer":1}
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Let's plot the point (- 2, - 2) in the given coordinate plane. If it lies in the shaded area, then the ordered pair is a solution of the system of inequalities.
Since the point lies within the shaded area, the ordered pair (- 2,- 2) is a solution to the system of linear inequalities.
We will plot the point (-2,-2) in the same coordinate plane as the system.
The point is not in the shaded region, and thus it is not a solution to the system of inequalities.
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Is (3,11) a solution to the following system?
y>x+5 y<3x+8
{"type":"choice","form":{"alts":["Yes","No"],"noSort":true},"formTextBefore":"","formTextAfter":"","answer":0}
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When determining if a given point satisfies an equation, we substitute the point into the equation and simplify. If the resulting statement is true, then the point is contained in the solution set of the equation.
| Example Equation: y=x+1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Point | Substitution | Solution? |
| ( 1, 0) | 0 &? = 1+1 0 &= 2 * | No |
| ( 0, 1) | 1 &? = 0+1 1 &= 1 ✓ | Yes |
For systems of inequalities, we can use the same method. However, substituting the point must create true statements in every inequality of the system. Let's test (3,11) to see if it is a solution to the given system.
Since 11 is greater than 7 and less than 17, both statements are true. Therefore, the point (3,11) is a solution to the given system.
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Graph the following system of inequalities and calculate the area of the solution set.
y ≥ 2 y ≤ x +5 y ≤ - x +5
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Let's graph each of the inequalities on the same coordinate plane. To start, note that each of the inequalities is already written in slope-intercept form. y ≥ 2 y ≤ x +5 y ≤ - x +5
Inequality (I)
In order to graph an inequality, we start by graphing the boundary line. A boundary line can be written by replacing the inequality symbol with an equals sign. ccc Inequality & & Boundary Line y ≥ 2 & & y = 2 The boundary line of the inequality is y=2, which is a horizontal line whose y-intercept is 2. Notice that the line is solid because the inequality is not strict.
To know which region to shade, let's test (0,0) in the inequality.
Since we got a false statement, (0,0) is not in the solution set of the first inequality. Therefore, let's shade the region above the line.
Inequality (II)
Let's start by determining the boundary line. ccc Inequality & & Boundary Line y ≤ x+5 & & y = x+5 Because the inequality is not strict, we will draw the boundary line solid.
As before, let's test (0,0) in the inequality to determine which region to shade.
Since the origin satisfies the inequality, we will shade the region containing the point (0,0). We will graph this inequality on the same coordinate plane where we graphed the first inequality.
Inequality (III)
In the same manner as before, let's determine the boundary line for the third inequality. ccc Inequality & & Boundary Line y ≤ - x+5 & & y = - x+5 Once again, let's test the point (0,0) in this third inequality.
Since (0,0) satisfies the inequality, we will shade the region containing the origin. This boundary will be solid as well because the inequality is not strict. Let's add it to the same coordinate plane as the first two inequalities.
Graphing the Solution Set
Next, let's graph only the solution set to the given system of inequalities — that is, let's remove the parts that are not common for the three regions.
Finding the Area of the Solution Set
The solution set is a triangle. To calculate its area, we need to determine the base and height. Then, we can use the formula for the area of a triangle.
As we can see from the graph, the base is b=6 and the height is h=3. Let's find the area.
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In the following diagram, a system of linear inequalities has been graphed.
{"type":"choice","form":{"alts":["P(2,-4)","Q(1,-2)","R(0,-4)","S(-1,-6)"],"noSort":true},"formTextBefore":"","formTextAfter":"","answer":1}
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Let's plot the given points on the same coordinate plane as the system of inequalities.
When looking at the four points, the first thing we can notice is that R(0,-4) and S(-1,-6) lie squarely within the solution set, and the points Q(1,-2) and P(2,-4) rest on the boundary lines. Let's remember what it means when a line is dashed and when it is solid.
- A solid line tells us that the inequality is not strict. Therefore, the points on the boundary line are solutions to the inequality.
- A dashed line tells us that the inequality is strict. Therefore, the points on the boundary line are not solutions to the inequality.
With the above in mind, we can conclude that P(2,-4) is a solution to the system because it lies on a solid line. However, the point Q(1,-2), which lies on both a solid and a dashed line, is a solution to one of the inequalities but not a solution to the other. Therefore, Q(1,-2) does not belong with the others, as it is not in the solution set.
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Solving Systems of Inequalities
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