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Study Guides > Intermediate Algebra

Systems of Linear Inequalities

6.3 Learning Objectives

  • Define solutions to systems of linear inequalities
    • Graph a system of linear inequalities and define the solutions region
    • Verify whether a point is a solution to a system of inequalities
    • Identify when a system of inequalities has no solution
  • Solutions from graphs of linear inequalities
    • Solve systems of linear inequalities by graphing the solution region
    • Graph solutions to a system that contains a compound inequality
  • Applications of systems of linear inequalities
    • Write and graph a system that models the quantity that must be sold to achieve a given amount of sales
    • Write a system of inequalities that represents the profit region for a business
    • Interpret the solutions to a system of cost/ revenue inequalities
 

6.3.1 Graph a system of two inequalities

Remember from the module on graphing that the graph of a single linear inequality splits the coordinate plane into two regions. On one side lie all the solutions to the inequality. On the other side, there are no solutions. Consider the graph of the inequality [latex]y<2x+5[/latex]. An upward-sloping dotted line with the region below it shaded. The shaded region is labeled y is less than 2x+5. A is equal to (-1,1). B is equal to (3,1). The dashed line is [latex]y=2x+5[/latex]. Every ordered pair in the shaded area below the line is a solution to [latex]y<2x+5[/latex], as all of the points below the line will make the inequality true. If you doubt that, try substituting the x and y coordinates of Points A and B into the inequality—you’ll see that they work. So, the shaded area shows all of the solutions for this inequality. The boundary line divides the coordinate plane in half. In this case, it is shown as a dashed line as the points on the line don’t satisfy the inequality. If the inequality had been [latex]y\leq2x+5[/latex], then the boundary line would have been solid. Let’s graph another inequality: [latex]y>−x[/latex]. You can check a couple of points to determine which side of the boundary line to shade. Checking points M and N yield true statements. So, we shade the area above the line. The line is dashed as points on the line are not true. Downward-sloping dotted line with the region above it shaded. The shaded region is y is greater than negative x. Point M=(-2,3). Point N=(4,-1). To create a system of inequalities, you need to graph two or more inequalities together. Let’s use [latex]y<2x+5[/latex] and [latex]y>−x[/latex] since we have already graphed each of them. The two previous graphs combined. A blue dotted line with the region above shaded and labeled y is greater than negative x. A red dotted line with the region below it shaded and labeled y is less than 2x+5. The region where the shaded areas overlap is labeled y is greater than negative x and y is less than 2x+5. The point M equals (-2,3) and is in the blue shaded region. The point A equals (-1,-1) and is in the red shaded region. The point B equals (3,1) and is in the purple overlapping region. The point N equals (4,-1) and is also in the purple overlapping region. The purple area shows where the solutions of the two inequalities overlap. This area is the solution to the system of inequalities. Any point within this purple region will be true for both [latex]y>−x[/latex] and [latex]y<2x+5[/latex]. In the following video examples, we show how to graph a system of linear inequalities, and define the solution region. https://youtu.be/ACTxJv1h2_c https://youtu.be/cclH2h1NurM In the next section, we will see that points can be solutions to systems of equations and inequalities.  We will verify algebraically whether a point is a solution to a linear equation or inequality.

6.3.2 Determine whether an ordered pair is a solution to a system of linear inequalities

image014 On the graph above, you can see that the points B and N are solutions for the system because their coordinates will make both inequalities true statements. In contrast, points M and A both lie outside the solution region (purple). While point M is a solution for the inequality [latex]y>−x[/latex] and point A is a solution for the inequality [latex]y<2x+5[/latex], neither point is a solution for the system. The following example shows how to test a point to see whether it is a solution to a system of inequalities.

Example 6.3.A

Is the point (2, 1) a solution of the system [latex]x+y>1[/latex] and [latex]2x+y<8[/latex]?

Answer: Check the point with each of the inequalities. Substitute 2 for x and 1 for y. Is the point a solution of both inequalities? [latex-display]\begin{array}{r}x+y>1\\2+1>1\\3>1\\\text{TRUE}\end{array}[/latex-display] (2, 1) is a solution for [latex]x+y>1[/latex]. [latex-display]\begin{array}{r}2x+y<8\\2\left(2\right)+1<8\\4+1<8\\5<8\\\text{TRUE}\end{array}[/latex-display] (2, 1) is a solution for [latex]2x+y<8.[/latex] Since (2, 1) is a solution of each inequality, it is also a solution of the system.

Answer

The point (2, 1) is a solution of the system [latex]x+y>1[/latex] and [latex]2x+y<8[/latex].

Here is a graph of the system in the example above. Notice that (2, 1) lies in the purple area, which is the overlapping area for the two inequalities. Two dotted lines, one red and one blue. The region below the blue dotted line is shaded and labeled 2x+y is less than 8. The region above the dotted red line is shaded and labeled x+y is greater than 1. The overlapping shaded region is purple and is labeled x+y is greater than 1 and 2x+y is less than 8. The point (2,1) is in the overlapping purple region.

Example 6.3.B

Is the point (2, 1) a solution of the system [latex]x+y>1[/latex] and [latex]3x+y<4[/latex]?

Answer: Check the point with each of the inequalities. Substitute 2 for x and 1 for y. Is the point a solution of both inequalities? [latex-display]\begin{array}{r}x+y>1\\2+1>1\\3>1\\\text{TRUE}\end{array}[/latex-display] (2, 1) is a solution for [latex]x+y>1[/latex]. [latex-display]\begin{array}{r}3x+y<4\\3\left(2\right)+1<4\\6+1<4\\7<4\\\text{FALSE}\end{array}[/latex-display] (2, 1) is not a solution for [latex]3x+y<4[/latex]. Since (2, 1) is not a solution of one of the inequalities, it is not a solution of the system.

Answer

The point (2, 1) is not a solution of the system [latex]x+y>1[/latex] and [latex]3x+y<4[/latex].

Here is a graph of this system. Notice that (2, 1) is not in the purple area, which is the overlapping area; it is a solution for one inequality (the red region), but it is not a solution for the second inequality (the blue region). A downward-sloping bue dotted line with the region below shaded and labeled 3x+y is less than 4. A downward-sloping red dotted line with the region above it shaded and labeled x+y is greater than 1. An overlapping purple shaded region is labeled x+y is greater than 1 and 3x+y is less than 4. A point (2,1) is in the red shaded region, but not the blue or overlapping purple shaded region. In the following video we show another example of determining whether a point is in the solution of a system of linear inequalities. https://youtu.be/o9hTFJEBcXs As shown above, finding the solutions of a system of inequalities can be done by graphing each inequality and identifying the region they share. Below, you are given more examples that show the entire process of defining the region of solutions on a graph for a system of two linear inequalities.  The general steps are outlined below:
  • Graph each inequality as a line and determine whether it will be solid or dashed
  • Determine which side of each boundary line represents solutions to the inequality by testing a point on each side
  • Shade the region that represents solutions for both inequalities

6.3.3 Systems with no solutions

In the next example, we will show the solution to a system of two inequalities whose boundary lines are parallel to each other.  When the graphs of a system of two linear equations are parallel to each other, we found that there was no solution to the system.  We will get a similar result for the following system of linear inequalities.

Examples 6.3.C

Graph the system [latex]\begin{array}{c}y\ge2x+1\\y\lt2x-3\end{array}[/latex]

Answer: The boundary lines for this system are parallel to each other, note how they have the same slopes.

[latex]\begin{array}{c}y=2x+1\\y=2x-3\end{array}[/latex]

Plotting the boundary lines will give the graph below. Note that the inequality [latex]y\lt2x-3[/latex] requires that we draw a dashed line, while the inequality [latex]y\ge2x+1[/latex] will require a solid line. y=2x+1 Now we need to add the regions that represent the inequalities.  For the inequality [latex]y\ge2x+1[/latex] we can test a point on either side of the line to see which region to shade. Let's test [latex]\left(0,0\right)[/latex] to make it easy. Substitute [latex]\left(0,0\right)[/latex] into [latex]y\ge2x+1[/latex]

[latex]\begin{array}{c}y\ge2x+1\\0\ge2\left(0\right)+1\\0\ge{1}\end{array}[/latex]

This is not true, so we know that we need to shade the other side of the boundary line for the inequality  [latex]y\ge2x+1[/latex]. The graph will now look like this: y=2x+1 Now let's shade the region that shows the solutions to the inequality [latex]y\lt2x-3[/latex].  Again, we can pick [latex]\left(0,0\right)[/latex] to test because it makes easy algebra. Substitute [latex]\left(0,0\right)[/latex] into [latex]y\lt2x-3[/latex]

[latex]\begin{array}{c}y\lt2x-3\\0\lt2\left(0,\right)x-3\\0\lt{-3}\end{array}[/latex]

This is not true, so we know that we need to shade the other side of the boundary line for the inequality[latex]y\lt2x-3[/latex]. The graph will now look like this: y=2x+1 This system of inequalities shares no points in common.  

In the following examples, we will continue to practice graphing the solution region for systems of linear inequalities.  We will also graph the solutions to a system that includes a compound inequality.

Example 6.3.D

Shade the region of the graph that represents solutions for both inequalities.  [latex]x+y\geq1[/latex] and [latex]y–x\geq5[/latex].

Answer: Graph one inequality. First graph the boundary line, using a table of values, intercepts, or any other method you prefer. The boundary line for [latex]x+y\geq1[/latex] is [latex]x+y=1[/latex], or [latex]y=−x+1[/latex]. Since the equal sign is included with the greater than sign, the boundary line is solid. A downward-sloping solid line labeled x+y is greater than 1. Find an ordered pair on either side of the boundary line. Insert the x- and y-values into the inequality [latex]x+y\geq1[/latex] and see which ordered pair results in a true statement. [latex-display]\begin{array}{r}\text{Test }1:\left(−3,0\right)\\x+y\geq1\\−3+0\geq1\\−3\geq1\\\text{FALSE}\\\\\text{Test }2:\left(4,1\right)\\x+y\geq1\\4+1\geq1\\5\geq1\\\text{TRUE}\end{array}[/latex-display] Since (4, 1) results in a true statement, the region that includes (4, 1) should be shaded. A solid downward-sloping line with the region above it shaded and labeled x+y is greater than or equal to 1. The point (4,1) is in the shaded region. The point (-3,0) is not. Do the same with the second inequality. Graph the boundary line, then test points to find which region is the solution to the inequality. In this case, the boundary line is [latex]y–x=5\left(\text{or }y=x+5\right)[/latex] and is solid. Test point (−3, 0) is not a solution of [latex]y–x\geq5[/latex], and test point (0, 6) is a solution. A solid blue line with the region above it shaded and labeled y-x is greater than or equal to 5. A solid red line with the region above it shaded and labeled x+y is greater than 1. The point (-3,0) is not in any shaded region. The point (0,6) is in the overlapping shaded region.

Answer

The purple region in this graph shows the set of all solutions of the system. The previous graph, with the purple overlapping shaded region labeled x+y is greater than or equal to 1 and y-x is greater than or equal to 5.

The video that follows shows an example of graphing the solution set of a system of four linear inequalities.  In this problem, the term feasible region refers to the set of points that satisfy all of the given inequalities.  This is also known as the solution set. https://youtu.be/Egu5DPSBxdk The system in our last example includes a compound inequality.  We will see that you can treat a compound inequality like two lines when you are graphing them.

Example 6.3.E

Find the solution to the system 3x + 2y < 12 and −1 ≤ y ≤ 5.

Answer: Graph one inequality. First graph the boundary line, then test points. Remember, because the inequality 3x + 2y < 12 does not include the equal sign, draw a dashed border line. Testing a point (like (0, 0) will show that the area below the line is the solution to this inequality. image021 The inequality −1 ≤ y ≤ 5 is actually two inequalities: −1 ≤ y, and y ≤ 5. Another way to think of this is y must be between −1 and 5. The border lines for both are horizontal. The region between those two lines contains the solutions of −1 ≤ y ≤ 5. We make the lines solid because we also want to include y = −1 and y = 5. Graph this region on the same axes as the other inequality. image022 The purple region in this graph shows the set of all solutions of the system.

Answer

image023

In the video that follows, we show how to solve another system of inequalities that contains a compound inequality. https://youtu.be/D-Cnt6m8l18

6.3.4 Applications

In our first example we will show how to write and graph a system of linear inequalities that models the amount of sales needed to obtain a specific amount of money.

Example 6.3.F

Cathy is selling ice cream cones at a school fundraiser. She is selling two sizes: small (which has 1 scoop) and large (which has 2 scoops). She knows that she can get a maximum of 70 scoops of ice cream out of her supply. She charges $3 for a small cone and $5 for a large cone. Cathy wants to earn at least $120 to give back to the school. Write and graph a system of inequalities that models this situation.

Answer: First, identify the variables. There are two variables: the number of small cones and the number of large cones.

s = small cone

l = large cone

Write the first equation: the maximum number of scoops she can give out. The scoops she has available (70) must be greater than or equal to the number of scoops for the small cones (s) and the large cones (2l) she sells.

[latex]s+2l\le70[/latex]

Write the second equation: the amount of money she raises. She wants the total amount of money earned from small cones (3s) and large cones (5l) to be at least $120.

[latex]3s+5l\ge120[/latex]

Write the system.

[latex]\begin{cases}s+2l\le70\\3s+5l\ge120\end{cases}[/latex]

Now graph the system. The variables x and y have been replaced by s and l; graph s along the x-axis, and l along the y-axis. First graph the region s + 2l ≤ 70. Graph the boundary line and then test individual points to see which region to shade. The graph is shown below.image027 Now graph the region [latex]3s+5l\ge120[/latex] Graph the boundary line and then test individual points to see which region to shade. The graph is shown below. image028 Graphing the regions together, you find the following: image029 And represented just as the overlapping region, you have:image030

Answer

The region in purple is the solution. As long as the combination of small cones and large cones that Cathy sells can be mapped in the purple region, she will have earned at least $120 and not used more than 70 scoops of ice cream.

In a previous example for finding a solution to a system of linear equations, we introduced a manufacturer’s cost and revenue equations: Cost: [latex]y=0.85x+35,000[/latex] Revenue: [latex]y=1.55x[/latex] The cost equation is shown in blue in the graph below, and the revenue equation is graphed in orange.The point at which the two lines intersect is called the break-even point, we learned that this is the solution to the system of linear equations that in this case comprise the cost and revenue equations. The shaded region to the right of the break-even point represents quantities for which the company makes a profit. The region to the left represents quantities for which the company suffers a loss. In the next example, you will see how the information you learned about systems of linear inequalities can be applied to answering questions about cost and revenue. A graph showing money in dollars on the y axis and quantity on the x axis. A line representing cost and a line representing revenue cross at the break-even point of fifty thousand, seventy-seven thousand five hundred. The cost line's equation is C(x)=0.85x+35,000. The revenue line's equation is R(x)=1.55x. The shaded space between the two lines to the right of the break-even point is labeled profit. Note how the blue shaded region between the Cost and Revenue equations is labeled Profit. This is the "sweet spot" that the company wants to achieve where they produce enough bike frames at a minimal enough cost to make money. They don't want more money going out than coming in!

Example 6.3.G

Define the profit region for the skateboard manufacturing business using inequalities, given the system of linear equations: Cost: [latex]y=0.85x+35,000[/latex] Revenue: [latex]y=1.55x[/latex]

Answer: We know that graphically,  solutions to linear inequalities are entire regions, and we learned how to graph systems of linear inequalities earlier in this module. Based on the graph below and the equations that define cost and revenue, we can use inequalities to define the region for which the skateboard manufacturer will make a profit. Cost/ Revenue with Profit Let's start with the revenue equation.  We know that the break even point is at (50,000, 77,500) and the profit region is the blue area.  If we choose a point in the region and test it like we did for finding solution regions to inequalities, we will know which kind of inequality sign to use. Let's test the point [latex]\left(65,00,100,000\right)[/latex] in both equations to determine which inequality sign to use. Cost:

[latex]\begin{array}{l}y=0.85x+{35,000}\\{100,000}\text{ ? }0.85\left(65,000\right)+35,000\\100,000\text{ ? }90,250\end{array}[/latex]

We need to use > because 100,000 is greater than 90,250 The cost inequality that will ensure the company makes profit - not just break even - is [latex]y>0.85x+35,000[/latex] Now test the point in the revenue equation: Revenue:

[latex]\begin{array}{l}y=1.55x\\100,000\text{ ? }1.55\left(65,000\right)\\100,000\text{ ? }100,750\end{array}[/latex]

We need to use < because 100,000 is less than 100,750 The revenue inequality that will ensure the company makes profit - not just break even - is [latex]y<1.55x[/latex] The systems of inequalities that defines the profit region for the bike manufacturer:

[latex]\begin{array}{l}y>0.85x+35,000\\y<1.55x\end{array}[/latex]

Answer

The cost to produce 50,000 units is $77,500, and the revenue from the sales of 50,000 units is also $77,500. To make a profit, the business must produce and sell more than 50,000 units. The system of linear inequalities that represents the number of units that the company must produce in order to earn a profit is: [latex-display]\begin{array}{l}y>0.85x+35,000\\y<1.55x\end{array}[/latex-display]

In the following video you will see an example of how to find the break even point for a small sno-cone business. https://youtu.be/qey3FmE8saQ And here is one more video example of solving an application using a sustem of linear inequalities. https://youtu.be/gbHl6K-dJ8o We have seen that systems of linear equations and inequalities can help to define market behaviors that are very helpful to businesses.  The intersection of cost and revenue equations gives the break even point, and also helps define the region for which a company will make a profit.

Summary

  • Solutions to systems of linear inequalities are entire regions of points
  • You can verify whether a point is a solution to a system of linear inequalities in the same way you verify whether a point is a solution to a system of equations
  • Systems of inequalities can have no solutions when boundary lines are parallel

Licenses & Attributions

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  • System of Equations App: Break-Even Point. Authored by: James Sousa (Mathispower4u.com) for Lumen Learning. License: CC BY: Attribution.
  • Revision and Adaptation. Provided by: Lumen Learning License: CC BY: Attribution.
  • Ex: Linear Inequality in Two Variables Application Problem (Phone Cost: Day and Night Minutes). Authored by: James Sousa (Mathispower4u.com). License: CC BY: Attribution.
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  • Ex 1: Graph a System of Linear Inequalities. Authored by: James Sousa (Mathispower4u.com) . License: CC BY: Attribution.
  • Ex 2: Graph a System of Linear Inequalities. Authored by: James Sousa (Mathispower4u.com). License: CC BY: Attribution.
  • Unit 14: Systems of Equations and Inequalities, from Developmental Math: An Open Program. Provided by: Monterey Institute of Technology Located at: https://www.nroc.org/. License: CC BY: Attribution.
  • Ex 2: Graph a System of Linear Inequalities. Authored by: James Sousa (Mathispower4u.com) . License: CC BY: Attribution.
  • Ex 1: Graph a System of Linear Inequalities. Authored by: James Sousa (Mathispower4u.com) . License: CC BY: Attribution.
  • Determine the Solution to a System of Inequalities (Compound). Authored by: James Sousa (Mathispower4u.com) . License: CC BY: Attribution.
  • College Algebra. Provided by: OpenStax Authored by: Jay Abrams, et al.. Located at: https://openstax.org/textbooks/college-algebra. License: CC BY: Attribution.