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2.07 Systems of inequalities

Lesson

Recall that we can graph a linear inequality in two variables in the coordinate plane.  Let's apply our knowledge of graphing systems of equations and graphing inequalities in order to graph a system of inequalities.

When two or more different inequalities are to be satisfied together, the solution set is a restricted area where the inequalities overlap.  For example, suppose we require $yy<x+1 and also, $y>1$y>1. The required region is bounded by the lines $y=x+1$y=x+1 and $y=1$y=1 and is shown shaded in the diagram below.

The solution region is the intersection of the two half-planes defined by the inequalities.

Note that the boundaries have been drawn as dotted lines. This is because the points that satisfy $y=x+1$y=x+1 do not satisfy the strict inequality $yy<x+1. Similarly, the points that satisfy $y=1$y=1 do not satisfy $y>1$y>1. When the boundary line is part of the solution set we use the signs 'less than or equal to' $\le$ or 'greater than or equal to' $\ge$

 

Practice questions

Question 1

Select the inequalities that describe the shaded region.

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A coordinate plane, with the x-axis from -10 to 10 and the y-axis also from -10 to 10. Two lines are drawn on the plane: a $dashed$dashed vertical line which crosses the x-axis at $\left(1,0\right)$(1,0) and a $solid$solid horizontal line which crosses the y-axis at $\left(0,3\right)$(0,3). These lines divide the coordinate plane into four regions, and the $\text{lower left}$lower left region is shaded.

  1. $x$x$\le$$1$1 and $y$y$<$<$3$3

    A

    $x$x$<$<$3$3 or $y$y$\le$$1$1

    B

    $x$x$<$<$3$3 and $y$y$\le$$1$1

    C

    $x$x$\le$$1$1 or $y$y$<$<$3$3

    D

    $x$x$<$<$1$1 or $y$y$\le$$3$3

    E

    $x$x$<$<$1$1 and $y$y$\le$$3$3

    F

Question 2

Sketch a graph of the system of inequalities $x$x$\le$$5$5 and $y$y$<$<$3$3.

  1. Loading Graph...

Question 3 

Select the inequalities that describe the shaded region.

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A coordinate plane, with the x-axis from $-10$10 to $10$10 and the y-axis also from $-10$10 to $10$10. Two lines are drawn on the plane: a $solid$solid horizontal line which crosses the y-axis at $\left(0,-3\right)$(0,3), and a $solid$solid line which crosses the x-axis at $\left(-\frac{5}{4},0\right)$(54,0) and the y-axis at $\left(0,-5\right)$(0,5). These lines intersect, dividing the coordinate plane into four regions. The $\text{upper left}$upper left region is shaded.
  1. $y$y$\ge$$-4x-5$4x5 or $y$y$\ge$$-3$3

    A

    $y$y$\ge$$-4x-5$4x5 and $y$y$\le$$-3$3

    B

    $y$y$\le$$-4x-5$4x5 and $y$y$\ge$$-3$3

    C

    $y$y$\le$$-4x-5$4x5 and $-\frac{5}{4}$54$\le$$-3$3

    D

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