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Graphs to Linear Inequalities


For this topic, you need to know how to find the equation of a line.
To review the Graphs to Linear Equations topic, see here.

In this topic, you will find the inequality based on its graph.

To find the ineqaulity, follow these steps:

  1. Find the equation of the boundary line.
  2. Choose a point (x, y) on the shaded side of the line.
  3. Plug x and y into the bounday line equation to determine the inequality sign.
    1. If the boundary line is solid, then the inequality sign is either ≥ or ≤.
    2. If the boundary line is dotted, then the inequality sign is either > or <.


Example 1:

Write the inequality that represents this graph. Examples: y>3x/4, x<=2, y>=1, y>-2x
Inequality:
Step 1: Find the equation of the boundary line.
The boundary line is vertical. Its equation is x = -1.

Step 2: Choose a point (x, y) on the shaded side of the line.
Let's pick (-3, 0) on the shaded side.

Step 3: Plug x and y into the bounday line equation to determine the inequality sign.
x?-1
-3?-1Plug in (-3,0)
-3<-1"Less than" makes the inequality true
x<-1Boundary line is dashed


Example 2:

Write the inequality in y=mx+b format. Examples: y>2x-3, y<=-4x/3+1
Inequality:
Step 1: Find the equation of the boundary line.
The slope of the line is -5/4 and the y-intercept is 3.
So the equation of the boundary line is y = -5
4
x + 3.

Step 2: Choose a point (x, y) on the shaded side of the line.
Let's pick (5, 0) on the shaded side.

Step 3: Plug x and y into the bounday line equation to determine the inequality sign.
y ?
-5
4
x + 3
0 ?
-5
4
(5) + 3
Plug in (5, 0)
0 >
-13
4
"Greater than" to make the inequality true
y
-5
4
x + 3
Boundary line is solid

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