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ENRICHMENT ACTIVITY 4-7 Graphing an Inequality

The TEST relations on a TI-83 or TI-84 graphing calculator are used to determine whether an equation or inequality is true or false. If the statement is true, the calculator will display 1 after a test is entered; if the statement is false, the calculator will display 0 after the test is entered. When an inequality is entered as Y1, the graph of Y1 will be a line at y 1 for the values of x for which the inequality is true and a line at y 0 for the values of x for which the inequality is false. Since the y 0 values coincide with the x-axis, only the values for which the inequality is true appear on the graph.

Example
Draw the graph of 3x 1 8 using a graphing calculator. Step 1: Change the graph from connected to dot mode. ENTER MODE ENTER:

Algebraic Solution: 3x 1 8 1 9
9 3

Step 2: Enter the inequality as Y1 and display the graph.

ENTER: DISPLAY: Y 3 X,T, , n 1 2nd TEST 6

1 3x
3x 3

8 GRAPH

Use the TRACE function to scan the values along the graph. Note that the x-values are less than or equal to 3.The y-values are all 1, showing the inequality is true for these values. The algebraic solution gives the same result.

Exercises
In 13, solve each inequality and compare the algebraic solution with its graph on a graphing calculator. 1. 3x 7 5 4. x 4 7. x 1 x 2. x 3 5 x 5. x2 1 8. x 2x 3. 1 3x25 $ 2x 6. x . "x 9. x 0 In 49, graph each inequality on a graphing calculator and explain the results.

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