3.

3: Graphing and Solving Systems

of Linear Inequalities
 Intro: Systems of inequalities are
similar to systems of equations. A
solution is still an ordered pair that is
true in both statements.
 The graphing is a little more
sophisticated - it’s all about the shading.
 Graphing Method
 Example: Graph the 10
y

inequalities on the same

plane: x + y < 6 and 2x
- y > 4.
 Before we graph them
simultaneously, let’s -10 10
x

look at them separately.

 Graph of x + y < 6. --->

-10
 Graphing Method
 This is: 2x - y > 4.
y
10

So what happens
when we graph both
-10 10
x
inequalities
simultaneously?

-10
 Coolness Discovered!
 Wow! 10
y

 The solution to the

system is the brown
region - where the two
shaded areas coincide. -10 10
x

 The green region and

red regions are
outside the solution
set. -10
 So what were the steps?
 Graph first inequality
– Shade lightly (or use colored pencils)
 Graph second inequality
– Shade lightly (or use colored pencils)
 Shade darkly over the common region of
intersection.
 That is your solution!
 Challenge Extended
y
10
Graph
y ≥ -3x -1
and
y<x+2
x
-10 10

-10
What about THREE inequalities?
 Graph x ≥ 0, y ≥ 0, and 4x + 3y ≤ 24
 First off, let’s look at x ≥ 0 and y ≥ 0 separately.

y y
10 10

x x
-10 10 -10 10

-10 -10
 Graphing THREE inequalities
 Now let’s look at x ≥ 0 and y ≥ 0 together.
y
10

Clearly, the solution

set is the first
quadrant.
x
-10 10

-10
 Graphing THREE inequalities
 So therefore, after we graph the third inequality,
we know the solution region will be trapped inside
the first quadrant. So let’s look at 4x + 3y ≤ 24 by
itself. 10
y

x
-10 10

-10
 Graphing THREE inequalities
 Now we can put all of our knowledge together.
 The solution region is the right triangle in the first quadrant.

y
10

x
-10 10

-10