MODULE

1 ◦ Management Science
MODULE G ALS FLEX Course Material

Linear Inequalities

College of Business and Accountancy

LESSON
#1
LEARNING

Linear
OUTC MES

Learn the concept of linear

inequalities.
Gain proficiency in
Inequlaties
determining the solution set
of linear inequalities
 ◦ Linear In equalities
Inequality
- is a mathematical statement that relates a linear expression  as; greater than (>), greater than or equal
to (≥) , less than (<) , or less than or equal to (≤) between two numbers or algebraic expressions.
Open sentence inequality
- is an equality containing a variable.
Illustrative examples:
1. 2x + 3y ≤ 12 3. x ≥ 2 5. x > 0
2. x – 4 ≥ 8 4. y ≤ 3 6. y < 0
Note:
The solution set of such inequality is the set of all values of the variables that make the equality
a true statement. Linear inequalities have either infinitely many solutions or no solution.
 Fundamental Operations
1. The same number maybe added or subtracted from both sides of an inequality, and that both
sides of an inequality may be multiplied or divided by the same positive number without changing
the sign.
ax + by ≤ c
2. If both sides of an inequality are multiplied or divided by the same negative number, the sign of the
inequality must be changed.
– 1 (ax + by ≤ c) – 1 = – ax – by ≥ – c
 Linear inequalities in one variable
Solving One-Step Linear Inequalities in One Variable
The solutions to linear inequalities can be expressed in several ways: using inequalities, using a graph, or
using interval notation. The steps to solve linear inequalities are the same as linear equations, except if you
multiply or divide by a negative when solving for the variable, you must reverse the inequality symbol.
Illustrative example:
Solve. Express the solution as an inequality, graph and interval notation.
1. 5 – 2x ≤ 1
Solution: 5 – 2x ≤ 1 Transpose 5 to the right side of the algebraic expression
– 2x ≤ 1 – 5
– 2x ≤ – 4 Divide both sides by – 2 and change ≤ to ≥ All values of x ≥ 2 will fit the

x≥2 Solution set is [ 2, ∞) meaning of 5 – 2x ≤ 1

[

0 2
2. 4x + 2 ≥ 2x – 6 Transpose 2x to the left side and – 2 to the right side of the algebraic expression.
4x – 2x ≥ – 6 – 2
2x ≥ – 8 Simplify by dividing both sides by 2

x≥–4 Solution set is [– 4, ∞) [

0
-4

3. – 2 x + 4 ≥ 8 Transpose 4 to the right side of the algebraic expression

–2x≥8–4
–2x≥4 Divide both sides of the expression by – 2 and change ≥ to ≤
x ≤ – 2 Solution set is (-∞, - 2] ]
-2 0
 Linear inequalities in two variables
The solution of a linear inequality in two variables like Ax + By > C is an ordered pair (x, y) that
produces a true statement when the values of x and y are substituted into the inequality. The graph
of an inequality in two variables is the set of points that represents all solutions to the inequality.
Steps to follow in finding the solution of linear inequality in two variables.
1. Change the inequality to equality.
2. Find the x – intercept and y – intercept.
3. Plot and draw the graph of the straight line that is the boundary
4. Choose a test point not on the line and substitute the coordinates of that point in the inequality.
5. Shade the region that includes the test point if it satisfies the original inequality. Otherwise shade
the other region on the other side of the boundary line.
◦ Illustrative example 1:
◦ Solve and shade the region of the solution of the set of the given inequality.
1. 40x + 20y ≤ 120
Step 1: 40x + 20y = 120 Step 4 and 5
Step 2: let x = 0 20y = 120
20 20
y = 6 (0, 6) y-intercept
let y = 0 40x = 120
40 40
x = 3 (3, 0) x-intercept
Step 3: Test (0, 0) 40(0)+ 20(0) ≤ 120, 0 ≤ 120 True
◦ Illustrative example 2:
◦ Solve and shade the region of the solution of the set of the given inequality.
2. – 3x + 2y ≤ 6
Step 1: – 3x + 2y = 6 Step 4 and 5
Step 2: let x = 0 2y = 6
2 2
y = 3 (0, 3) y-intercept
let y = 0 – 3x = 6
–3 –3
x = – 2 (– 2, 0) x-intercept
Step 3: Test (0, 0); – 3(0)+ 2(0) ≤ 6, 0 ≤ 6 True
Activity 1:
A. Solve. Express the solution as an inequality, graph and interval notation. ( 4 MARKS)
1. 3x + 5 ≤ 14 3. 6x – 5 ≥ 16 – x

2. 8 – 4x ≤ 32 4. 2x + 5 ≥ 7x + 30
B. Solve and shade the region of the solution set of the given inequality. (6 MARKS)
1. 5x + 4y ≥ 20 2. 6x + 3y ≤ 18
KEEP SAFE EVERYONE
END