Difference Between

Linear Equations and

Linear Inequalities

= vs > <
 Linear Equations
• A linear equation is any equation
involving one or two variables
whose exponents are one.
• In the case of one variable, one
solution exists for the equation.
Ex. 2x = 6,  x can only be 3
 Linear Inequalities
• A linear inequality is any statement
involving one or two variables whose
exponents are one, where inequality
rather than equality is the center of
focus.
Ex. y < 2, the “<” represents less than and
the solution set includes all the
numbers that is less than 2
Linear Equations in Two Variables
• In the case of two variables,
the coordinates of the points
that made up the line which
corresponds to the equation
are the solution set for that
equation.
 13
x
12
11
10
9
8 (10,7)
7 (8,6)
(12,8)
6 (6,5)
5
4
3 (4,4)
2 (2,3)

y
(-4,0) 1 (0,2)
(-6,-1) (-2,1)
-13 -12 -11 -10 -9 -8 -7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
(-10,-3) -2
(-8,-2) -3
(-12,-4)
-4
-5
-6
-7
-8
-9
-10
-11
-12
-13
Linear Inequalities in Two Variables
• Linear inequalities are closely
related to graphs of straight
lines.
• When we graph a line in the
coordinate plane, we can see
that it divides the plane in half:
 Linear Inequalities in Two Variables
When we
graph a line
in the
coordinate
plane, we
can see
that it
divides the
plane in
half:
 Linear Inequalities in Two Variables
• An inequality in two  variable x
and y describes a region in the x-
y plane (called its graph),
namely, the set of all points
whose coordinates  satisfy the
inequality.  That region is the
solution set for that inequality.
 Linear Inequalities in Two Variables
The y-axis divide, the xy-plane into
two regions, called half-planes.
–Right half-plane
The region of points whose
coordinates satisfy inequality x > 0.
–Left half-plane
The region of points whose
coordinates satisfy inequality x < 0.
 Linear Inequalities in Two Variables
Similarly, the x-axis divides the xy-
plane into two half-planes.
–Upper half-plane
In which inequality y > 0 is true.
–Lower half-plane
In which inequality y < 0 is true.
Linear Inequalities in Two Variables
• The solution to a linear inequality includes all the points
in one half of the plane.
• We can tell which half by looking at the inequality sign.
Inequality
Sign Solution Set
> The solution set is the half plane above the line.

The solution set is the half plane above the line and
≥ also all the points on the line.

< The solution set is the half plane below the line.

The solution set is the half plane below the line and
≤ also all the points on the line.
Linear Inequalities in Two Variables

• For an inequality that includes the equals sign, we

draw a solid line to show that the points on the line
are part of the solution.
Linear Inequalities in Two Variables

• For a strict inequality, we draw a dashed line to

show that the points in the line are not part of the
solution.
Linear Equation in Two Variables
Linear Inequalities in Two Variables
Linear Inequalities in Two Variables