MODULE 4: LINEAR INEQUALITIES

Learning Outcomes:

At the end of the course, the student is able to:

determine the solution set for system of linear inequalities;

represent linear inequalities as regions on the coordinate plane;
determine if a given point is a solution of a linear inequality.

Teaching-Learning Activity:

In this module, you will get activities that will determine the solution of linear inequalities
equations. You will be  learning how to solve and graph inequality problems.

LINEAR INEQUALITIES
An inequality is a statement formed by placing an inequality symbol between numeral and
variable expression. An inequality containing a variable is called an open sentence inequality. These
signs express inequality: < , > , ≠, ≤ ,≥

To solve an inequality use the properties of inequality , which are also called the properties of
order. All the properties that apply to equality also apply to inequality except for multiplication and
division wherein multiplying and dividing by a negative number will reverse the sign of inequality.

Example 1: linear inequality in one variable

4x ≤ -2x + 12
4x + 2x ≤ 12
6x≤ 12
6
x ≤ 2

Example 2: Linear inequality in two variables

2x + 3y ≥ 6 convert this to linear equation
2x + 3y = 6 then find x-intercept and y-intercept

(3,0) x-intercept
( 0,2) y-intercept

Then , plot these two points in the coordinate plane to come up with a line of the equation
, to show the inequality test the point in each half plane to see which half-plane is the graph of
inequality. This could be above or below the line. We choose the origin, which is at point (0,0) as
our basis.
Below the line: at point (0,0)
Substitute(0,0) to 2x + 3y ≥ 6
2(0) + 3(0) ≥ 6
0≥6 ?
0≥ 6 false
Therefore , (0,0) is not a solution, so we shade away from the point of solution, or upper
part of the line which will not cover (0,0). This shaded portion is known as the feasible region
and it contains all the points that will satisfy the given inequality.
But if it holds true, or the statement is true, this means that the point of origin is part of
the solution so shading will be towards the point of solution.

This is the graph which shows the feasible region which is the shaded region. Since the statement of 0 ≥
6 is false the point of origin point (0,0) is not shaded.
Example 3: 3x + 2y ≤ 6
3x + 2y = 6
Solve for intercept to be able to graph:
(2,0) x-intercept
(0,3) y-intercept

Substitute the point of solution point (0,0)

3(0) + 2( 0) ≤ 6
0 ≤ 6?
0 ≤ 6 true

This is the graph which shows the feasible region which is the shaded region. Since the statement of 0 ≤
6 is true the point of origin point (0,0) is shaded.

System of Inequalities

A combination of at least two inequalities in one or two variables which require a simultaneous
solution . to solve a system of inequalities means to find the ordered pairs which will satisfy all the
conditions imposed on the variable. The solution set is also known as the feasible region.

Example 1: solve the system

 x- y≤ 1
x +y≤3
Steps:
1. Convert the inequalities to linear equation
x - y = 1
x +y=3
2. Determine the x and y intercepts of both equations in order to graph the lines of the
equations.
x - y = 1 x-intercept ( 1,0)
y -intercept ( 0,- 1)
x+ y = 3 x-intercept ( 3,0)
y-intercept (0, 3)
3. Sketch the graph and determine the half-plane which is the solution set of inequalities . Shading is still
getting point of origin point (0,0) and shading direction is determined whether the statement is true or
false. When the statement is true shading towards point (0,0) and when the statement is false shading is
away from point (0,0).

Below is the graph of the two equations. The intersection of the two half-planes is the solution set of
the system of inequalities.

References: Quantitative Techniques for Business ( with computer Application)

By Altares, Priscilla , et al.
Quantitative Approaches in Decision- making with Computer Application
By Arao, Rosalia, et al.