TOPIC: LINEAR INEQUALITIES
Number line can be used to show the graph of inequalities in one variable.
Symbols commonly used for inequalities include;
< 𝑚𝑒𝑎𝑛𝑠 𝑙𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑛
> 𝑚𝑒𝑎𝑛𝑠 𝑔𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑛
≥ 𝑔𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑛 𝑜𝑟 𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑙 𝑡𝑜
≤ 𝑙𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑛 𝑜𝑟 𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑙 𝑡𝑜
Steps taken in solving inequalities is similar to that of equations with few
exceptions such as
(i) Reversing the inequality sign when both sides are multiplied (or
divided) by negative quantity. i.e if 2 < 5 then -2 > -5
(ii) Reversing the inequality sign when reciprocals are taken
2 1 3 2
i.e if > 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛 <
3 2 2 1
Examples;
1. solve 2𝑥 + 1 < 𝑥 + 5
solution;
2𝑥 − 𝑥 < 5 − 1
𝑥<4
0 1 2 3 4
Notice that the right end point x=4 is not part of the solution so the circle
above is not shaded.
2𝑥 1 3𝑥
(b) solve the inequality ; − ≤
3 6 4
Solution; To clear the fraction, multiply through by the LCM of the
denominators i.e 12
2𝑥 1 3𝑥
12 ( ) − 12 ( ) ≤ 12 ( )
3 6 4
8𝑥 − 2 ≤ 9𝑥
8𝑥 − 9𝑥 ≤ 2
−𝑥 ≤ 2
∴ 𝑥 ≥ −2
-2 -1 0 1 2
Notice that the left end point, 𝑥 = −2 is part of the
solution, so small circle above is shaded.
2. Find the range of values of x which satisfy 3 + 𝑥 ≤ 5 𝑎𝑛𝑑 8 +
𝑥≥5 (WAEC)
Solution; 3 + 𝑥 ≤ 5 𝑎𝑛𝑑 8 + 𝑥 ≥ 5
𝑥 ≤5−3 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑥 ≥5−8
𝑥 ≤ 2 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑥 ≥ −3
∴ −3 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 2
-4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2
Solution of inequalities in two variables
For linear inequalities in two variables, first draw the corresponding
straight line. Inequalities in two variables are usually plotted on 𝑥, 𝑦
plane (the Cartesian coordinate plane)
Example: Show the expression 2𝑦 − 𝑥 > 1 on a graph.
𝑥+1
Solution; first put y on one side of the inequality i.e 𝑦>
2
𝑥+1
Then draw the corresponding line 𝑦=
2
𝒙 -3 -1 0 3
𝒚 -1 0 1 2
This line divides the plane into two. To find the side with the solution, we
select and try out a pair of points. E.g 𝑝1 (0,0)𝑝2 (1,1)
0+1
For 𝑝1 (0,0) , 0> (𝑓𝑎𝑙𝑠𝑒)
2
1+1
𝑝2 (1,1) 1> (𝑓𝑎𝑙𝑠𝑒)
2
𝑥+1
Hence, the solution set is in the region above the line 𝑦 =
2
1.5
0.5
Axis Title
Y-Values
0
-4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 Linear (Y-Valu
-0.5
-1
-1.5
Axis Title
The upper part of the graph shaded satisfies the inequality 2𝑦 − 𝑥 > 1
Now we shall consider range of values of combined inequalities.
Examples:
1. if 5𝑥 < 42 − 𝑥 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑥 + 5 < 2𝑥 what range of x satisfies
both inequalities?
Solution:
solving the inequalities separately we obtain 𝑥 <
7 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑥>5 respectively.
∴5<𝑥<7
2. The integral values of z which satisfy the inequality −1 < 2𝑧 −
5 ≤ 5 are
solution
−1 < 2𝑧 − 5 ≤ 5 2𝑧 − 5 ≤ 5
−1 + 5 < 2𝑧 2𝑧 ≤ 5 + 5
4 2𝑧 10
<𝑧 ≤
2 2 2
2<𝑧 𝑧≤5
2<𝑧≤5 The values are 3,4,5
Graph of linear inequalities in two variables: We shall consider
simultaneous inequalities.
Examples:
Show on a graph the region that contains the solution of the simultaneous
inequalities
2𝑥 + 3𝑦 < 6, 𝑦 − 2𝑥 ≤ 2, 𝑦≥0
Solution: In each case put 𝑦 on one side of the inequality
6 − 2𝑥
𝑦< 𝑦 ≤ 2 + 2𝑥 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑦≥0
3
6−2𝑥
We shall draw the lines 𝑦 = , 𝑦 = 2 + 2𝑥 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑦=
3
0
𝒙 -2 0 2 3
𝒚𝟏 3.3 2 0.7 0
6 − 2𝑥
=
y 3
- 𝒚𝟐 -2 2 6 8
a = 2 + 2𝑥
x
is
8
7
y=2+2x
6
5
4
3
2
1
-3 -2 -1 0
1 2 3 4
x-axis
-1
6−2𝑥
-2y=
3
-3
-4
Points 𝑝1 (0,0) 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑝2 (1,1) are in the solution set for the
three inequalities.
The shaded portion is the required region. The integral values of x & y
that satisfy the inequalities simultaneously are (-1,0), (0,0), (0,1), (0,2),
(1,0), (1,1), (2,0), (3,0)
MAXIMUM AND MINIMUM VALUES OF SIMULTANEOUS
LINEAR INEQUALITIES ; APPLICATION OF LINEAR
INEQUALITIES IN REAL LIFE.
In solving simultaneous inequalities involving variables x & y, the
expression x+y=n is called the objective function. Linear programming
usually involves either maximizing or minimizing the function x+y=n.
These problems are sometimes called minimax problems.
Example: A manufacturer has 120kg and 100kg of wood and plastic
respectively. A product 𝐴 requires 2kg of wood and 3kg of plastic.
Product 𝐵 requires 3kg of wood and 2kg of plastic. If A sells for #3500
and B for #5000. How many must be made to obtain the maximum gross
income?
Solution:
Wood Plastic (kg/unit) # per kg
(kg/unit)
Product A 2 3 3500
Product B 3 2 5000
Suppose there is x number of product A and suppose there is y number
of product B
2𝑥 + 3𝑦 ≤ 120
3𝑥 + 2𝑦 ≤ 100
For the first inequality we shall draw line 2x + 3y = 120
If x=0, y=40. This line passes through (0,40)
If y=0, x=60. The line passes through (60,0)
For the second inequality, consider line 3x+2y=100
If x=0, y=50. This other line passes through (0,50)
100 1 1
If y=0,x= =33 . This line passes through point (33 ,0)
3 3 3
Number of product B, 50 3x+2y=100
Number of A 2x+3y=120
From the shaded region, we can get the integral values of A & B and at
the given price that will give maximum income.
At the point of intersection we have approximately 12kg of A and 32kg
of B.
The income from item A is 12 x #3500 = #42000
The income from item B is 32 x #5000 = #160000
Total income = #202,000
In some real life situations in business there are some constraints or
restrictions. This may be in form of constraint in amount of money
available for a project, constraint in number of skilled workers available.
Such restriction problems can be solved using graphs of linear
inequalities. This method is called linear programming. Now we shall use
linear programming to solve a problem.
Example: A man has #2000. He buys shirts at #500 each and belt at #200
each. He gets at least 2 shirts and at least one belt. If he spent over #400
more on shirts than on belts, find
(a) How many ways the money can be spent
(b) The greatest number of shirts that can be bought
(c) The greatest number of belt that can be bought
Solution;
Let the man buy x shirts at #500 each and y belts at #200. From the first
two sentences, we have
500𝑥 + 200𝑦 ≤ 2000
Divide through by 100 to get; 5𝑥 + 2𝑦 ≤ 20 … … (𝑖)
At least 2 shirts implies 𝑥 ≥ 2 … … … . (𝑖𝑖)
At least 1 belt implies 𝑦≥1 … … … . . (𝑖𝑖𝑖)
Spending over #400 on shirts than belt implies 500𝑥 − 200𝑦 ≥ 400
i.e 5𝑥 − 2𝑦 ≥ 4 … … … . . (𝑖𝑣)
we shall now draw the graph for four inequalities. For the first inequality
i.e 5𝑥 + 2𝑦 ≤ 20, we need line 5𝑥 + 2𝑦 = 20. if x=0, y=10 the line
passes through (0,10). If y=0, x=4. It passes through (4,0).
For 5𝑥 − 2𝑦 ≥ 4,consider line 5𝑥 − 2𝑦 = 4 if x=0, y= -2,this line
passes through point (0,-2), if y=0 x=0.8
so this line passes through (0.8,0)
Ans: (a) there are five ways the money can be spent i.e
(2,1),(2,2),(2,3),(3,1) and (3,2)
(b) The greatest number of shirts that can be bought is 3
(c.) The greatest number of belts that can be bought is
3
Notice that the points to maximize the number of items that can be
bought are (2,3) i.e 2shirts and 3belts. In the two situations, five
items can be bought.
The maximum expenses occurs when we have 3shirts and 2belts,
i.e 3 × #500 + 2 × #200 = #1900
