Inequalities with Two Unknowns
Ximena has $\$120$ for her team's lunch: tortas cost $\$30$ and aguas frescas cost $\$15$. How many tortas and how many aguas frescas can she buy without going over? There isn't just one answer; there are many. An inequality with two unknowns doesn't have a line as its solution, but a whole half-plane: one of the two sides into which a line divides the plane. This idea is the foundation of linear programming, which companies use to allocate their resources in the best possible way. At the end of the page we come back to Ximena's budget.
The line divides the plane into two half-planes
A point $(x, y)$ is a solution if, when you substitute it, the inequality is true. You can try points yourself by moving the point on the plane.
Check which of the following points are solutions to the inequality $3x - 2y \le 6$: $A(0, 0)$ $B(4, 1)$ $C(2, -1)$ $D(-2, -5)$
Check which of the following points are solutions to the inequality $3x - 2y \le 6$:
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$A(0, 0)$
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$B(4, 1)$
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$C(2, -1)$
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$D(-2, -5)$
Given the inequality $4x - 5y < 20$, state with reasoning whether the points lying exactly on the line $4x - 5y = 20$ form part of the solution region.
Given the inequality $4x - 5y < 20$, state with reasoning whether the points lying exactly on the line $4x - 5y = 20$ form part of the solution region.
Graphically represent the solution region of the inequality $x + 2y > 4$ on the Cartesian plane. You can do it on paper and send a photo with your answer.
Graphically represent the solution region of the inequality $x + 2y > 4$ on the Cartesian plane.
You can do it on paper and send a photo with your answer.
From the graph to the inequality
To read a region, first identify its boundary lines: where they cross the axes, whether they are solid or dashed, and which side is shaded. Each line gives an inequality; the set of inequalities describes the region.
Write the linear inequality in two unknowns whose solution region is represented in the following graph. Pay attention to whether the boundary line is solid or dashed.
Write the linear inequality in two unknowns whose solution region is represented in the following graph. Pay attention to whether the boundary line is solid or dashed.
Find the system of inequalities that defines the shaded region in the following graph:
Find the system of inequalities that defines the shaded region in the following graph:
Determine the system of inequalities that defines the bounded region shown in the following figure:
Determine the system of inequalities that defines the bounded region shown in the following figure:
Systems: the feasible region
Determine whether the points $P(1, 3)$, $Q(-1, 2)$ and $R(4, 0)$ belong to the feasible region defined by the following system of inequalities: $x + y \le 5$…
Determine whether the points $P(1, 3)$, $Q(-1, 2)$ and $R(4, 0)$ belong to the feasible region defined by the following system of inequalities:
$x + y \le 5$
$2x - y > -1$
Graphically represent the system of inequalities that defines the fourth quadrant of the Cartesian plane (where the x-coordinate is non-negative and the y-coordinate is…
Graphically represent the system of inequalities that defines the fourth quadrant of the Cartesian plane (where the x-coordinate is non-negative and the y-coordinate is non-positive).
You can do it on paper and send a photo with your answer.
Graphically represent the feasible region defined by the following system of inequalities: $2x + y \le 6$ $x - y \ge -1$ $y \ge 0$ You can do it on paper and send a…
Graphically represent the feasible region defined by the following system of inequalities:
$2x + y \le 6$
$x - y \ge -1$
$y \ge 0$
You can do it on paper and send a photo with your answer.
Strips and special regions
Inequalities with just one unknown can also be seen on the plane. $x\ge 1$ is everything to the right of the vertical line $x=1$ (included), no matter what $y$ is. $y<2$ is everything below the horizontal line $y=2$ (not included).
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The four quadrants are described using signs. For example, the first is $x\ge 0$, $y\ge 0$.
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A strip between $x=a$ and $x=b$ is written $a\le x\le b$, that is, the system $x\ge a$, $x\le b$.
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Two parallel lines as boundaries produce a slanted strip.
Write the system of inequalities whose solution is the vertical strip bounded by $x = -2$ and $x = 3$, including both boundaries.
Write the system of inequalities whose solution is the vertical strip bounded by $x = -2$ and $x = 3$, including both boundaries.
Represent the following system of inequalities and describe in words the geometric shape of the solution region: $3x - y > 2$ $3x - y < 6$
Represent the following system of inequalities and describe in words the geometric shape of the solution region:
$3x - y > 2$
$3x - y < 6$
Write a system of inequalities whose solution is a square centred at the origin, with a side length of $4$ units, with its sides parallel to the Cartesian axes, and…
Write a system of inequalities whose solution is a square centred at the origin, with a side length of $4$ units, with its sides parallel to the Cartesian axes, and where the boundary points are included.
Vertices and parameters
A vertex of the feasible region is the point where two boundary lines intersect. It is found by solving the system of those two equations (by equating, substitution, or elimination), treating the inequalities as equalities.
When an inequality has a parameter (a letter such as $k$ or $a$), you substitute the given point and solve the resulting equation or inequality for the parameter.
Find the values of the parameter $k$ for which the point $A(-1, 4)$ belongs to the solution region of the inequality $kx - 2y \le 3$.
Find the values of the parameter $k$ for which the point $A(-1, 4)$ belongs to the solution region of the inequality $kx - 2y \le 3$.
Given the system of inequalities: $x + 2y \le 7$ $ax - y \ge 1$ Calculate the value of the parameter $a$ so that the point $P(3, 2)$ is a vertex of the feasible region…
Given the system of inequalities:
$x + 2y \le 7$
$ax - y \ge 1$
Calculate the value of the parameter $a$ so that the point $P(3, 2)$ is a vertex of the feasible region (that is, it lies exactly at the intersection of the two boundary lines).
Solve the following system graphically and find analytically the coordinates of the vertices of the feasible region: $y \le 2x + 2$ $y \le -x + 5$ $y \ge 1$
Solve the following system graphically and find analytically the coordinates of the vertices of the feasible region:
$y \le 2x + 2$
$y \le -x + 5$
$y \ge 1$
Setting up allocation and production problems
Allocating money, parts, or time between two products naturally leads to a system of inequalities: each constraint (budget, hours, units) is an inequality, and the possible combinations form the feasible region.
Translate the following statement into a linear inequality in two unknowns: "Three times the weight of a large box ($x$) plus twice the weight of a small box ($y$) does…
Translate the following statement into a linear inequality in two unknowns: "Three times the weight of a large box ($x$) plus twice the weight of a small box ($y$) does not exceed $50$ kg".
To organise a party, soft drink bottles are bought at $40$ pesos each and bags of snacks at $60$ pesos each. If the maximum budget is $600$ pesos and at least one unit…
To organise a party, soft drink bottles are bought at $40$ pesos each and bags of snacks at $60$ pesos each. If the maximum budget is $600$ pesos and at least one unit of each product must be bought, set up the corresponding system of inequalities and give two possible valid purchase combinations.
A workshop manufactures bicycles and tricycles. Each bicycle requires $2$ wheels and each tricycle $3$ wheels. There are $60$ wheels left in the warehouse. Furthermore,…
A workshop manufactures bicycles and tricycles. Each bicycle requires $2$ wheels and each tricycle $3$ wheels. There are $60$ wheels left in the warehouse. Furthermore, it is known that the number of bicycles manufactured must be at least double the number of tricycles. Set up the system of inequalities that models this situation.
Linear programming
Most of the time it isn't enough to know which combinations are possible: you want the best one. The quantity you want to maximize or minimize (profit, cost) is called the objective function, for example $G=30x+40y$. The inequalities are the constraints and their solution is the feasible region.
Why? Imagine the objective function has the same value, for example $G=100$, along a line. Changing $G$ shifts that line, always parallel to itself. As you shift it in the direction where $G$ increases, the last point of the region it touches is a corner (or an entire side, which includes its two corners).
In a test with $20$ questions, each correct answer adds $2$ points and each incorrect answer subtracts $1$ point. If a candidate needs at least $15$ points to pass, set…
In a test with $20$ questions, each correct answer adds $2$ points and each incorrect answer subtracts $1$ point. If a candidate needs at least $15$ points to pass, set up the inequality relating the number of correct answers ($x$) and the number of incorrect answers ($y$). Given that $x \ge 0$, $y \ge 0$ and $x+y \le 20$, graphically represent the region of possible combinations to pass.
You can do it on paper and send a photo with your answer.
A transport company has type A lorries (capacity of $3$ metric tons) and type B lorries (capacity of $5$ metric tons). They need to transport at least $45$ metric tons…
A transport company has type A lorries (capacity of $3$ metric tons) and type B lorries (capacity of $5$ metric tons). They need to transport at least $45$ metric tons of goods. Due to staffing constraints, they cannot use more than $12$ lorries in total. Set up the system of inequalities and check analytically whether it is possible to carry out the transport using $4$ type A lorries and $7$ type B lorries.
A farmer wants to plant tomatoes and peppers in a plot of $500 \text{ m}^2$. For each square meter of tomatoes he needs $4$ liters of water per week, and for each square…
A farmer wants to plant tomatoes and peppers in a plot of $500 \text{ m}^2$. For each square meter of tomatoes he needs $4$ liters of water per week, and for each square meter of peppers he needs $3$ liters. He has a tank that provides a maximum of $1800$ liters per week. If for commercial reasons he must dedicate at least $100 \text{ m}^2$ to tomatoes and at least $50 \text{ m}^2$ to peppers, set up the system of inequalities and find out whether he can plant $250 \text{ m}^2$ of each vegetable.
Chickens and pigs are raised on a farm. It is known that the maximum number of animals the farm can accommodate is $100$. Furthermore, for profitability reasons, the…
Chickens and pigs are raised on a farm. It is known that the maximum number of animals the farm can accommodate is $100$. Furthermore, for profitability reasons, the number of pigs cannot exceed one third of the number of chickens, and there must be at least $10$ pigs. Set up the system of inequalities and represent it graphically to find the region of possible combinations.
Second-degree inequalities with two unknowns
The reasoning is the same: the curve $y=ax^2+bx+c$ divides the plane into a region above the parabola ($y>\dots$) and another below it ($y<\dots$). You draw the boundary, test a point, and shade.
Graphically represent the solution to the quadratic inequality in two unknowns $y \ge x^2 - 4x + 3$. You can do it on paper and send a photo with your answer.
Graphically represent the solution to the quadratic inequality in two unknowns $y \ge x^2 - 4x + 3$.
You can do it on paper and send a photo with your answer.
Graphically represent the region of the plane defined by the following mixed system (a quadratic inequality and a linear inequality): $y \le -x^2 + 2x + 3$ $x - y \le 1$…
Graphically represent the region of the plane defined by the following mixed system (a quadratic inequality and a linear inequality):
$y \le -x^2 + 2x + 3$
$x - y \le 1$
You can do it on paper and send a photo with your answer.