173. Graphing and Solving Inequalities

Learning Intentions

  • Recognise that graphs can be used to Solve inequalities
  • Draw horizontal and vertical lines given their equation
  • Draw inequalities Use horizontal and vertical lines as regions in the plane
  • Solve simple inequalities using graphs

Pre-requisite Summary

  • Coordinates are written as ordered pairs
  • A horizontal line has the form , where is a constant
  • A vertical line has the form , where is a constant
  • Points on a graph satisfy the equation of the line they lie on
  • An inequality compares values using symbols such as , , and
  • A graph of an inequality shows a whole region of points, not just a single line
  • A solid boundary line is used when the boundary is included, and a dashed boundary line is used when it is not included
  • The solution to an inequality in the plane is the set of all points in the shaded region

Worked Examples

Worked Example 1

Sketch the horizontal line .

Worked Example 2

Sketch the vertical line .

Worked Example 3

Graph the inequality .

Worked Example 4

Graph the inequality .

Worked Example 5

State whether the point is a solution to .

Worked Example 6

State whether the point is a solution to .

Worked Example 7

Use a graph to solve for the point .

Worked Example 8

Use a graph to solve for the point .

Problems

Problem 1

Sketch the horizontal line .

Problem 2

Sketch the vertical line .

Problem 3

Graph the inequality .

Problem 4

Graph the inequality .

Problem 5

State whether the point is a solution to .

Problem 6

State whether the point is a solution to .

Problem 7

Use a graph to solve for the point .

Problem 8

Use a graph to solve for the point .

Exercises

Understanding and Fluency

Exercise 1.

Sketch each line.

a)

b)

c)

Exercise 2.

Sketch each line.

a)

b)

c)

Exercise 3.

State whether each line is horizontal or vertical.

a)

b)

c)

Exercise 4.

Graph each inequality.

a)

b)

c)

Exercise 5.

Graph each inequality.

a)

b)

c)

Exercise 6.

State whether each point is a solution to the inequality.

a) for

b) for

c) for

Exercise 7.

State whether each point is a solution to the inequality.

a) for

b) for

c) for

Exercise 8.

For each point, decide which inequality is satisfied.

a) : or

b) : or

c) : or

Exercise 9.

Use a graph to solve each.

a) For the point , solve

b) For the point , solve

c) For the point , solve

Exercise 10.

Use a graph to solve each.

a) For the point , solve

b) For the point , solve

c) For the point , solve

Reasoning

Exercise 11.

Explain why the graph of is a horizontal line.

Exercise 12.

Explain why the graph of is a vertical line.

Exercise 13.

A student uses a solid line to graph . Explain the error.

Exercise 14.

Explain why the graph of an inequality represents many solutions, not just one point.

Exercise 15.

A student says that the point is a solution to because it lies on the boundary line. Explain why this is incorrect.

Exercise 16.

Explain why points on the line are included in the solution of but not in the solution of .

Problem-solving

Exercise 17.

A temperature map uses the inequality to show all days with temperature at least .

Graph the inequality and Describe the region.

Exercise 18.

A parking rule is modelled by , where is the number of hours parked.

Graph the inequality and explain whether hours is allowed.

Exercise 19.

A drone may only fly at heights .

Graph the inequality and decide whether the point is allowed.

Exercise 20.

A game board uses the rule to describe the safe region for a token.

Graph the inequality and decide whether the points and are in the safe region.

Potential Misunderstandings

  • Thinking the graph of an inequality is only the boundary line and not the whole region
  • Confusing horizontal lines of the form with vertical lines of the form
  • Reversing the roles of and when sketching a line
  • Using a solid line for or instead of a dashed line
  • Using a dashed line for or instead of a solid line
  • Forgetting that points on the boundary are included only when the inequality has or
  • Thinking a graph of an inequality gives only one solution
  • Shading the wrong side of the boundary line
  • Believing that a point on a boundary line always satisfies the inequality
  • Forgetting to test whether a given point lies in the shaded region

Next: 174. Intercepts of Linear Graphs