Here are your Math Notes on Linear Equalities and Inequalities:
Linear Equalities and Inequalities Class Notes
1. Introduction to Linear Equalities and Inequalities
A linear equation or equality is an equation of the form:
ax+b=0ax + b = 0
where aa and bb are constants, and xx is the variable. The graph of a linear equation is a
straight line.
A linear inequality is an inequality that involves linear expressions. The general form is:
ax+b>0orax+b<0orax+b≥0orax+b≤0ax + b > 0 \quad \text{or} \quad ax + b < 0 \quad \
text{or} \quad ax + b \geq 0 \quad \text{or} \quad ax + b \leq 0
Linear inequalities represent a region on a number line or coordinate plane.
2. Solving Linear Equations
2.1 Solving a Simple Linear Equation
A linear equation is solved by isolating the variable xx.
Example: Solve 2x+3=112x + 3 = 11
Steps:
1. Subtract 3 from both sides:
2x=82x = 8
2. Divide both sides by 2:
x=4x = 4
2.2 Solving Linear Equations with Fractions
Example: Solve 3x4−2=6\frac{3x}{4} - 2 = 6
Steps:
1. Add 2 to both sides:
3x4=8\frac{3x}{4} = 8
2. Multiply both sides by 4 to eliminate the fraction:
3x=323x = 32
3. Divide both sides by 3:
x=323x = \frac{32}{3}
3. Solving Linear Inequalities
3.1 Solving a Simple Linear Inequality
A linear inequality is solved in much the same way as a linear equation, except that the
inequality symbol is involved.
Example: Solve 2x+5≤92x + 5 \leq 9
Steps:
1. Subtract 5 from both sides:
2x≤42x \leq 4
2. Divide both sides by 2:
x≤2x \leq 2
The solution is x≤2x \leq 2, which means all values of xx less than or equal to 2 are solutions.
3.2 Solving Linear Inequalities with Negative Numbers
When multiplying or dividing by a negative number, reverse the inequality sign.
Example: Solve −3x>12-3x > 12
Steps:
1. Divide both sides by -3 and reverse the inequality sign:
x<−4x < -4
The solution is x<−4x < -4.
3.3 Graphing Linear Inequalities
Linear inequalities can be graphed on a number line or coordinate plane.
For ax+b≤cax + b \leq c or ax+b≥cax + b \geq c:
Use a solid line or dot to indicate the inclusion of the boundary.
For ax+b<cax + b < c or ax+b>cax + b > c:
Use an open circle or dashed line to indicate that the boundary is not included.
Example: Graph x≥3x \geq 3:
Draw a solid circle at 33 and shade to the right.
4. Systems of Linear Inequalities
A system of linear inequalities involves two or more linear inequalities. The solution is
the region where the shaded areas of all inequalities overlap.
4.1 Example of a System of Linear Inequalities
Solve the system:
x+y≥4x + y \geq 4 x−y≤1x - y \leq 1
Steps:
1. Graph the boundary lines of each inequality.
2. Shade the appropriate region for each inequality.
3. The solution is where the shaded regions overlap.
4.2 Graphing a System of Linear Inequalities
For each inequality in the system:
o Graph the boundary line (solid or dashed).
o Shade the region that satisfies the inequality (above the line for y>y >, below for
y<y <, etc.).
The overlapping shaded region is the solution.
5. Special Properties of Linear Inequalities
Transitive Property: If a<ba < b and b<cb < c, then a<ca < c.
Addition and Subtraction: You can add or subtract the same number to both sides of an
inequality without changing the direction of the inequality.
Example:
If a<ba < b, then a+c<b+ca + c < b + c for any number cc.
Multiplication and Division:
o When multiplying or dividing both sides of an inequality by a positive number,
the inequality direction stays the same.
o When multiplying or dividing both sides of an inequality by a negative number,
reverse the direction of the inequality.
6. Applications of Linear Inequalities
6.1 Word Problems Involving Linear Inequalities
Example: A company sells pens for $2 each. The company wants to sell at least 200 pens to meet
its costs.
Let xx represent the number of pens sold. The inequality to represent the situation is:
2x≥2002x \geq 200
Solving:
x≥100x \geq 100
Thus, the company must sell at least 100 pens to meet its cost.
6.2 Real-Life Problems
Linear inequalities are used in budgeting, time management, profit and loss calculations, and
various optimization problems where constraints are involved.
7. Conclusion
Linear Equations: Equations of the form ax+b=0ax + b = 0, solved by isolating xx.
Linear Inequalities: Inequalities of the form ax+b>0ax + b > 0 (etc.), solved by similar
methods but with attention to inequality signs.
Graphing: Linear inequalities can be graphed on number lines or coordinate planes.
Systems of Inequalities: Solutions to systems of inequalities are found by graphing and
identifying overlapping regions.
Feel free to ask for any more examples or clarifications if needed!
