Question

Describe when you use a solid line or a broken line when graphing inequalities. What does each type of line mean?

Answer 1

Graphing Linear Inequalities differs from graphing regular linear equations. That is it has certain rules to be followed to draw the graph.

1. First, rearrange the equation as y in the left and other terms in the opposite side.
2. Check for the line: y= , y≤ and y≥ comes with straight line where as y< and y> comes with a dotted (broken) line.
3. Shading: If y> greater than or y≥ greater than or equal is present then the space above the line has to be shaded. If y< less than or y≤ less than or equal is present then the space below the line has to be shaded.

Thus if the equation has y < or y > then we use broken line and y= , y≤ and y≥ then we use solid line.