Solution of Simultaneous Linear Equations

A statement of any one of the following types:
(i) a x +b y +c < 0           (ii) a x +b y +c 0
(iii) a x +b y +c> 0          (iv) a x +b y +c 0
where a, b, c are real numbers and at least one of a and b is non-zero, is called a linear inequation (or inequality) in two variables x and y.

The set of all ordered pairs of real numbers which satisfy a given inequation is called the solution set of the given inequation.

Illustrative Examples

Example

Solve the inequations 3 x +2 y > 5 and x +y 1 simultaneously.
               

Solution

The given inequations are
                3 x +2 y > 5           ... (i)
         and x +y   1                ...(ii)
To draw the graph of 3x +2y > 5
Draw the straight line 3 x +2 y = 5 which passes through the points (5/3,0) and (0,5/2)
The line divides the plane into two parts.
Further, as O (0, 0) does not satisfy the inequation 3 x +2 y > 5 (as 3.0 +2.0 = 0 < 5), therefore, the graph of (i) consists of that part of the plane divided by the line 3 x +2 y = 5 which does not contain the origin.
Similarly, draw the graph of the inequation x +y 1.Shade the common part of the graphs of both the given inequations (i) and (ii).
The solution set of the given inequations consists of all points in the shaded part of the co-ordinate plane shown in fig. The points on the part EC of the line DC are included in the solution.

Example

Solve the following inequations simultaneously:
          3 y -2 x < 4, x +3 y > 3 and x +y 5.
            

Solution

The given inequations are
               3 y -2 x < 4 ...(i)
                  x +3 y > 3 ...(ii)
            and x +y 5   ...(iii)
To draw the graph of 3 y -2 x < 4.
Draw the straight line 3 y -2 x = 4 which passes through the points (-2, 0) and (0,4/3). The line divides the plane into two parts. Further as O (0, 0) satisfies the inequation 3 y -2 x < 4 (as 3.0 -2.0 = 0 < 4), therefore, the graph consists of that part of the plane divided by the line 3 y -2 x = 4 which contains the origin.
Similarly, draw the graphs of other two inequations x +3y > 3 and x +y 5.
Shade the common part of the graphs of all the three given inequations (i), (ii) and (iii).
The solution set consists of all the points in the shaded part of the co-ordinate plane shown in fig. The points on the line segment BC are included in the solution.

Exercise

Solve the following systems of linear inequations simultaneously:

  1. 3 x +2 y > 5 and y > 2.
  2. 3 x +2 y 6 and x +2 y > 4.
  3. 2 x +3 y> 12, x = 2 and y 1.
  4. x -2 y +11> 0, 2 x -3 y +18 0 and y 0.
  5. x +2 y 8, x -y 2, x > 0 and y > 0.
  6. x +2 y 0, x +y 4, x > 0 and y < 2.
    [Hint. The line x +2 y = 0 passes through (0, 0). Take any other point, say (1, 1). Since 1 +2. 1 = 3 > 0, so it satisfies the inequality x +2 y = 0 and hence the graph of x +2 y = 0 consists of that part of the plane divided by the line x +2 y = 0 in which the point (1, 1) lies.]

Answers

In each problem, the solution set consists of all points in the shaded part of the co-ordinate plane in their respective diagrams.

1.             2.
3.                4.
5.                  6.