Steply

Graph 3x - 2y < 6 and y < 1

Step by step, with the reason for every step · Systems of inequalities · Algebra 1

Step by step

The question

Question: graph 3x − 2y < 6 and y < 1.

① 3x − 2y < 6 and ② y < 1

We shade the answer of each one.

Where both are shaded, both are true.

answer = the part shaded twice

1 Crossing points of ①

On the x-axis, y = 0.

Put 0 in place of y.

3x − 2 × 0 = 6

2 times 0 is 0.

Taking away 0 changes nothing.

3x = 6

3x means 3 times x.

We want just x.

To remove times 3, we divide by 3.

We do it on both sides, so they stay equal.

3x3 = 63

3 divided by 3 is 1.

So just x is left.

6 divided by 3 is 2.

63 = 2

So x = 2.

x = 2

On the y-axis, x = 0.

Put 0 in place of x.

3 × 0 − 2y = 6

3 times 0 is 0.

0 minus 2y is −2y.

−2y = 6

−2y means −2 times y.

We want just y.

To remove times −2, we divide by −2.

We do it on both sides, so they stay equal.

−2y−2 = 6−2

−2 divided by −2 is 1.

So just y is left.

Plus over minus is minus.

6 divided by −2 is −3.

6−2 = −3

So y = −3.

So line ① crosses the axes at (2, 0) and (0, −3).

y = −3

2 Graph ①

Draw the grid.

①: The sign is less than, with no "or equal to".

So the line is dashed.

① < → dashed line

Put the two crossing points on the grid,

and join them: dashed.

Which side?

We test one point: (0, 0).

Put x = 0 and y = 0 into ①.

① 3(0) − 2(0) < 6
0 < 6 true

Is 0 less than 6?

Yes, true.

Careful!

The sign alone does not say above or below.

When y has a minus in front, it can turn.

The test point tells us.

Careful: < does not always mean below

So we shade the side with (0, 0), in red.

3 Graph ②

②: The sign is less than, with no "or equal to".

So the line is dashed.

② < → dashed line

b = 1.

Start on the y-axis at 1.

A flat line through the dot: dashed.

Which side?

We test one point: (0, 0).

Put x = 0 and y = 0 into ②.

② 0 < 1 true

Is 0 less than 1?

Yes, true.

So we shade the side with (0, 0), in blue.

4 Where both are shaded

This part is shaded twice.

It is the answer.

5 Check

Let's check with a point in the purple part: (−1, −1).

Put it into ①.

① 3(−1) − 2(−1) < 6
−1 < 6 true

Now ②.

② −1 < 1 true

True in both!

So the answer is right.

Let's look back.

First: crossing points of ①.

Then: graph ①.

Then: graph ②.

Then: where both are shaded.

Last: check.

Answer
② 0 < 1 true

Your turn

Try this one yourself, then check:

Graph 2x − 3y < 6 and y < 2
Show the answer
the part shaded twice

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