When graphing, how do you know if you should use a solid line or a dotted line? Does the sign determine if it should be a solid or dotted line?

if you have a less than or equal to/greater than or equal to the line will be solid if you just have a greater than/less than then the graph of the line will be dashed

how do you remember when to flip the sign? Like, sometimes it needs to flipped from < to > or vice versa.

Try to remember that if you divide by a negative value then the inequality flips. For example, the equation: -3x < 12 becomes x > -4 because you have divided both sides by a negative value. To check if this is correct, replace x with a value that is less than -4 such as -5. Then evaluate the original equation to see if it makes sense. In this case if you insert a -5 in place of x in the equation -3x < 12 you get 15 < 12. This condition is not true so the solution can only be values of x that are > -4. Also, if you replace x with -4 in the original equation you get 12 < 12. This condition is not true either. So only values > -4 make the condition true. If you insert a -3 in place of x then the equation evaluates to 9 < 12. This condition is true and you know the inequality is facing in the right direction. Hope this helps. Jeff

on this video I'm having a serious issue at seeing the graph. can it be made bigger by any chance?

If you hold the CTRL key and press + on your numpad, it will zoom in.

I have a question regarding 2:40. How do you know which area will satisfy the inequality y < 3x+ 5 ? How do you know whether it's the area to the left of the dotted line or the area to the right of the dotted line?

In the case that y<ax+b, then the shaded area will be "below" the dotted line, in the case that y>ax+b, then the shaded area will be "above" the dotted line.

So if y < something, I draw below the dotted line, and if y > something, I draw above the dotted line? Thanks in advance...

Yes, that is one way of thinking about it

how does he know the shading

The shading is determined by the inequality. If the inequality is less than: y < mx+b, you shade below the line. If the shading is greater than: y > mx+b, you shade above the line. If you want to confirm that you have shaded the correct side, pick a point from the side where you shaded. Then, test that ordered pair in the inequality. If it makes the inequality be "true", then you have shaded the correct side. Hope this helps.

What if you had to graph in point slope form or another way besides slope intercept form? And how would you figure out what x equals in the first place?

If you have it in point slope form, you have a point that you can graph, then use the slope to find additional points. In standard form, you can set x=0 to find y intercept and y=0 to find x intercept, then graph these two points. If it is a linear function or linear inequality, the domain is all real numbers, so x could be anything.

how can you tell whether the line is shaded up or down? Im so confused

If the inequality is in slope intercept form: y<mx+b or y>mx+b, then you can tell where to shade based upon the inequality. -- If the inequality is "<", you shade below the line. -- If the inequality is ">", you shade above the line. You can also always pick a point on either side of the line and test it in the inequality. -- If the point makes the inequality be true, then you shade that side. -- If the point makes the inequality false, then you shade the opposite side. Hope this helps.

Main content

Course: Algebra 1 (Illustrative Mathematics) > Unit 5

Lesson 2: Graphing linear inequalities in two variables

Graphing two-variable inequalities

Name: Graphing two-variable inequalities
Uploaded: 2011-02-20T16:30:02Z
Description: Sal graphs the inequality y<3x+5.

Google Classroom

Sal graphs the inequality y<3x+5. Created by Sal Khan and Monterey Institute for Technology and Education.

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Daniela Barriga
Posted 11 years ago. Direct link to Daniela Barriga's post “When graphing, how do you...”
When graphing, how do you know if you should use a solid line or a dotted line? Does the sign determine if it should be a solid or dotted line?
Button navigates to signup pageComment on Daniela Barriga's post “When graphing, how do you...”
(39 votes)
Answer
- areesha adil
  Posted 11 years ago. Direct link to areesha adil's post “if you have a less than o...”
  if you have a less than or equal to/greater than or equal to the line will be solid
  if you just have a greater than/less than then the graph of the line will be dashed
  Button navigates to signup page
  (37 votes)
faith
Posted 7 years ago. Direct link to faith's post “how do you remember when ...”
how do you remember when to flip the sign? Like, sometimes it needs to flipped from < to > or vice versa.
Button navigates to signup pageButton navigates to signup page
(12 votes)
Answer
- Mr. Kirkpatrick
  Posted 7 years ago. Direct link to Mr. Kirkpatrick's post “Try to remember that if y...”
  Try to remember that if you divide by a negative value then the inequality flips. For example, the equation: -3x < 12 becomes x > -4 because you have divided both sides by a negative value. To check if this is correct, replace x with a value that is less than -4 such as -5. Then evaluate the original equation to see if it makes sense. In this case if you insert a -5 in place of x in the equation -3x < 12 you get 15 < 12. This condition is not true so the solution can only be values of x that are > -4. Also, if you replace x with -4 in the original equation you get 12 < 12. This condition is not true either. So only values > -4 make the condition true. If you insert a -3 in place of x then the equation evaluates to 9 < 12. This condition is true and you know the inequality is facing in the right direction. Hope this helps. Jeff
  Comment on Mr. Kirkpatrick's post “Try to remember that if y...”
  (20 votes)
JasonMC119
Posted 5 years ago. Direct link to JasonMC119's post “i still don't understand ...”
i still don't understand shading!
Button navigates to signup pageComment on JasonMC119's post “i still don't understand ...”
(10 votes)
Answer
Breanna Charbonnet
Posted 10 years ago. Direct link to Breanna Charbonnet's post “on this video I'm having ...”
on this video I'm having a serious issue at seeing the graph. can it be made bigger by any chance?
Button navigates to signup pageButton navigates to signup page
(8 votes)
Answer
- Alex Sheppard
  Posted 10 years ago. Direct link to Alex Sheppard's post “If you hold the CTRL key ...”
  If you hold the CTRL key and press + on your numpad, it will zoom in.
  Comment on Alex Sheppard's post “If you hold the CTRL key ...”
  (16 votes)
Martin Ruga
Posted 11 years ago. Direct link to Martin Ruga's post “I have a question regardi...”
I have a question regarding
2:40
. How do you know which area will satisfy the inequality y < 3x+ 5 ? How do you know whether it's the area to the left of the dotted line or the area to the right of the dotted line?
Button navigates to signup pageButton navigates to signup page
(6 votes)
Answer
- August Sonne
  Posted 11 years ago. Direct link to August Sonne's post “In the case that y<ax+b, ...”
  In the case that y<ax+b, then the shaded area will be "below" the dotted line, in the case that y>ax+b, then the shaded area will be "above" the dotted line.
  Comment on August Sonne's post “In the case that y<ax+b, ...”
  (6 votes)
lukerozmajzl
Posted 5 years ago. Direct link to lukerozmajzl's post “So if y < something, I dr...”
So if y < something, I draw below the dotted line, and if y > something, I draw above the dotted line? Thanks in advance...
Button navigates to signup pageButton navigates to signup page
(6 votes)
Answer
- Osama Al-Bahrani
  Posted 5 years ago. Direct link to Osama Al-Bahrani's post “Yes, that is one way of t...”
  Yes, that is one way of thinking about it
  Button navigates to signup page
  (5 votes)
VarunBaijal
Posted 5 years ago. Direct link to VarunBaijal's post “how does he know the shad...”
how does he know the shading
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(4 votes)
Answer
- Kim Seidel
  Posted 5 years ago. Direct link to Kim Seidel's post “The shading is determined...”
  The shading is determined by the inequality.
  If the inequality is less than: y < mx+b, you shade below the line. If the shading is greater than: y > mx+b, you shade above the line.
  
  If you want to confirm that you have shaded the correct side, pick a point from the side where you shaded. Then, test that ordered pair in the inequality. If it makes the inequality be "true", then you have shaded the correct side.
  
  Hope this helps.
  Comment on Kim Seidel's post “The shading is determined...”
  (9 votes)
Zoha Chandra
Posted 4 years ago. Direct link to Zoha Chandra's post “how can you tell whether ...”
how can you tell whether the line is shaded up or down? Im so confused
Button navigates to signup pageButton navigates to signup page
(2 votes)
Answer
- Kim Seidel
  Posted 4 years ago. Direct link to Kim Seidel's post “If the inequality is in s...”
  If the inequality is in slope intercept form: y<mx+b or y>mx+b, then you can tell where to shade based upon the inequality.
  -- If the inequality is "<", you shade below the line.
  -- If the inequality is ">", you shade above the line.
  
  You can also always pick a point on either side of the line and test it in the inequality.
  -- If the point makes the inequality be true, then you shade that side.
  -- If the point makes the inequality false, then you shade the opposite side.
  
  Hope this helps.
  Comment on Kim Seidel's post “If the inequality is in s...”
  (9 votes)
Anderson Le
Posted 5 years ago. Direct link to Anderson Le's post “What if you had to graph ...”
What if you had to graph in point slope form or another way besides slope intercept form? And how would you figure out what x equals in the first place?
Button navigates to signup pageButton navigates to signup page
(3 votes)
Answer
- David Severin
  Posted 5 years ago. Direct link to David Severin's post “If you have it in point s...”
  If you have it in point slope form, you have a point that you can graph, then use the slope to find additional points. In standard form, you can set x=0 to find y intercept and y=0 to find x intercept, then graph these two points.
  If it is a linear function or linear inequality, the domain is all real numbers, so x could be anything.
  Button navigates to signup page
  (5 votes)
tanjotgrewal3
Posted 9 years ago. Direct link to tanjotgrewal3's post “how can I graph something...”
how can I graph something like absolute value of (x-3)= 2
where the left side is an absolute value but right side isn't.

Would I say: let x -3= y1
and let 2=y2

then graph those two and the number of points of intersections will give me the number of solutions and the solutions themselves to solve this absolute value.
Button navigates to signup pageComment on tanjotgrewal3's post “how can I graph something...”
(3 votes)
Answer
- Sai
  Posted 2 days ago. Direct link to Sai's post “To graph the equation |x ...”
  To graph the equation |x - 3| = 2, you can follow these steps:
  
  Understand the absolute value: The absolute value of a number is its distance from zero on the number line, regardless of direction. Therefore, |x - 3| = 2 means that the distance between x and 3 is 2 units.
  
  Solve for x: This gives us two equations, x - 3 = 2 and x - 3 = -2. Solving these gives x = 5 and x = 1.
  
  Plot the points: On a number line or coordinate plane, plot the points (1, 0) and (5, 0).
  
  Draw the graph: Since this is an absolute value equation, the graph will be V-shaped. The point at the bottom of the 'V' is (3, 0), and the 'V' passes through the points (1, 0) and (5, 0).
  
  Remember, the graph of an absolute value equation will always be 'V' or 'U' shaped, and the vertex of the 'V' or 'U' is the value inside the absolute value when it is set to zero. In this case, when x - 3 = 0, x = 3, so the vertex is at (3, 0).
  Button navigates to signup page
  (1 vote)

Video transcript

We're asked to graph the inequality y is less than 3x plus 5. So if you give us any x-- and let me label the axes here. So this is the x-axis. This is the y-axis. So this is saying you give me an x. So let's say we take x is equal to 1 right there. 3 times 1 plus 5. So 3 times x plus 5. So 3 times 1 is 3 plus 5 is 8. So one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight. This is saying that y will be less than 8. y will be less than 3 times 1 plus 5. So the y-values that satisfy this constraint for that x are going to be all of these values down here. Let me do it in a lighter color. It'll be all of these values. For x is equal to 1, it'll be all the values down here, and it would not include y is equal to 8. Y has to be less than 8. Now, if we kept doing that, we would essentially just to graph the line of y is equal to 3x plus 5, but we wouldn't include it. We would just include everything below it, just like we did right here. So we know how to graph just y is equal to 3x plus 5. Let me write it over here. So if I were to write y is equal to 3x plus 5, we would say, OK, 3 is the slope. Slope is equal to 3, and then 5 is the y-intercept. Now, I could just graph the line, but because that won't be included in the y's that satisfy this constraint, I'm going to graph it as a dotted line. So we'll start with the y-intercept of 5. So one, two, three, four, five. That's the y-intercept. And the slope is 3. So if you go over to the 1, you go up 3. So let me do that in that darker purple color. So it'll look like this. It will look like that. That point would be on it. That point would be on it. If you go back, you're going to go down by 3. So that point will be on it, that point, and that point, and I'll just connect the dots with a dotted line. That dotted line is the graph of y is equal to 3x plus 5, but we're not going to include it. So that's why I made it a dotted line because we want all of the y's that are less than that. So for any x-- so you pick an x. Let's say x is equal to negative 1. If you evaluate 3x plus 5 for that x, you'd get here. But we only care about the y's that are strictly less than that. So you don't include the line. It's everything below it. So for any x you pick, it's going to be below that line. You take the x, go up to that line and everything below it. So for all of the x's, it's going to be this entire area. Let me draw it a little bit neater than that. It's going to be this entire area that's under the line. I'll do it in this orange. It's a little bit easier to see. So this entire area under the line is y is less than 3x.