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ScienceNerd36
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What are linear inequalities actually used for?
Linear inequalities are mathematical statements that compare two expressions using inequality symbols such as <, >, ≤, and ≥. These symbols indicate that one expression is less than, greater than, less than or equal to, or greater than or equal to the other expression.
Linear inequalities are used in various fields such as economics, engineering, and science to model real-life situations that involve constraints or limitations. For example, in economics, linear inequalities can be used to represent production possibilities and to find the optimal solution for a business. In engineering, they can be used to design and optimize structures. In science, they can be used to model physical phenomena and predict outcomes.
A linear equation is an equality statement where the two expressions on either side of the equal sign are equivalent. On the other hand, a linear inequality is an inequality statement where the two expressions on either side of the inequality symbol are not necessarily equal. The solution to a linear equation is a single value, while the solution to a linear inequality is a range of values that satisfy the inequality.
To graph a linear inequality, you first need to solve for y to put the equation in slope-intercept form (y = mx + b). Then, you can plot the y-intercept (b) on the y-axis and use the slope (m) to find another point on the line. Finally, you can shade the region above or below the line depending on the inequality symbol (< or >) and draw a dashed or solid line to represent the boundary of the solution region.
The feasible region in linear inequalities is the set of all points that satisfy all the given inequalities. It is the overlapping region of the individual solution regions for each inequality. In real-life applications, the feasible region represents the set of possible solutions that meet all the constraints or limitations of the problem.