The how to represent an inequality in a graph question

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    Graph Inequality
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around how to represent inequalities graphically, specifically focusing on the inequalities x+y ≥ 2 and x-y ≥ 2. Participants explore the implications of these inequalities on the corresponding half-planes and the reasoning behind the graphical representation.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant states that the inequality x+y ≥ 2 includes all points on the line x+y=2 and the half-plane above it, while questioning why x-y ≥ 2 represents the line and the half-plane below it.
  • Another participant explains that the orientation of the axes in a conventional graph leads to characterizing lines via equations of the form y = mx + c, where y ≥ mx + c indicates the region above the line, and y ≤ mx + c indicates the region below the line.
  • A third participant notes that changing the sign of y results in a horizontal reflection along the x-axis, which reverses the regions above and below the line.
  • A later reply suggests a method for determining which half-plane corresponds to the inequality x-y ≥ 2 by testing points not on the line to see if they satisfy the inequality.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the graphical representation of the inequalities, with some agreeing on the reasoning behind the half-planes while others remain uncertain about the implications of the sign changes in the inequalities.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes assumptions about the orientation of axes and the interpretation of inequalities, which may not be universally agreed upon. The method of testing points to determine the half-plane is presented as one approach among others.

Who May Find This Useful

Readers interested in graphical representations of inequalities, particularly in mathematics or related fields, may find this discussion relevant.

#neutrino
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if x+y ≥ 2 it contains all the point in the line x+y =2 and the half plane above it. but ,graph if x-y ≥ 2 then if consider a line x-y= 2 the inequality represents the line and the half plane below it . i don't understand why it represents the half line below it why not above ?
 
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That is because of the way we set up our axes on a conventional graph - with the y-axis rotated 90 degrees anticlockwise from the x-axis. This makes it natural for us to characterise lines via equations of the form y = m x + c. So naturally, if we have an inequality of form y \geq m x + c, the region is "above" the line, while for y \leq m x + c, the region is "below" the line, since our axes are oriented such that the y-axis increases along the vertical direction.
 
You changed the sign of y which is a horizontal reflection along the x-axis so above becomes below and vice versa.
 
#neutrino said:
if x+y ≥ 2 it contains all the point in the line x+y =2 and the half plane above it. but ,graph if x-y ≥ 2 then if consider a line x-y= 2 the inequality represents the line and the half plane below it . i don't understand why it represents the half line below it why not above ?
Clearly the graph of ##x - y \ge 2## includes the line x - y = 2. To determine which half-plane makes up the rest of the graph, pick a point that isn't on the line, and see if it makes the inequality a true statement. For example, does the point (0, 0) satisfy the inequality? Does the point (2, -2) satisfy the inequality?
 
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