MA.912.AR.2.8

Given a mathematical or real-world context, graph the solution set to a two-variable linear inequality.

Clarifications

Clarification 1: Instruction includes the use of standard form, slope-intercept form and point-slope form and any inequality symbol can be represented.

Clarification 2: Instruction includes cases where one variable has a coefficient of zero.

General Information
Subject Area: Mathematics (B.E.S.T.)
Grade: 912
Strand: Algebraic Reasoning
Status: State Board Approved

Benchmark Instructional Guide

Connecting Benchmarks/Horizontal Alignment

 

Terms from the K-12 Glossary

  • Coordinate Plane  
  • Linear Expression

 

Vertical Alignment

Previous Benchmarks

Next Benchmarks

 

Purpose and Instructional Strategies

In grade 8, students graphed linear two-variable equations. In Algebra I, students graph the solution set to a two-variable linear inequality. In later courses, students will solve problems involving linear programming and will graph the solutions sets of two-variable quadratic inequalities. 
  • Instruction includes the use of linear inequalities in standard form, slope-intercept form and point-slope form. Include examples in which one variable has a coefficient of zero such as x < −175.
  • Instruction includes the connection to graphing solution sets of one-variable inequalities on a number line; recognizing whether the boundary line should be dotted (exclusive) or solid (inclusive). Additionally, have students use a test point to confirm which side of the line should be shaded (MTR.6.1). 
  • Students should recognize that the inequality symbol only directs where the line is shaded (above or below) for inequalities when in slope-intercept form. Students shading inequalities in other forms will need to use a test point to determine the correct half-plane to shade.

 

Common Misconceptions or Errors

  • Students often choose to shade the wrong half-plane when graphing two-variable linear inequalities. 
  • Students may think that the inequality symbol’s orientation always determines the side of the line to shade. 
    • For example, students may say that inequalities with a less than symbol should be shaded below the line while inequalities with a greater than symbol should be shaded above the line. This typically happens after graphing multiple inequalities in slope-intercept form. To address this, provides counterexamples to this such as 3x − 2y < 15 or − 4x − 7 ≥ y. Use these counterexamples to emphasize the benefit of using a test point to confirm the direction of shading.

 

Strategies to Support Tiered Instruction

  • Instruction includes opportunities to use a highlighter to identify the phrases “is less than,” “is greater than,” “is less than or equal to,” and “is greater than or equal to” when writing inequalities. 
  • Teacher provides instruction modeling how to correctly identify the solution set of a linear inequality given in slope-intercept form. After graphing, students can circle the y intercept. If the inequality is in form y < mx + b or ymx + b, the solution set is the half-plane that contains the y-axis values below the y-intercept. If the inequality is in form y > mx + b or ymx + b, the solution set is the half-plane that contains the y- axis values above the y-intercept. 
  • Instruction includes opportunities to graph the boundary line of a system of inequalities, based on an inaccurate translation from word problem. To assist in determining the boundary line for the system, students can create a graphic organizer like the one below. 
  • Instruction includes making the connection between the algebraic and graphical representations of a two-variable linear inequality and its key features. 
    • For example, teacher can provide a graphic organizer such as the one below. 

  • Instruction includes opportunities to identify a test point to plug into an inequality. It is usually easiest to use the origin (0,0) as it makes mental calculations easier. If the point selected creates a true statement, their inequality is true and they should shade in the half-plane containing that point. If it creates a false statement, they should shade in the half-plane not containing that point. By using a test point, students avoid the mistake of thinking that the direction of the inequality determines the shading. 
    • For example, the points (−4,3), (0,0), (3,2) and (3, −1) were used to determine where to shade for the inequality 4x − 3y < 6 shown below.

 

Instructional Tasks

Instructional Task 1 (MTR.7.1)  
  • Penelope is planning to bake cakes and cookies to sell for an upcoming school fundraiser.  
  • Each cake requires 134 cups of flour and each batch of cookies requires 214 cups of flour. 
  • Penelope bought 3 bags of flour. Each bag contains around 17 cups of flour. 
    • Part A. Assuming she has all the other ingredients needed, create a graph to show all the possible combinations of cakes and batches of cookies Penelope could make. 
    • Part B. Create constraints for this given situation.

 

Instructional Items

Instructional Item 1 
  • Graph the solution set to the inequality y + 3 > −2(x − 2).

*The strategies, tasks and items included in the B1G-M are examples and should not be considered comprehensive.


Related Courses

This benchmark is part of these courses.
1200310: Algebra 1 (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
1200320: Algebra 1 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
1200370: Algebra 1-A (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
1200400: Foundational Skills in Mathematics 9-12 (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
7912080: Access Algebra 1A (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2018, 2018 - 2019, 2019 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
1200315: Algebra 1 for Credit Recovery (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
1200375: Algebra 1-A for Credit Recovery (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
7912075: Access Algebra 1 (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2018, 2018 - 2019, 2019 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
1209315: Mathematics for ACT and SAT (Specifically in versions: 2022 and beyond (current))

Related Access Points

Alternate version of this benchmark for students with significant cognitive disabilities.
MA.912.AR.2.AP.8: Given a two-variable linear inequality, select a graph that represents the solution.

Related Resources

Vetted resources educators can use to teach the concepts and skills in this benchmark.

Formative Assessments

Linear Inequalities in the Half-Plane:

Students are asked to graph all solutions for a non-strict <= or >= linear inequality in the coordinate plane.

Type: Formative Assessment

Graphing Linear Inequalities:

Students are asked to graph a strict < or > linear inequality in the coordinate plane.

 

Type: Formative Assessment

Lesson Plans

Solving Systems of Inequalities:

Students will learn to graph a system of inequalities and identify points in the solution set. This lesson aligns with the Mathematics Formative Assessment System (MFAS) Task Graph a System of Inequalities (CPALMS Resource #60567). In this lesson, students with similar instructional needs are grouped according to MFAS rubric levels: Getting Started, Moving Forward, Almost There, and Got It. Students in each group complete an exercise designed to move them toward a better understanding of solutions of systems of inequalities and their graphs.

Type: Lesson Plan

Feasible or Non-Feasible? - That is the Question (Graphing Systems of Linear Inequalities):

In this lesson, students learn how to use the graph of a system of linear inequalities to determine the feasible region. Students practice solving word problems to find the optimal solution that maximizes profits. Students will use the free application, GeoGebra (see download link under Suggested Technology) to help them create different graphs and to determine the feasible or non-feasible solutions.

Type: Lesson Plan

Original Student Tutorial

Graphing Linear Inequalities:

Learn to graph linear inequalities in two variables to display their solutions as you complete this interactive tutorial.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

MFAS Formative Assessments

Graphing Linear Inequalities:

Students are asked to graph a strict < or > linear inequality in the coordinate plane.

 

Linear Inequalities in the Half-Plane:

Students are asked to graph all solutions for a non-strict <= or >= linear inequality in the coordinate plane.

Original Student Tutorials Mathematics - Grades 9-12

Graphing Linear Inequalities:

Learn to graph linear inequalities in two variables to display their solutions as you complete this interactive tutorial.

Student Resources

Vetted resources students can use to learn the concepts and skills in this benchmark.

Original Student Tutorial

Graphing Linear Inequalities:

Learn to graph linear inequalities in two variables to display their solutions as you complete this interactive tutorial.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Parent Resources

Vetted resources caregivers can use to help students learn the concepts and skills in this benchmark.