Comparing Linear Graphs - Essay Example

Comparing Linear Equation and Inequality Graph The graph given below is for linear equation. The graph given below is for linear inequality -->. What are the major differences between the linear equation graph and the linear equality graph? A linear equation graph only represents the points on the line. Solution of the linear equation is the point on the line of linear equation graph as shown in linear equation graph. However, a linear inequality graph describes an area of the coordinate plane that has a boundary line and every point in that region (area) is a solution of the linear inequality as shown by shaded area in linear inequality graph (Linear Inequalities).

All the points that lie on this shaded portion satisfy the linear inequality. In addition, in case of linear equation graph, there will be only one value of y for one value of x. However, in case of linear inequality graph, there will be more than one (infinite) value of y for one value of x.In what ways can you present these graphs to help your company understand them better? A linear equation graph can be easily plotted if some points (x, y) are known. Similarly, a linear inequality graph can be plotted if the points for linear equation of the linear inequality are known.

The above two examples of linear equation and linear inequality have same expression (only difference is = and ≤ or ≥) and therefore can be plotted (graphed) similarly. If there are several linear equations than they can be plotted by choosing different colors, line types and size. Similarly, if there is more than one linear inequality (various supply and demand graphs) than for each linear inequality different types of color and shades can be used for differencing them. In addition, intersection (combined shaded area) of all the linear inequality will be solution area (for supply and demand graphs) and the points of intersection of linear inequality will be the break-even point.

References:Graphing Linear Equations, retrieved on February 28, 2008 from http://www.purplemath.com/modules/graphlin2.htmGraphing Linear Inequalities, retrieved on February 28, 2008 http://www.purplemath.com/modules/ineqgrph.htmIntermediate Algebra Tutorial 14: Graphing Linear Equations, retrieved on February 28, 2008 from http://www.wtamu.edu/academic/anns/mps/math/mathlab/int_algebra/int_alg_tut14_lineargr.htmLinear Inequalities, retrieved on February 28, 2008 from http://www.mathwarehouse.com/algebra/linear_equation/linear-inequality.php