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A Line Splits the Plane

Part of the Graphs & Systems section of Coddy's Algebra journey. Lesson 42 of 64.

Change the = of a line to < and the solutions stop being a line: they become a whole region. y < x + 1 collects every point BELOW the line y = x + 1, because below is exactly where the y is smaller than x + 1.

y < x + 1: everything below the line

y < x + 1: everything below the line

The line itself is the boundary, and the inequality picks a side: > shades above, < shades below, when y stands alone on the left. One equation, one line; one inequality, half a plane.

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Challenge

Shade the solutions of y < 2x - 1.

Try it yourself

y < 2x - 1

Draw the graph

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This lesson includes a short quiz. Start the lesson to answer it and track your progress.

All lessons in Graphs & Systems