How do you graph the region 3x-4y>= -12?

1 Answer
Feb 10, 2015

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Since 3x - 4y = -12 is linear, the easiest place to start is to draw the line for that equation by determining the x and y axii intercepts.

When y = 0 then 3x - 4y = -12 becomes 3x = -12 or x = -4

When x = 0 then 3x - 4y = -12 becomes -4y = -12 or y = 3

We can now draw the line for the equation 3x - 4y = -12 by drawing a straight line through the two points (-4,0) and (0,3)

All that remains is to determine which side of that line is represented by 3x - 4y = -12

Consider the point (x,y) = (0,0) and apply it to the given expression
3x - 4y >= -12 giving 3(0) - 4(0) >= -12 or 0 >= -12

Since this is obviously true (x,y) = (0,0) must be within the area described by 3x - 4y >= -12

The required graph is therefore the unshaded area in the diagram (plus the line for 3x - 4y = -12).