SOLUTION: explain what it means for a system of equations to be inconsistent and how you can tell whether a system is inconsistent using Gaussian elimination?

Question 171305: explain what it means for a system of equations to be inconsistent and how you can tell whether a system is inconsistent using Gaussian elimination?
Answer by solver91311(24713) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
A system is inconsistent when it has no solutions, e.g. the equations of two parallel lines. When using Gaussian elimination on a system, if you have zeros in an entire row to the left of the bar and do not have a zero to the right of the bar on that row, you know that you have an inconsistent system. Contrast this to where your have zeros in an entire row to the left of the bar AND a zero to the right of the bar representing an undetermined system -- one with infinite solutions.

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