SOLUTION: what condition a &b must satisfy so that the following system has nontrival solution? x+y+ax=0 x+y+bz=0 ax+by+z=0

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Question 1044650: what condition a &b must satisfy so that the following system has nontrival
solution?
x+y+ax=0
x+y+bz=0
ax+by+z=0

Found 2 solutions by robertb, ikleyn:
Answer by robertb(5830) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
I will assume that your first equation is actually x+y+az = 0.
Simply equate the determinant of the coefficient matrix to 0:

===>
===> -a%5E2+%2B2ab+-+b%5E2+=+-%28a%5E2-2ab%2Bb%5E2%29+=+-%28a-b%29%5E2+=+0
===> a+=+b, for the system to have a non-trivial solution.

Answer by ikleyn(52776) About Me  (Show Source):