Question 1019348: For what value(s) of k, if any, will the system have no solution, a unique solution, and infinitely many solutions? (Enter your answers as a comma-separated list. If an answer does not exist, enter DNE.)
kx + 2y = 3
2x − 4y = −6
Answer by ikleyn(52778) (Show Source):
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For what value(s) of k, if any, will the system have no solution, a unique solution, and infinitely many solutions? (Enter your answers as a comma-separated list. If an answer does not exist, enter DNE.)
kx + 2y = 3
2x - 4y = -6
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Answer. If k = -1 then the system has infinitely many solutions.
For any other value of k the system has a unique solution.
Solution.
If k=-1 then the system has the form
-x + 2y = 3, (1)
2x - 4y = -6. (2)
Notice that the row of coefficients of the second equation is proportional
to the row of coefficients of the first equation (with the proportionality coefficient -2).
The right side terms are proportional with the same coefficient -2.
It means that the system (1), (2) has infinitely many solutions.
Geometrically, equations (1) and (2) represent the same straight line in the coordinate plane.
For any other value of k the rows of coefficients are not proportional.
So the system has a unique solution.
See the lesson Geometric interpretation of the linear system of two equations in two unknowns in this site.
There you will find more details.
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