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How do you know if a system or equations has one solution, no solution, or infinitely many solutions

1 Answer

2 votes

Explanation:

We transform the system of equations to the form:


\left\{\begin{array}{ccc}ax+by=c\\dx+ey=f\end{array}\right

Where a & b and d & e are relatively prime number.

1.

If a ≠ d or b ≠ e then the system of equations has one solution.

Example:


\left\{\begin{array}{ccc}2x-3y=-4\\3x+3y=9\end{array}\right

Add both sides of equations:


5x=5 divide both sides by 5


x=1

Substitute it to the second equation:


3(1)+3y=9


3+3y=9 subtract 3 from both sides


3y=6 divide both sides by 3


y=2


\boxed{x=1,\ y=2\to(1,\ 2)}

2.

If a = d and b = e and c = f then the system of equations has infinitely many solutions.

Example:


\left\{\begin{array}{ccc}2x+3y=5\\2x+3y=5\end{array}\right

Change the signs in the second equation. Next add both sides of equations:


\underline{+\left\{\begin{array}{ccc}2x+3y=5\\-2x-3y=-5\end{array}\right}\\.\qquad0=0\qquad\bold{TRUE}


\boxed{x\in\mathbb{R},\ y=(5-2x)/(3)}

3.

If a = d and b = e and c ≠ f then the system of equations has no solution.

Example:


\left\{\begin{array}{ccc}3x+2y=6\\3x+2y=1\end{array}\right

Change the signs in the second equation. Next add both sides of equations:


\underline{+\left\{\begin{array}{ccc}3x+2y=6\\-3x-2y=-1\end{array}\right}\\.\qquad0=5\qquad\bold{FALSE}

User Mahmoud Fayez
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