Question

Determine the values of a for which the system has no solutions, exactly one solution, or infinitely many solutions. x + 2y – 3z = 4 3x – y + 5z = 2 4x + y +(a– 14)z = a +2

Answer 1

The system has solution when:

`a\\eq 16`

The system has no solution when:

`a=16`

Step-by-step explanation:

First rewrite the system in its augmented matrix form

`\left[\begin{array}{cccc}1&2&-3&4\\3&-1&5&2\\4&1&a-14&a+2\end{array}\right]`

Let´s apply row reduction process to its associated augmented matrix:

`F2-3F1\\F3-4F1`

`\left[\begin{array}{cccc}1&2&-3&4\\0&-7&14&-10\\0&-7&a-2&a-14\end{array}\right]`

`F3-F2`

`\left[\begin{array}{cccc}1&2&-3&4\\0&-7&14&-10\\0&0&a-16&a-4\end{array}\right]`

Now we have this:

`x+2y-3z=4\\0-7y+14=-10\\0+0+(a-16)z=a-4`

We can conclude now:

The system has no solution when:

`a=16`

And the system has solution when:

`a\\eq 16`