Question

2x + y= -1

y=ax?
10. For the system of equations above, what must be
true about the value of a if the system has no
solutions?

Answer 1

a = -2

Explanation:

The graphs of the lines would have to be parallel. So they must have the same slope. 2x + y = -1 changed to slope-intercept form is y = -2x - 1. Therefore, the slope of that line is -2. y = ax is in slope-intercept form where the slope is a. So, a must equal -2.