Final answer:
The given system of equations is inconsistent, as it leads to a contradiction. Therefore, the answer is option (a) Inconsistent.
Step-by-step explanation:
The given equations are:
2a + 3b – 2c = 18
5a + 6b + c = 21
4b – 2c - 6 = 0
To solve the system of equations, we can use the method of substitution or elimination. Let's use elimination:
Multiplying the first equation by 2 and the second equation by 4, we get:
4a + 6b - 4c = 36
20a + 24b + 4c = 84
Adding these two equations, we eliminate the variable c:
24a + 30b = 120
Multiplying the third equation by 3 and adding it to the previous equation, we eliminate the variable b:
24a + 30b + 12c = 36
27a + 42c = 156
Finally, we can solve this system of equations using any method. From the equations above, we can see that it leads to a contradiction, indicating that the system is inconsistent. Therefore, the answer is option (a) Inconsistent.