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For what value of z would the following system of

equations be true for all real integers?
3x-2y = 14
-12x+8y = 8z

2 Answers

0 votes

Answer:

z = -7 is the answer.

Explanation:

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User Darshan Gowda
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3 votes

9514 1404 393

Answer:

z = -7

Explanation:

The equations will be true for all real integers when they are a dependent set. That will be the case when the second equation is a multiple of the first.

Already, we observe that the ratios of x- and y-coefficients are -4:

-12/3 = -4

8/-2 = -4

The equations will be dependent when the constants have that same ratio:

8z/14 = -4 . . . . desired ratio

8z = -56 . . . . . multiply by 14

z = -7 . . . . makes the equations true for all real numbers

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Comment on the question

The system of equations can be made inconsistent (no solutions) or consistent & dependent (infinite solutions) by the choice of z.

However, integer solutions are limited to pairs of the form (2n+2, 3n-4) for integer values of n. The values of x and y are not "all real integers".

Consequently, we have interpreted the question to be asking for the value of z that will make the system of equations have an infinite number of solutions, including both rational and irrational, real and complex values of x and y. They cannot be made to be true for "all real integers" by any choice of z.

User Khristos
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4.8k points