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Systems of two linear equations in two variables SAT question
Math · Algebra · Hard · Answer it here, explanation included.
In the given system of equations, is a constant. If the system has no solution, what is the value of ?
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ExplanationShow
The correct answer is . The given system of equations can be solved using the elimination method. Multiplying both sides of the second equation in the given system by yields , or . Adding this equation to the first equation in the given system, , yields , or . Subtracting from both sides of this equation yields , or . If the given system has no solution, then the equation has no solution. If this equation has no solution, the coefficients of on each side of the equation, and , must be equal, which yields the equation . Dividing both sides of this equation by yields . Thus, if the system has no solution, the value of is .
Alternate approach: A system of two linear equations in two variables, and , has no solution if the lines represented by the equations in the xy-plane are parallel and distinct. Lines represented by equations in the form , where , , and are constant terms, are parallel if the ratio of the x-coefficients is equal to the ratio of the y-coefficients, and distinct if the ratio of the x-coefficients are not equal to the ratio of the constant terms. Subtracting from both sides of the first equation in the given system yields , or . Subtracting from both sides of the second equation in the given system yields , or . The ratio of the x-coefficients for these equations is , or . The ratio of the y-coefficients for these equations is . The ratio of the constant terms for these equations is , or . Since the ratio of the x-coefficients, , is not equal to the ratio of the constants, , the lines represented by the equations are distinct. Setting the ratio of the x-coefficients equal to the ratio of the y-coefficients yields . Multiplying both sides of this equation by yields , or . Therefore, when , the lines represented by these equations are parallel. Thus, if the system has no solution, the value of is .
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