The system of linear equations x + y + z = 6 2x + 5y + az = 36 x + 2y + 3z = b has :
- unique solution for a = 8 and b = 16
- infinitely many solutions for a = 8 and b = 14
- infinitely many solutions for a = 8 and b = 16
- unique solution for a = 8 and b = 14
Answer
(2) infinitely many solutions for a = 8 and b = 14
Solution
= vmatrix 1 & 1 & 1 \ 2 & 5 & a \ 1 & 2 & 3 vmatrix = 1(15 - 2a) - 1(6 - a) + 1(4 - 5) = 8 - a
a = 8 = 0 no unique solution (options (1) and (4) are wrong).
With a = 8: 13(x + y + z) + 13(2x + 5y + 8z) = x + 2y + 3z
So the third equation is consistent only if b = 13(6) + 13(36) = 14
a = 8, b = 14 infinitely many solutions; a = 8, b = 16 no solution.
Answer: (2)