Consider the system of linear equations in x, y, z : x+2y+tz=0 6x+y+5tz=0 3x+t2y+f(t)z=0 where f : R R is a differentiable function. If this system has infinitely many solutions for all t R, then f
- is a constant function
- is strictly increasing on R
- is strictly decreasing on R
- has two critical points
Answer
(2) is strictly increasing on R
Solution
The system is homogeneous, it has infinitely many solutions iff =0.
= vmatrix1 & 2 & t\ 6 & 1 & 5t\ 3 & t2 & f(t) vmatrix=0
1 (f(t)-5t3 )-2 (6f(t)-15t )+t (6t2-3 )=0
-11f(t)+t3+27t=0
f(t)= t3+27t11
f'(t)= 3t2+2711>0 for every t R (no critical point)
f is strictly increasing on R.
Answer: (2)