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Question

Let $A=\begin{bmatrix} 1 & 1 & 1 \\ -1 & -1 & -1 \\ 0 & 1 & -1 \end{bmatrix}$ and $b = \begin{bmatrix} 1/3 \\ -1/3 \\ 0 \end{bmatrix}$, then the system of linear equations $Ax = b$ has

The correct answer is
infinitely many solutions

Determining the Number of Solutions for Ax = b

We are given the system of linear equations represented by $Ax = b$, where:

$A = \begin{bmatrix} 1 & 1 & 1 \\ -1 & -1 & -1 \\ 0 & 1 & -1 \end{bmatrix}$ and $b = \begin{bmatrix} 1/3 \\ -1/3 \\ 0 \end{bmatrix}$.

To find the number of solutions, we analyze the ranks of the coefficient matrix $A$ and the augmented matrix $[A|b]$.

Calculating the Rank of Matrix A

First, find the determinant of $A$ to check for a unique solution:

$ \det(A) = 1 \begin{vmatrix} -1 & -1 \\ 1 & -1 \end{vmatrix} - 1 \begin{vmatrix} -1 & -1 \\ 0 & -1 \end{vmatrix} + 1 \begin{vmatrix} -1 & -1 \\ 0 & 1 \end{vmatrix} $ $ \det(A) = 1((-1)(-1) - (-1)(1)) - 1((-1)(-1) - (-1)(0)) + 1((-1)(1) - (-1)(0)) $ $ \det(A) = 1(1 + 1) - 1(1 - 0) + 1(-1 - 0) $ $ \det(A) = 2 - 1 - 1 = 0 $

Since $\det(A) = 0$, the system does not have a unique solution.

Now, let's find the rank of $A$ using row reduction:

$A = \begin{bmatrix} 1 & 1 & 1 \\ -1 & -1 & -1 \\ 0 & 1 & -1 \end{bmatrix} \xrightarrow{R_2 \leftarrow R_2 + R_1} \begin{bmatrix} 1 & 1 & 1 \\ 0 & 0 & 0 \\ 0 & 1 & -1 \end{bmatrix} \xrightarrow{R_2 \leftrightarrow R_3} \begin{bmatrix} 1 & 1 & 1 \\ 0 & 1 & -1 \\ 0 & 0 & 0 \end{bmatrix}$

The row echelon form has 2 non-zero rows. Thus, rank(A) = 2.

Calculating the Rank of the Augmented Matrix [A|b]

Form the augmented matrix $[A|b]$:

$ [A|b] = \begin{bmatrix} 1 & 1 & 1 & | & 1/3 \\ -1 & -1 & -1 & | & -1/3 \\ 0 & 1 & -1 & | & 0 \end{bmatrix} $

Perform row reduction:

$ [A|b] \xrightarrow{R_2 \leftarrow R_2 + R_1} \begin{bmatrix} 1 & 1 & 1 & | & 1/3 \\ 0 & 0 & 0 & | & 0 \\ 0 & 1 & -1 & | & 0 \end{bmatrix} \xrightarrow{R_2 \leftrightarrow R_3} \begin{bmatrix} 1 & 1 & 1 & | & 1/3 \\ 0 & 1 & -1 & | & 0 \\ 0 & 0 & 0 & | & 0 \end{bmatrix} $

The row echelon form has 2 non-zero rows. Thus, rank([A|b]) = 2.

Conclusion on the Number of Solutions

Compare the ranks:

  • rank(A) = 2
  • rank([A|b]) = 2

The number of variables ($n$) in the system is 3.

Since rank(A) = rank([A|b]) < n (specifically, 2 < 3), the system has infinitely many solutions.

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Important Questions from System of Linear Equations

  1. Let $ \mathbf{A} = \begin{bmatrix} 1 & 1 \\ 1 & 3 \\ -2 & -3 \end{bmatrix} $ and $ \mathbf{b} = \begin{bmatrix} b_1 \\ b_2 \\ b_3 \end{bmatrix} $. For $ \mathbf{Ax} = \mathbf{b} $ to be solvable, which one of the following options is the correct condition on $ b_1, b_2 $ and $ b_3 $:
  2. The nine numbers x1, x2, x3 ... x9, are in ascending order. Their average m is strictly greater than all the first eight numbers. Which of the following is true?

  3. For what value of k, the system linear equation has no solution

    (3k + 1)x + 3y - 2 = 0

    (k2 + 1)x + (k - 2)y - 5 = 0

  4. A system of equations is said to be inconsistent if

  5. A (-3, 4), B (5, 4), C and D form a rectangle. If x - 4y + 7 = 0 is a diameter of circum circle of the rectangle ABCD then area of rectangle ABCD is

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