asked 184k views
23 votes
How many solutions does the system formed by x-y=6 and ay-ax+6a=0 have for a nonzero number a? Explain.

asked
User Kalatabe
by
8.1k points

1 Answer

9 votes

Answer: infinitely many

Explanation:

Just rearrange the second equation:

a(y - x + 6) = 0

y - x + 6 = 0

y - x = -6

x - y = 6

You have two equations that are identical. The number of (x,y) pairs satisfying "both" equations is just the number of pairs satisfying the first one. (Think about it, satisfying one is satisfying both.)

There are infinitely many (x,y) pairs satisfying x - y = 6, so answer is "infinitely many solutions."

answered
User Gamrix
by
7.6k points
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