Consider the given system of linear equations for variables \(x\) and \(y\),…
2025
Consider the given system of linear equations for variables \(x\) and \(y\), where \(k\) is a real-valued constant. Which of the following option(s) is/are CORRECT?
\(𝑥 + 𝑘𝑦 = 1 \\
𝑘𝑥 + 𝑦 = −1\)
- A.
There is exactly one value of 𝑘 for which the above system of equations has no solution.
- B.
There exist an infinite number of values of 𝑘 for which the system of equations has no solution.
- C.
There exists exactly one value of 𝑘 for which the system of equations has exactly one solution.
- D.
There exists exactly one value of 𝑘 for which the system of equations has an infinite number of solutions.
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Correct answer: A, D
Compute the determinant of the coefficient matrix to classify the system.
Determinant = 1 - k^2. If this determinant is nonzero (k ≠ ±1) the system has a unique solution; if it is zero (k = ±1) investigate consistency.
Case k = 1: The equations become x + y = 1 and x + y = -1. These are inconsistent (they assert two different values for x + y), so there is no solution.
Case k = -1: The equations become x - y = 1 and -x + y = -1. The second equation is just −1 times the first, so the two equations are dependent and the system has infinitely many solutions (one free parameter). For example, set y = t, then x = 1 + t.
Case k ≠ ±1: The determinant is nonzero, so the system has exactly one solution. Using Cramer's rule gives x = 1/(1 - k) and y = -1/(1 - k), which are well defined for k ≠ ±1.
Conclusion: The system has no solution only at k = 1; it has infinitely many solutions only at k = -1; and it has a unique solution for every other real k. Therefore the correct statements are those that assert exactly one value of k gives no solution (k = 1) and exactly one value of k gives infinitely many solutions (k = -1).
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