Linear Algebra and Its Applications (5th Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 032198238X
ISBN 13: 978-0-32198-238-4

Chapter 1 - Linear Equations in Linear Algebra - 1.2 Exercises - Page 22: 20

Answer

(a) $h=9$ and $k\ne6$ (b) $h\ne9$ and $k$ can take any value (c) $h=9$ and $k=6$

Work Step by Step

We know we can find how many solutions a system has by looking at the echelon form of the corresponding augmented matrix. The augmented matrix of our system is $$\left[ \begin{array}{ccc} 1 & 3 & 2\\ 3 & h & k \end{array} \right].$$ To convert this to echelon form, we replace row 2 with -3*(row 1)+(row 2), which gives $$\left[ \begin{array}{ccc} 1 & 3 & 2\\ 0 & -9+h & -6+k \end{array} \right].$$ Now we can answer (a), (b), and (c). (a) For the system to have no solutions (i.e., to be inconsistent), the last column of the augmented matrix must be a pivot column. Therefore, we must have $$-9+h=0$$ and $$ -6+k\neq0.$$ Hence, we must have $$h=9$$ and $$k\neq 6$$ Since any value for $k$ other than $6$ will work, we can choose $k=0.$ Then for $h=9$ and $k=0$, the second row of our matrix is [0 0 -6], which corresponds to the equation $0=-6,$ which means the system is inconsistent. (b) For the system to have a unique solution, it must be consistent, which means the last column of the corresponding augmented matrix cannot be a pivot column, and have no free variables. Now, looking at the echelon form of our augmented matrix, we can see the system will not have any free variables if $-9+h \neq0$. Note that if $-9+h\neq 0$ or equivalently $h\neq9$, then the last column is not a pivot column for any value of $k.$ Since we can choose any value other than $9$ for $h$ and any value for $k$, we choose $h=0$ and $k=0.$ Then our matrix becomes $$\left[ \begin{array}{ccc} 1 & 3 & 2\\ 0 & -9 & -6 \end{array} \right],$$ which corresponds to the system $$x_1+3x_2=2\\ -9x_2=-6.$$ Solving for $x_1$ and $x_2$, we get $(x_1, x_2)=(0,x_2=\frac{2}{3})$ as our unique solution. (c) For the system to have many solutions, it must be consistent and have a free variable. Looking again at the echelon form of our matrix, we see the system will have a free variable if $-9+h=0$, or equivalently $h=9$. Now if $h=9$, then in order for the system to be consistent (i.e., in order for the last column of our matrix not to be a pivot column), we must have $-6+k=0$, or equivalently $k=6$. So for $h=9$ and $k=6$ our matrix becomes $$\left[ \begin{array}{ccc} 1 & 3 & 2\\ 0 & 0 & 0 \end{array} \right],$$ which means our system is consistent and has infinitely many solutions.
Update this answer!

You can help us out by revising, improving and updating this answer.

Update this answer

After you claim an answer you’ll have 24 hours to send in a draft. An editor will review the submission and either publish your submission or provide feedback.