Chapter 1: Problem 3
In each of the following systems, interpret each equation as a line in the plane. For each system, graph the lines and determine geometrically the number of solutions. (a) $$\begin{array}{l} x_{1}+x_{2}=4 \\ x_{1}-x_{2}=2 \end{array}$$ (b) $$\begin{array}{r} x_{1}+2 x_{2}=4 \\ -2 x_{1}-4 x_{2}=4 \end{array}$$ (c) $$\begin{array}{r} 2 x_{1}-x_{2}=3 \\ -4 x_{1}+2 x_{2}=-6 \end{array}$$ (d) $$\begin{aligned} x_{1}+x_{2} &=1 \\ x_{1}-x_{2} &=1 \\ -x_{1}+3 x_{2} &=3 \end{aligned}$$
Short Answer
Step by step solution
Rewrite in slope-intercept form
Identify the slope and y-intercept
Graph the lines and analyze their relationship
Determine the number of solutions
Rewrite in slope-intercept form
Identify the slope and y-intercept
Graph the lines and analyze their relationship
Determine the number of solutions
Rewrite in slope-intercept form
Identify the slope and y-intercept
Graph the lines and analyze their relationship
Determine the number of solutions
Rewrite in slope-intercept form
Identify the slope and y-intercept
Graph the lines and analyze their relationship
Determine the number of solutions
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Graphical Interpretation
An intersection point signifies a possible solution shared by the equations.
- If all lines intersect at a single point, the system has one solution, called a unique solution.
- If the lines coincide completely, the system has infinitely many solutions.
- If lines are parallel and never meet, the system has no solution.
Slope-Intercept Form
The slope \( m \) indicates the steepness and direction of the line. A positive slope means the line ascends from left to right, while a negative slope descends.
- When converting a standard form equation to slope-intercept form, it becomes easier to plot the line.
- Comparing equations in slope-intercept form helps quickly identify if lines are parallel or intersecting.
Unique Solution
To have a unique solution, two distinct lines must not be parallel. Instead, they should intersect, meaning they share exactly one coordinate pair that makes each equation true.
- This solution is important in many practical applications, like finding the intersection of costs vs. revenue in economics.
- Graphically, a unique solution appears as the intersection point of two non-parallel lines.
Parallel Lines
Analyzing parallel lines helps us understand systems of equations that have no solution. This is because parallel lines can't have a common intersection point.
- If equations in a system have identical slopes, they are parallel and won't meet.
- Graphically, these lines will appear to have uniform distance across the graph, just sliding along the plane.