Chapter 17 System of Linear Equations

Teaching Examples

(17A001)
Teaching Example 17.1
x  3 y  3  0
Solve  by the method of inverse matrix.
x  2 y  7  0

(17A002)
Teaching Example 17.2

2 y  y  z  4

Solve  x  3 y  z  6 by the method of inverse matrix.
3 x  y  z  4


(17A003)
Teaching Example 17.3
Determine whether each of the following systems of linear equations has a unique solution.

2 x  y  3 z  2 3 x  2 y  z  10
 
(a) 5 x  2 y  z  0 (b) 4 x  y  5 z  6
4 x  y  2 z  3  x  3 y  4 z  4
 

(17A004)
Teaching Example 17.4
Find the possible values of a such that the system of linear equations

ax  y  z  9

2 x  ay  1
 x  az  4


has a unique solution.

P. 1
(17A005)
Teaching Example 17.5
Solve the following systems of linear equations by Cramer’s Rule.

 x  2 y  3z  3
4 x  3 y  18 
(a)  (b) 2 x  y  z  4
3x  2 y  5 3 x  y  z  6


(17A006)
Teaching Example 17.6
Consider the system of linear equations in x, y and z.

x  y  z  2

(E)  x  2 y  kz  2 , where k is a real number.
 x  ky  k 2 z  2


If k 1, solve (E) by Cramer’s Rule.

(17A007)
Teaching Example 17.7

2 x  y  4 z  7

Solve  x  y  z  8 by Gaussian elimination.
2 x  5 y  z  6


(17A008)
Teaching Example 17.8
Determine the number of solutions of the following systems of linear equations.

x  2 y  z  9 2 x  y  z  2
 
(a) 3x  y  2 z  7 (b)  x  3 y  2 z  9
4 x  3 y  z  10  x  4 y  3z  7
 

P. 2
(17A009)
Teaching Example 17.9

3x  2 y  2 z  3

(a) Solve  x  4 y  3z  3 .
4 x  6 y  z  0


(b) Hence, determine whether the following system is consistent:

3 x  2 y  2 z  3
 x  4 y  3z  3


4 x  6 y  z  0
2 x  5 y  z  5

(17A010)
Teaching Example 17.10
Consider the system of linear equations in x, y and z.

x  y  z  4

 x  ky  z  3
4 x  y  kz  9


(a) Find the range of k such that the system has a unique solution.
(b) Discuss the consistency of the system when
(i) k  1, (ii) k  2,

(17A011)
Teaching Example 17.11
Consider the following system of linear equations in x, y and z.

x  2 y  z  p

(E) 3x  y  2 z  q , where p, q and r are real numbers.
x  3 y  r


(a) Find the relations between p, q and r such that (E) is consistent.
(b) If (E) is consistent, find the values of x, y and z.

P. 3
(17A012)
Teaching Example 17.12
Consider the system of linear equations in x, y and z:

 x  y  3z  q  0

(E) 5 x  4 y  pz  1  0 , where p and q are real numbers
7 x  6 y  5 z  2  0


(a) Find the values of p and q such that (E) has infinitely many solutions.
(b) Solve (E) for the values of p and q in (a).

(17A013)
Teaching Example 17.13
Consider the following system of homogeneous linear equations:

x  3 y  5z  0

3 x  2 y  8 z  0
2 x  y  3 z  0


(a) Show that the system has non-trivial solutions.

(b) Find the non-trivial solutions of the system.

(17A014)
Teaching Example 17.14
Consider the following system of homogeneous linear equations in x, y and z:

 x  ky  5 z  0

3x  y  z  0 , where k is a real number
5 x  y  kz  0


(a) Find the values of k such that the system has non-trivial solutions.
(b) For the smaller value of k in (a), find the non-trivial solutions.

(17A015)
Teaching Example 17.4(Extra)
Find a relation between a and b such that the system of linear equations

2ax  by  az  1

2ax  bz  2
ay  bz  3

has a unique solution.

P. 4
(17A016)
Teaching Example 17.5(Extra)
Solve the following systems of linear equations by Cramer’s Rule.
(a) y 6x = 3x 7y = 15
x  y  z  2
(b) 
2 x  z  6  3x  2 y  13

(17A017)
Teaching Example 17.12(Extra)
Consider the system of linear equations in x, y and z.

 x  py  z  4

(E) 11x  3 y  z  4 , where p and q are real numbers
4 x  2 y  z  q


(a) Find the values of p such that the system has unique solution.
(b) Find the condition of p and q such that the system has
(i) no solution,
(ii) infinitely many solutions.

(17A018)
Teaching Example 17.14(Extra)
Consider the following system of homogeneous linear equations in x, y and z:

 x  y  (2   ) z  0

(   3) y  z  0 , where  is a real number.
(   1) x  2 y  z  0


(a) Find the values of  such that the system has non-trivial solutions.
(b) Find the negative value of , find the non-trivial solutions of the system.

P. 5
 Basic Questions

§17.2 Method of Inverse Matrix

(17B001)
 x  2y  4
Solve  by using the method of inverse matrix.
2 x  5 y  9

(17B002)
5 x  3 y  10
Solve  by using the method of inverse matrix.
 2x  y  4

(17B003)
2x  2 y  1
Solve  by using the method of inverse matrix.
2 x  3 y  4

(17B004)
 3x  4 y  1
Solve  by using the method of inverse matrix.
5 x  6 y  5

(17B005)

x  y  2

Solve  y  z  4 by using the method of inverse matrix.
x  z  6


(17B006)

x  2 y  3

Solve 3 y  z  2 by using the method of inverse matrix.
2 x  y  z  2


(17B007)

x  y  z  0

Solve 3x  2 y  3z  1 by using the method of inverse matrix.
x  y  0


P. 6
(17B008)

 x  3y  z  5

Solve  x  y  4 z  2 by using the method of inverse matrix.
3x  7 y  5 z  1


(17B009)

7 x  2 y  6 z  1

Solve  x  y  z  13 by using the method of inverse matrix.
 5x  y  4 z  5


(17B010)
Determine whether each of the following systems of linear equations has a unique solution or not.

x  y  3
2 x  3 y  4 
(a)  (b) 2 x  y  3z  2
4 x  6 y  9 2 x  5 z  1


(17B011)
Determine whether each of the following systems of linear equations has a unique solution or not.

 x  y  5 z  1
 x  7 y  12 
(a)  (b) 3x  4 y  z  2
 3x  8 y  10 2 y  3z  1


(17B012)
Find the values of a such that each of the following systems of linear equations in x, y and z has a
unique solution.

x  2 y  z  3
 2x  y  3 
(a)  (b) 2 x  3 y  1
ax  3 y  1 ax  3 z  0


P. 7
(17B013)
Find the values of k such that each of the following systems of linear equations in x, y and z does not
have a unique solution.

 3x  2 y  z  1
 6 x  ky  6 
(a)  (b) 4 x  y  2 z  3
2 x  3 y  2  x  ky  7 z  4


§17.3 Cramer’s Rule

(17B014)
x  y  8
Solve  by using Cramer’s rule.
x  y  2

(17B015)
2 x  y  9
Solve  by using Cramer’s rule.
 x y 3

(17B016)
2 x  3 y  0
Solve  by using Cramer’s rule.
 3x  5 y  1

(17B017)
3x  2 y  4
Solve  by using Cramer’s rule.
7 x  5 y  8

(17B018)

x  y  2z  4

Solve  y  z  4 by using Cramer’s rule.
x  y  z  2


(17B019)

 x  y  3z  0

Solve  x  y  2 z  2 by using Cramer’s rule.
4 x  z  4


P. 8
(17B020)

 x  y  2 z  2

Solve  y  4 z  3 by using Cramer’s rule.
x  2 y  z  0


(17B021)

 y  2 z  1

Solve 2 x  z  2 by using Cramer’s rule.
 x  y  3


(17B022)

x  2 y  z  2

Solve  y  3z  3 by using Cramer’s rule.
2 x  5 y  z  5


(17B023)

x  2z  6

Solve  x  2 y  z  3 by using Cramer’s rule.
2 x  y  8


(17B024)

3 x  2 y  2 z  1

Solve  y  z  2 by using Cramer’s rule.
2 x  y  z  1


(17B025)

2 x  2 y  z  1

Solve  x  4 y  z  13 by using Cramer’s rule.
 3x  y  2 z  5


P. 9
(17B026)

 x  2y  3

Solve 2 y  3 z  1 by using Cramer’s rule.
 3x  z  6


(17B027)

 x  3 y  z  3

Solve 4 x  z  6 by using Cramer’s rule.
 x  2 y  3 z  11


§17.4 Gaussian Elimination

(17B028)
 x  2y  9
Solve  by Gaussian elimination.
 x  4 y  15

(17B029)
 x  y 1
Solve  by Gaussian elimination.
2 x  y  5

(17B030)
 x  3y  5
Solve  by Gaussian elimination.
2 x  6 y  10

(17B031)
 x  4y  7
Solve  by Gaussian elimination.
2 x  8 y  11

(17B032)

x  y  z  1

Solve  x  2 z  4 by Gaussian elimination.
 y  2 z  2


P. 10
(17B033)

x  2 y  z  4

Solve  x  2 y  z  0 by Gaussian elimination.
x  2z  2


(17B034)

 x  2 y  3z  7

Solve  x  y  z  3 by Gaussian elimination.
x  3 y  2z  7


(17B035)

x  2 y  1

Solve 2 x  y  z  8 by Gaussian elimination.
3x  y  2 z  5


(17B036)

 2x  3y  z  1

Solve  x  2 y  z  2 by Gaussian elimination.
 2 x  y  z  11


(17B037)

2 x  3 y  z  9

Solve  x  y  3z  2 by Gaussian elimination.
2 x  7 y  11z  1


(17B038)

 x  3y  z  4

Solve 2 x  5 y  2 z  10 by Gaussian elimination.
 2x  7 y  6z  8


P. 11
(17B039)

x  2 y  z  1

Solve  x  5 y  3z  10 by Gaussian elimination.
3x  z  21


(17B040)

3x  y  3 z  3

Solve  x  2 y  2 z  0 by Gaussian elimination.
 x  8 y  4z  5


(17B041)
Determine the number of solutions of the following systems of linear equations.

x  y  2z  0
 x  2 y  1 
(a)  (b) 3 x  y  2
 3x  6 y  3 2 x  z  1


(17B042)
Determine the number of solutions of the following systems of linear equations.

x  3 y  2z  4
 x  12 y  8 
(a)  (b) 2 x  5 y  z  3
 2 x  24 y  16  4x  9 y  z  1


(17B043)
Determine whether each of the following systems of linear equations is consistent or not. If the
system is consistent, find the solution.

4 x  3 y  2 z  1
 2 x  4 y  8 
(a)  (b)  x  2 y  3z  4
 x  2 y  4 3x  4 y  11z  2


P. 12
(17B044)
Consider the following system of linear equations:

 x  4 y  az  2

2 x  y  z  3 , where a is a real number
7 y  5 z  4


Using Gaussian elimination, find the values of a such that the system has a unique solution.

(17B045)
Consider the following system of linear equations:

4 x  y  2 z  7

2 x  y  6 z  1 , where k is a real number
 x  y  kz  3


Using Gaussian elimination, find the value of k such that the system does not have a unique solution.

(17B046)
Consider the following system of linear equations:

 3x  2 y  z  6

 x  4 y  3z  2 , where b is a real number
 x  3 y  2z  b


Using Gaussian elimination, find the value of b such that the system is consistent.

§17.5 System of Homogeneous Linear Equations

(17B047)
Determine whether each of the following systems of linear equations has only trivial solution or
non-trivial solutions.

y  z  0
3x  2 y  0 
(a)  (b) 3x  2 y  0
2 x  y  0 2 x  3 y  z  0


P. 13
(17B048)
Determine whether each of the following systems of linear equations has only trivial solution or
non-trivial solutions.

2 x  3 y  2 z  0
10 x  2 y  0 
(a)  (b)  x  y  4 z  0
 5 x  y  0 x  2z  0


(17B049)
Determine whether each of the following systems of linear equations has only trivial solution or
non-trivial solutions.

5 x  2 y  z  0
11x  3 y  0 
(a)  (b) 4 x  2 y  z  0
14 x  5 y  0 x  3 y  4z  0


(17B050)

x  4z  0

Solve the system of homogeneous linear equations 3 x  2 y  0 .
 y  6z  0


(17B051)

x  5 y  0

Solve the system of homogeneous linear equations 2 x  12 y  z  0 .
x  3 y  z  0


(17B052)

x  y  5z  0

Solve the system of homogeneous linear equations 2 x  y  z  0 .
4 x  5 y  7 z  0


P. 14
(17B053)

x  y  z  0

Solve the system of homogeneous linear equations  x  y  2 z  0 .
6 x  4 y  3z  0


(17B054)

x  2 y  2z  0

Solve the system of homogeneous linear equations 3 x  y  8 z  0 .
2 x  3 y  10 z  0


(17B055)

2 x  5 y  16 z  0

Solve the system of homogeneous linear equations  x  3 y  3z  0 .
x  y  5z  0


(17B056)
5 x  2 y  0
Find the value(s) of a such that the system of homogeneous linear equations  has only
2 x  ay  0
trivial solution.

(17B057)

mx  3 y  0
Find the values of m and n such that the system of homogeneous linear equations 
x  y  9  n
2

has only trivial solution.

(17B058)
(k  3) x  ky  0
Show that for all real values of k, the system of homogeneous linear equations 
(k  1) x  y  0
has only trivial solution.

P. 15
(17B059)
In each of the following systems of homogeneous linear equations, a is a real number. Find the
value(s) of a such that the system has non-trivial solutions.

2 x  y  3 z  0
ax  3 y  0 
(a)  (b) 3x  y  2 z  0
(a  1) x  y  0 ax  2 y  7 z  0


(17B060)
In each of the following systems of homogeneous linear equations, a is a real number. Find the
value(s) of a such that the system has non-trivial solutions.

x  y  z  0
(a  1) x  6ay  0 
(a)  (b) 3x  ay  3z  0
ax  3 y  0 ax  y  2 z  0


(17B061)
In each of the following systems of homogeneous linear equations, a is a real number. Find the
value(s) of a such that the system has non-trivial solutions.

ax  y  2 z  0
a3 x  (4a  3) y  0 
(a)  (b) 4 x  3 y  5 z  0
ax  3 y  0 ax  y  az  0


P. 16
 Section A Questions

§17.2 Method of Inverse Matrix

(17C001)
x  y  5  x
Solve  by using the method of inverse matrix.
5 x  6 y  12  3 y

(17C002)
 x  5 y  7  2x  3 y
Solve  by using the method of inverse matrix.
2 x  5 y  5  x  4 y

(17C003)
3 4
x  y  6

Solve  by using the method of inverse matrix.
2 3
   1
 x y

(17C004)
 2 1
 x  1  y 1
5
Solve  by using the method of inverse matrix.
5 4
  7
 x  1 y 1

(17C005)

3x  z  y

Solve 3x  z  x  2 y  z  1 by using the method of inverse matrix.
3x  z  2  2 x  5 y  5 z


(17C006)

 x  y  7  3x  3 y  3z

Solve  y  z  3  x  2 y by using the method of inverse matrix.
 x  z  8  4 x  y  3z


P. 17
(17C007)
 3 3 2
 x 1  
y 1 z 1
6

 2 2 3
Solve     6 by using the method of inverse matrix.
 x  1 y 1 z 1
 1 1 1
    4
 x 1 y 1 z  1

(17C008)

 yz  2 xz  xy  xyz

Solve  yz  4 xz  xy  2 xyz by using the method of inverse matrix.
2 yz  xz  3xy   xyz


(17C009)

 1 1 1  7 1 2
   
Let A   2 3 1  and B   3 0  1 .
 3 2 3  5  1  1
   

(a) Show that AB  BA  I .

2 x  3 y  z  2

(b) Hence, solve 3x  2 y  3z  6 .
x  y  z  1


(17C010)

 6 6  3 1  3 0
   
Let X   1 2  1  and Y   0 3 1  .
3 3 3  1 0 2
   

(a) Find XY.

x  3 y  0

(b) Hence, solve  x  2 z  5  0 .
3 y  z  2  0


P. 18
(17C011)

2 1 0 
 
(a) Let A   1 1 1  , where a is a constant.
 a 1  2
 

(i) Find the values of a such that A is non-singular.

(ii) Find A1 in terms of a.
(b) Consider the system of linear equations in x, y and z:

x  y  z  a

(E) ax  y  2 z  0 , where a is a constant
2 x  y  1


From the result of (a), solve (E) by the method of inverse matrix.

(17C012)

 1 1 1 
 
(a) Let H   k  4 k  , where k is a constant.
1 1 0
 

(i) Find the values of k such that H is non-singular.

(ii) Find H 1 in terms of k.
(b) Consider the system of linear equations in x, y and z:

 x  y  3

(E)  x  y  z  4 , where k is a constant
kx  4 y  kz  16


From the result of (a), solve (E) by the method of inverse matrix.

(17C013)

1 1 a 
 
(a) Let A   3 a  1 , where a is a constant.
0 1 a 
 

(i) Show that A is non-singular for all real values of a.

(ii) Find A1 in terms of a.
(b) Consider the system of linear equations in x, y and z:

P. 19
  y  az  0

(E) 3x  ay  z  a 2  4 , where a is a constant
 x  y  az  1

From the result of (a), solve (E) by the method of inverse matrix.

(17C014)
(a) If A is a non-singular matrix, prove that ( AT ) 1  ( A1 ) T .

 1 0  1
 
(b) Let M   3  1  1 .
 0 1  1
 

(i) Find M 1 .

x  3 y  1

(ii) Hence, solve  z  y  2 by using the method of inverse matrix.
x  y  z  3


§17.3 Cramer’s Rule

(17C015)
3x  4 y  3  x  5 y  6
Solve  by using Cramer’s rule.
6 y  20  2 y  5 x  1

(17C016)
4 3
 x  y  25
Solve  by using Cramer’s rule.
3 4
  0
 x y

(17C017)
x  y  a
Solve  , where a  3 , by using Cramer’s rule.
3x  ay  2

(17C018)
ax  by  1
Solve  , where a and b are non-zero constants, by using Cramer’s rule.
bx  ay  0

P. 20
(17C019)

2 x  y  z  9  x  4 y  2 z

Solve  x  2 y  z  1  x  5 y  z by using Cramer’s rule.
x  y  2z  1  4x  y  2z


(17C020)

2 x  2 y  2 z  y  z

Solve 3x  3 y  3z  2  x  4 y  6 z by using Cramer’s rule.
4 x  4 y  4 z  4  x  6 y  2 z


(17C021)
2 1
x  y  5

1 1 1
Solve     0 by using Cramer’s rule.
x y z
5 3 5
    2
x y z

(17C022)
 1 3
 x  1  y  1  5

 3 1
Solve    10 by using Cramer’s rule.
 y  1 z  2
 1 2
  6
 x 1 z  2

(17C023)

ax  ay  z  1
 1
Solve ax  y  az  1 , where a is any real constant except  and 1 , by using Cramer’s rule.
 x  ay  az  1 2


P. 21
(17C024)

(a  b) x  by  az  1

Solve ax  (a  b) y  bz  1 , where a and b are distinct and non-zero constants, by using Cramer’s
bx  ay  (a  b) z  1


rule.

(17C025)
Consider the system of linear equations in x and y:
(a  2) x  8 y  1  0

 1 , where a is a real number
ax  (a  2) y  2  0
(a) Find the range of values of a such that the system has a unique solution.
(b) If the system has a unique solution, solve the system by Cramer’s rule and express the solution
in terms of a.

(17C026)
Consider the system of linear equations in x and y:


(1  k ) x  5 y  k
2

 2 , where k is a real number


(k  1) x  k y  5k
2

(a) Show that the system has a unique solution for all real values of k.
(b) Solve the system by Cramer’s rule and express the solution in terms of k.

(17C027)
Consider the system of linear equations in x and y:
 x  ny  1  m
 , where m and n are any real numbers and mn  0
 x  my  n  1
(a) Show that the system has a unique solution.
(b) Solve the system by Cramer’s rule and express the solution in terms of m and n.

(17C028)
Consider the system of linear equations in x, y and z:

ax  3 y  4 z  2

 x  2 y  z  7 , where a is a real number
3x  y  3 z  1


(a) Find the range of values of a such that the system has a unique solution.

P. 22
(b) If the system has a unique solution, solve the system by Cramer’s rule and express the solution
in terms of a.

(17C029)
Consider the system of linear equations in x, y and z:

ax  2 y  z  0

 x  y  2 z  a , where a is a real number
 y  az  a


(a) Find the range of values of a such that the system has a unique solution.
(b) If the system has a unique solution, solve the system by Cramer’s rule and express the solution
in terms of a.

§17.4 Gaussian Elimination

(17C030)
Solve 7 x  8 y  5  5x  17  3x  y  2 by Gaussian elimination.

(17C031)
12 x  y  10  3x  7 y  40
Solve  by Gaussian elimination.
5 x  4 y  5  2 x  2 y  5

(17C032)
5 3
 x  y  15

Solve  by Gaussian elimination.
15 9
   45
 x y

(17C033)

 x  2 y  3z  5  2 x  3 y  2 z

Solve  y  z  2 x  2 y  z  1 by Gaussian elimination.
6 x  z  2 x  y  z  3


P. 23
(17C034)
 7 5 17
 x  y  z  10

1 3 5
Solve     6 by Gaussian elimination.
 x y z
4 1 6
    2
x y z

(17C035)
 1 3 4
 x 1  y  2  z  3  6

 3 2 1
Solve     2 by Gaussian elimination.
 x  1 y  2 z  3
 5 4 7
    14
 x 1 y  2 z  3

(17C036)
Consider the system of linear equations in x, y and z:

5 x  4 y  2 z  6

(E) 3x  3 y  az  b , where a and b are real numbers
x  y  5z  2


(a) Show that (E) has a unique solution when a  3 .

(b) When a = 3, find the value of b such that (E) is consistent. Hence, solve (E).

(17C037)
Consider the system of linear equations in x, y and z:

2 x  y  2 z  4

(E) 3x  2 y  z  n , where m and n are real numbers
4 x  3my  12 z  m


(a) Show that (E) has a unique solution when m  4 .

(b) When m = 4, find the value of n such that (E) is consistent. Hence, solve (E).

P. 24
(17C038)
Consider the system of linear equations in x, y and z:

x  8 y  4z  7

2 x  ay  10 z  4 , where a and b are real numbers
4 x  14 y  2 z  b


(a) Find the values of a and b such that the system has infinitely many solutions.
(b) Hence, solve the system of linear equations.

(17C039)
Consider the system of linear equations in x, y and z:

3x  4 y  mz  0

5 x  y  2 z  2 , where m and n are real numbers
2 x  5 y  3 z  n


(a) Find the values of m and n such that the system has infinitely many solutions.
(b) Hence, solve the system of linear equations.

(17C040)
Consider the system of linear equations in x, y and z:

x  3 y  2z  a  b

(E) 2 x  y  4 z  b  c , where a, b and c are real numbers
4 x  5 y  c  a


It is known that (E) has infinitely many solutions.

(a) Show that 3a  b  2c  0 .
(b) Hence, solve (E) in terms of a, b and c.

(17C041)
It is known that the following system of linear equations is consistent.

3x  y  3z  a  b

 x  4 y  2 z  b  2c , where a, b and c are real numbers
4 x  3 y  z  c  3a


(a) Find the relationship among a, b and c.

(b) Hence, solve the system of linear equations.
(17C042)
Consider the system of linear equations in x, y and z:

P. 25
2 x  3 y  z  m  n

4 x  ky  3z  m  n , where k, m and n are real numbers
 x  ky  z  2m  n


If the system is inconsistent, find

(a) the value of k,
(b) the relationship between m and n.

(17C043)
Consider the system of linear equations in x, y and z:

 x  ky  z  3a  b

kx  y  z  b  2c , where k, a, b and c are real numbers
2 x  3 y  z  c  a


Suppose the system is inconsistent.

(a) Find the values of k.
(b) For each value of k in (a), find the relationship among a, b and c.

(17C044)
Consider the system of linear equations in x, y and z:

x  2 y  z  4

(E) 2 x  y  4 z  1 , where m and n are real numbers
2 x  7 y  mz  n


(a) Suppose that m  8 .

(i) Show that (E) has a unique solution.
(ii) Hence, solve (E) in this case.
(b) Suppose that m  8 .
(i) Find the value of n such that (E) is consistent.
(ii) Hence, solve (E) if n equals to the value obtained in (b)(i).

P. 26
(17C045)
Consider the system of linear equations in x, y and z:

 x  ay  az  a

(E) 4 x  3 y  z  0 , where a is a real number
5 x  3 y  z  3


(a) Show that (E) has a unique solution if and only if a  1 . Hence, solve (E) in this case.
(b) Solve (E) if a = 1.

(17C046)
Consider the system of linear equations in x, y and z:

3x  2 y  4 z  30

(E)  x  4 y  z  3 , where k is a real number
2 x  10 y  3z  3k


(a) (i) Find the value of k such that (E) has infinitely many solutions.
(ii) Hence, solve (E).
3 x  2 y  4 z  30
x  4 y  z  3

(b) If the system of linear equations (S)  is consistent, solve (S).
2 x  10 y  3 z  3k
 x  ky  5 z  11

(17C047)
Consider the system of linear equations in x, y and z:

x  2 y  2z  3

(E) 2 x  y  2 z  m , where m is a real number
2 x  7 y  10 z  m 2

(a) (i) Find the values of m such that (E) is consistent.
(ii) Hence, solve (E) for each value of m found in (a).

x  2 y  2z  3
2 x  y  2 z  m

(b) If the system of linear equations (S)  is consistent, solve (S).
2 x  7 y  10 z  m
2

mx  2 y  m 2 z  0


P. 27
(17C048)

3x  2 y  2 z  1  0

(a) Solve 2 x  y  1  0 .
4 x  y  2 z  2  0


3 x  2 y  2 z  1  0
2 x  y  1  0

(b) Determine whether the system of linear equations (E)  is consistent.
4 x  y  2 z  2  0
2 xy  2 yz  2 zx  1
Hence, solve (E) if it is consistent.

(17C049)

x  7 y  8z  3

(a) Solve 3 x  13 y  12 z  5 .
5 x  7 y  2 z  1


x  7 y  8z  3
3 x  13 y  12 z  5

(b) Determine whether the system of linear equations (E)  is consistent.
5 x  7 y  2 z  1
2 x 2  2 y 2  z 2  11

Hence, solve (E) if it is consistent.

(17C050)
Consider the system of linear equations in x, y and z:

 x  ay  bz  p

(E)  x  a 2 y  b 2 z  q , where a, b, p, q and r are any non-zero real numbers and a  b
 x  a 3 y  b3 z  r

(a) Find the values of a and b such that (E) has a unique solution.
(b) Find the conditions that (E) is inconsistent.

P. 28
(17C051)
Consider the system of linear equations in x, y and z:
x  y  z  1

(E) ax  by  cz  abc , where a, b and c are any non-zero real numbers
a 2 x  b 2 y  c 2 z  a 2b 2c 2

(a) Show that (E) has a unique solution when a, b and c are distinct.
(b) If a = b, find the conditions that (E) has infinitely many solutions.

§17.5 System of Homogeneous Linear Equations

(17C052)
x  5 y  3  3  y  2z

Solve the system of homogeneous linear equations 7 z  6 y  3x .
1  2 x  3 y  4 z  x  y  z  1


(17C053)
3x  4 y  5  5  x  y  3z

Solve the system of homogeneous linear equations 3x  3 y  4 y  5 z .
3x  7 y  8 z  2 x  20 y  17 z


(17C054)
Consider the system of linear equations in x and y:
3x  4( y  h)  1
(E)  , where h and k are real numbers
5 x  k ( y  1)  2
It is known that (E) is homogenous.
(a) Find the values of h and k.
(b) Does (E) have non-trivial solutions? Explain briefly.

(17C055)
Consider the system of linear equations in x and y:

ax  2 y  b  3
(E)  , where a and b are real numbers
6 x  (a  1) y  b  2b  3
2

It is known that (E) is homogenous with non-trivial solutions.

(a) Find the values of a and b.
(b) Hence, solve (E).

P. 29
(17C056)
Consider the system of homogeneous linear equations in x, y and z:

2 x  3 y  6 z  b 2  4

5 x  ay  az  0 , where a and b are real numbers
x  y  z  b  2

(a) Find the values of a and b such that the system has non-trivial solutions.
(b) Hence, solve the system of linear equations.

(17C057)
Consider the system of homogeneous linear equations in x, y and z:

6 x  by  7 z  2a  b

7 x  5 y  z  0 , where a and b are real numbers
4 x  ay  19 z  0


It is known that the system has non-trivial solutions.

(a) Find the values of a and b.
(b) Hence, solve the system of linear equations.

(17C058)
Consider the system of homogeneous linear equations in x, y and z:

2 x  ay  z  0

 x  4 y  2 z  0 , where a is a real number
ax  2 y  4 z  0


(a) Find the values of a such that the system has non-trivial solutions.
(b) Solve the system of linear equations for the values of a obtained in (a).

(17C059)
Consider the system of homogeneous linear equations in x, y and z:

 x  3 y  (k  3) z  0

2 x  4 y  z  0 , where k is a real number
(k  2) x  13 y  12 z  0


(a) Find the values of k such that the system has non-trivial solutions.
(b) Solve the system of linear equations for the values of k obtained in (a).

P. 30
(17C060)
Consider the system of homogeneous linear equations in x, y and z:

x  y  z  0

4 x  2 y  z  0 , where k is a real number
3x  y  kz  0


(a) Find the value of k such that the system has non-trivial solutions.
(b) Solve the system of linear equations for the value of k obtained in (a).

x  y  z  0
4 x  2 y  z  0

(c) Hence, solve  .
3 x  y  kz  0
 x 2  y 2  z 2  54

(17C061)
Consider the system of homogeneous linear equations in x, y and z:

x  4 y  2z  0

ax  y  4 z  0 , where a is a real number
9 x  9 y  8 z  0


(a) Find the value of a such that the system has non-trivial solutions.
(b) Solve the system of linear equations for the value of a obtained in (a).
x  4 y  2z  0
ax  y  4 z  0

(c) Hence, solve  .
 9 x  9 y  8 z  0
 xy  yz  zx  32

(17C062)

 x  2 y  3z  0

(a) Solve the system of homogeneous linear equations 2 x  3 y  z  0 .
3x  y  2 z  0


 x  2 y  3z  0
2 x  3 y  z  0

(b) Determine whether the system of linear equations (E)  is consistent.
 3 x  y  2 z  0
 x  y  z  1  0
Hence, solve (E) if it is consistent.

P. 31
(17C063)

3x  2 y  z  0

(a) Solve the system of homogeneous linear equations 2 x  y  3z  0 .
x  3 y  2z  0


3 x  2 y  z  0
2 x  y  3 z  0

(b) Determine whether the system of linear equations (E)  is consistent.
x  3 y  2z  0
 x 2  y 2  z 2  12

Hence, solve (E) if it is consistent.

(17C064)

4 x  2 y  5 z  0

(a) Solve the system of homogeneous linear equations 3x  y  5 z .
2 y  7 z


8 x  2 y  5 z  0
6 x  y  5 z  0

(b) Determine whether the system of linear equations (E)  is consistent.
2 y  7 z  0
8 xyz  7  0
Hence, solve (E) if it is consistent.

(17C065)

1 1 a 
 
(a) Let A   a 2 a  2  . Find the value(s) of a such that A1 does not exist.
 a a 1 
 

(b) Consider the system of homogeneous linear equations in x, y and z:

 x  y  mz  nz

(E) mx  2 y  (2  n) z  nx  mz , where m and n are real numbers
nx  ny  z  mx  my


It is known that the (E) has non-trivial solutions.

(i) Find the relationship between m and n.
(ii) Hence, solve (E).

P. 32
(17C066)

1 1 1 
 
(a) Let A   1 a  2  . Find the value(s) of a such that A is a singular matrix.
 a 3 1 
 

(b) Solve each of the following systems of linear equations in x, y and z.

x  y  z  0

(i) (E)  x  ky  2 z  k  2 , where k is a real number
kx  3 y  z  k 2  k  2

It is known that (E) does not have a unique solution.

x  y  z  0

(ii) (S)  x  y  2 z  k 2  ( y  3)k  4 , where k is a real number
 x  3 y  z  k 2  ( x  5)k  4

It is known that (S) is homogeneous.

P. 33
 Section B Questions

(17D001)
Consider the system of linear equations in x, y and z:

2 x  (  3) y  z  

(S)  x  2 y  2 z  1 , where is a real number
5 x  4 y  z    1


(a) Show that (S) has a unique solution if and only if   0 and 3 .
(b) Solve (S) for
(i)   0 and 3 ,
(ii)   0 ,
(iii)   3 .
(c) Find the relationship among a, b, c and d such that the system of linear equations
2 x  6 y  z  3
 x  2 y  2 z  1

 is consistent.
 5 x  4 y  3 z  2
ax  by  cz  d

(17D002)
Consider the system of linear equations in x, y and z:

my  2 z  m

(E)  x  y  (m  1) z  m  1 , where m and n are real numbers
x  y  4z  n


(a) (i) Show that (E) has a unique solution if and only if m  4 and 1 .
(ii) Find the unique solution of (E) by Cramer’s rule if n = 0.
(b) In each of the following cases, find the value(s) of n such that (E) is consistent. Hence, solve (E)
in each case.
(i) m  4
(ii) m  1

 y  2 z  1
x  y  2

(c) It is known that (T)  is consistent. Solve (T).
x  y  4z  n
 x 2  y 2  z 2  83

P. 34
(17D003)
Consider the system of linear equations in x, y and z:

x  2 y  z  b

(E) 2 x  (a  2) y  3z  0 , where a and b are real numbers
ax  3 y  4 z  b 2

(a) Assume b = 0.
(i) Show that (E) has non-trivial solutions if and only if (a  4)2  25 .
(ii) Find the solution of (E) if a = 9.
(b) Assume b  0 .
(i) Find the values of a such that (E) has a unique solution. Hence, solve (E).
(ii) Find the value(s) of b such that (E) has no solution.
(c) Determine whether there exists an integral solution of the system of linear equations

 x  2 y  z  1

2 x  y  3z  0 which satisfies the equation  5x  5 y  2 z  11 .
x  3 y  4z  1


(17D004)
Consider the system of linear equations in x, y and z:

2 x  y  k

 x  ky  z  3 , where h and k are real numbers
hx  z  4


It is known that the system has more than one solution.

(a) Find the values of h and k.
(b) Solve the system for the values of h and k in (a).

2 x  y  k
 x  ky  z  3

(c) Hence, solve the system of equations (E)  if (E) is consistent.
hx  z  4
 x 2  y 2  z 2  17

P. 35
(17D005)
Consider the system of linear equations in x, y and z:

x  2 y  z  2

(E) 2 x  (k  1) y  kz  3 , where c and k are real numbers
3x  ky  z  c


(a) (i) Find the range of values of k such that (E) has a unique solution.
(ii) Find the unique solution of (E).
(b) Suppose k = 0.
(i) Find the value(s) of c such that (E) is consistent. Hence, solve (E) for such value(s) of c.
(ii) Find the maximum value of 2 xy  z 2 if (E) is consistent. Hence, find the corresponding
values of x, y and z.
x  2 y  z  2
2 x  2 y  z  3

(c) Determine whether the system of linear equations  is consistent.
 3 x  y  z  6
4 x  y  3 z  7

(17D006)
Consider the system of linear equations in x, y and z:

 x  3 y  az  0

(E) (a  2) x  y  5 z  a 2  4 , where a is a real number
5 x  2 y  3z  a 2  a  2

(a) Suppose that (E) is homogeneous.
(i) Find the value(s) of a.
(ii) Hence, solve (E) for the value(s) of a.
(b) Suppose that (E) is non-homogeneous.
(i) Find the value(s) of a such that (E) has a unique solution.
(ii) Hence, find the unique solution of (E).
(iii) Determine whether (E) is consistent if it does not have unique solution.
1 1 1
(c) Determine whether  ,  ,   is the solution of the system of linear equations
2 2 2

 x  3 y  az  0

(a  2) x  y  5 z  a  4
2

 .
5 x  2 y  3 z  a  a  2
2

2 x  6 y  6 z  7


P. 36
(17D007)

a b c
1
(a) Show that b c a   (a  b  c)[(a  b) 2  (b  c) 2  (c  a) 2 ] .
2
c a b

(b) Consider the system of linear equations in x, y and z:

ax  by  cz  2

(E) bx  cy  az  2 , where a, b and c are positive real numbers
cx  ay  bz  2


(i) Find the relationship among a, b and c such that (E) has a unique solution.
(ii) Solve (E) if a = 1, b = 2 and c = 3.
(c) Consider another system of linear equations in x, y and z:
ax  by  cz  2
bx  cy  az  2

(S)  , where a, b and c are positive real numbers
cx  ay  bz  2
 x  y  z  6
(i) Evaluate a + b + c.
(ii) If a = b = c, solve (S).

(17D008)
(a) Solve the following system of linear equations in x, y and z:
x  y  2z  6
(E) 
 x  2 y  3z  1
(b) Consider the system of linear equations in x, y and z:

x  y  2z  6

(S)  x  2 y  3z  1 , where a and b are real numbers
 x  ay  7 z  b


Using the result of (a), find the values of a and b such that (S) is consistent. Hence, solve (S).
(c) Consider the following system of linear equations in x, y and z:
x  y  2z  6
 x  2 y  3z  1

(T)  . Solve (T) if it is consistent.
 x  ay  7 z  11
 xyz  30

(d) Consider the following system of linear equations in x, y and z:

P. 37
 x  y  2 z  6

x  2 y  3 z  1
(Q)  . Solve (Q) if it is consistent.
 x  7 z  11
2 x  y  z  1


(17D009)

1 1 1 
 
(a) Let A   5  6  7  . Find
3  3  2
 

(i) det A,
(ii) A1 ,
(iii) ( A2 )1 .

x  y  z  0

(b) Using (a), or otherwise, solve the system of linear equations 5 x  6 y  7 z  2  0 .
3x  3 y  2 z  1  0


(c) Consider the system of linear equations in x, y and z:

x  y  z  2

(E) 5 x  6 y  7 z  10
3 x  3 y  2 z  7


It is given that ( ,  ,  ) is the solution of (E) and ,  and  are real numbers. Without

x  y  z  

finding the values of ,  and , solve the system of linear equations (S) 5 x  6 y  7 z   .
3x  3 y  2 z  


(17D010)

 3 2  2
 
(a) Let A   1 2  1  . Find the value(s) of a such that A  aI is a singular matrix.
 1 1 2 
 

(b) Consider the system of linear equations in x, y and z:

P. 38
 3 x  2 y  2 z  ax

(E)  x  2 y  z  ay , where a is a real number
 x  y  2 z  az


It is known that (E) has non-trivial solutions. Solve (E).

(c) Consider the system of linear equations in x, y and z:

3x  2 y  2 z  ax  2

(S)  x  2 y  z  ay  3 , where a is a real number
 x  y  2 z  1  az


It is known that (S) has infinitely many solutions.

(i) Solve (S).
(ii) Consider the following system of linear equations in x, y and z:
3x  2 y  2 z  ax  2

 x  2 y  z  ay  3
(T)  . Solve (T) if it is consistent.
 x  y  2 z  1  a z
x  2 y  z  3


P. 39
 M2V3 Chapter 17 Quiz

System of Linear Equations

Name: ______________________ Class: ____________ ( ) Result: ____________

1  2  4
 
1. (a) Let A   2 4 1  . Find A 1 .
 5 5 1 
 

x  2 y  4z  1

(b) Hence, solve the system of linear equations 2 x  4 y  z  3 .
5 x  5 y  z  9


5 x  2 y  z  4

2. Solve 2 x  y  6 z  2 by using Cramer’s rule.
 x  y  z  1


 x  2 y  3 z  10

3. Solve 3x  2 y  z  14 by Gaussian elimination.
5 x  3 y  z  10


 6 x  3 y  2 z  0

4. Solve the system of linear equations  x  y  z  0 .
 2 x  7 y  4 z  0


2 x  y  z  3

5. Solve the system of linear equations  x  3 y  2 z  3 .
x  8 y  5z  6


6. Consider the system of linear equations in x, y and z:

P. 40
 kx  y  z  k 2  k

(S)  x  ky  z  0 , where k is a real number
 x  y  kz  k  k 2

(a) Find the value(s) of k such that (S) has a unique solution.
(b) Hence, find the unique solution of (S).

7. Consider the system of linear equations in x, y and z:

2 x  ay  z  4

(E) bx  y  z  0 , where a and b are integers
x  2 y  z  2


It is known that (E) has infinitely many solutions.

(a) Show that (a  2)(b  1)  1 .
(b) Hence, solve (E).

P. 41