College Algebra (6th Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0-32178-228-3
ISBN 13: 978-0-32178-228-1

Chapter 6 - Matrices and Determinants - Exercise Set 6.5 - Page 653: 59

Answer

Compute $D,D_x,D_y,D_z$, then decide the nature of the system and find its solution (if it exists)

Work Step by Step

In order to apply Cramer's rule, we first compute the determinant $D$ of the system's coefficients. The next step is to compute $D_x,D_y,D_z$ which are determinants built from determinant $D$ in which we replace the $x$, $y$ and $z$ column by the constant matrix. If $D\not=0$, then the system has one solution: $x=\dfrac{D_x}{D}$ $y=\dfrac{D_y}{D}$ $z=\dfrac{D_z}{D}$ If $D=0$ and $D_x=0$, D_y=0$, D_z=0$, the system is dependent (it has infinitely many solutions). If $D=0$, but at least one of the determinants $D_x,D_y,D_z$ is not zero, then the system is inconsistent (it has no solution).
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