CAIE FP1 2012 June — Question 10

Exam BoardCAIE
ModuleFP1 (Further Pure Mathematics 1)
Year2012
SessionJune
Topic3x3 Matrices

10 Find the set of values of \(a\) for which the system of equations $$\begin{aligned} x - 2 y - 2 z & = - 7
2 x + ( a - 9 ) y - 10 z & = - 11
3 x - 6 y + 2 a z & = - 29 \end{aligned}$$ has a unique solution. Show that the system has no solution in the case \(a = - 3\). Given that \(a = 5\),
  1. show that the number of solutions is infinite,
  2. find the solution for which \(x + y + z = 2\).