Consistency conditions for systems

Questions asking to find parameter values for which an inconsistent-looking system becomes consistent (has solutions).

7 questions · Standard +1.0

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OCR MEI FP2 2013 June Q3
18 marks Standard +0.8
3 You are given the matrix \(\mathbf { A } = \left( \begin{array} { r r r } k & - 7 & 4 \\ 2 & - 2 & 3 \\ 1 & - 3 & - 2 \end{array} \right)\).
  1. Show that when \(k = 5\) the determinant of \(\mathbf { A }\) is zero. Obtain an expression for the inverse of \(\mathbf { A }\) when \(k \neq 5\).
  2. Solve the matrix equation $$\left( \begin{array} { r r r }
OCR MEI FP2 2011 June Q3
18 marks Challenging +1.2
3
  1. Find the value of \(k\) for which the matrix $$\mathbf { M } = \left( \begin{array} { r r r } 1 & - 1 & k \\ 5 & 4 & 6 \\ 3 & 2 & 4 \end{array} \right)$$ does not have an inverse.
    Assuming that \(k\) does not take this value, find the inverse of \(\mathbf { M }\) in terms of \(k\).
  2. In the case \(k = 3\), evaluate $$\mathbf { M } \left( \begin{array} { r } - 3 \\ 3 \\ 1 \end{array} \right)$$
  3. State the significance of what you have found in part (ii).
  4. Find the value of \(t\) for which the system of equations $$\begin{array} { r } x - y + 3 z = t \\ 5 x + 4 y + 6 z = 1 \\ 3 x + 2 y + 4 z = 0 \end{array}$$ has solutions. Find the general solution in this case and describe the solution geometrically.
CAIE FP1 2006 November Q5
6 marks Challenging +1.2
5 Show that if \(a \neq 3\) then the system of equations $$\begin{aligned} & 2 x + 3 y + 4 z = - 5 \\ & 4 x + 5 y - z = 5 a + 15 \\ & 6 x + 8 y + a z = b - 2 a + 21 \end{aligned}$$ has a unique solution. Given that \(a = 3\), find the value of \(b\) for which the equations are consistent.
OCR Further Pure Core 1 2017 Specimen Q8
8 marks Standard +0.8
8
  1. Find the solution to the following simultaneous equations. $$\begin{array} { r r r } x + y + & z = & 3 \\ 2 x + 4 y + 5 z = & 9 \\ 7 x + 11 y + 12 z = & 20 \end{array}$$
  2. Determine the values of \(p\) and \(k\) for which there are an infinity of solutions to the following simultaneous equations. $$\begin{array} { r r r r } x + & y + & z = & 3 \\ 2 x + & 4 y + & 5 z = & 9 \\ 7 x + & 11 y + & p z = & k \end{array}$$
OCR FP1 2010 June Q9
9 marks Standard +0.3
The matrix \(\mathbf{A}\) is given by \(\mathbf{A} = \begin{pmatrix} a & a & -1 \\ 0 & a & 2 \\ 1 & 2 & 1 \end{pmatrix}\).
  1. Find, in terms of \(a\), the determinant of \(\mathbf{A}\). [3]
  2. Three simultaneous equations are shown below. \begin{align} ax + ay - z &= -1
    ay + 2z &= 2a
    x + 2y + z &= 1 \end{align} For each of the following values of \(a\), determine whether the equations are consistent or inconsistent. If the equations are consistent, determine whether or not there is a unique solution.
    1. \(a = 0\)
    2. \(a = 1\)
    3. \(a = 2\) [6]
Pre-U Pre-U 9795/1 2011 June Q8
7 marks Challenging +1.2
  1. Determine the two values of \(k\) for which the system of equations \begin{align} x + 2y + 3z &= 4
    2x + 3y + kz &= 9
    x + ky + 6z &= 1 \end{align} has no unique solution. [3]
  2. Show that the system is consistent for one of these values of \(k\) and inconsistent for the other. [4]
Pre-U Pre-U 9795/1 2013 November Q9
10 marks Challenging +1.2
  1. Show that there is exactly one value of \(k\) for which the system of equations \begin{align} kx + 2y + kz &= 4
    3x + 10y + 2z &= m
    (k - 1)x - 4y + z &= k \end{align} does not have a unique solution. [4]
  2. Given that the system of equations is consistent for this value of \(k\), find the value of \(m\). [4]
  3. Explain the geometrical significance of a non-unique solution to a \(3 \times 3\) system of linear equations. [2]