How do you find the value(s) of m for which the system has more than one solution?

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$$ \left[ \begin{array}{ccc|c} 3m&m+12&m-3&3\\ 3&m-3&1&3m\\ 1&1&3&2 \end{array} \right] $$

For the above matrix, I would like to know how to solve for the value(s) of m for which the system has more than one solution.

I have turned it into reduced row echelon form, which is

$$ \left[ \begin{array}{ccc|c} 1&0&0&{-3(41m+46)\over (m-6)(8m+19)}-1\\ 0&1&0&{3(8m^2+3m-14)\over (m-6)(8m+19)}\\ 0&0&1&{9\over 8m+19} \end{array} \right] $$

Is there even value(s) of m for which the system has more than one solution?

If there isn't, would I write the answer as "no values of m"?

Thanks so much for your help

2

There are 2 best solutions below

2
On

Guide:

  • Be careful when you divide a number, you could have divided by a zero.

  • You should examine what happens when $8m+19=0$ and also what happens when $m=6$.

Edit:

$$ \left[ \begin{array}{ccc|c} 3m&m+12&m-3&3\\ 3&m-3&1&3m\\ 1&1&3&2 \end{array} \right] $$

reduces to

$$ \left[ \begin{array}{ccc|c} 0&-2(m-6)&-8m-3&3-6m\\ 0&m-6&-8&3m-6\\ 1&1&3&2 \end{array} \right] $$

reduces to

$$ \left[ \begin{array}{ccc|c} 0&0&-8m-19&-9\\ 0&m-6&-8&3m-6\\ 1&1&3&2 \end{array} \right] $$

The only possible values for it to have more than one solution is when either $m=6$ or when $m=-\frac{19}{8}$.

Notice that when $m=-\frac{19}{8}$, it has no solution.

When $m=6$, the system becomes

$$ \left[ \begin{array}{ccc|c} 0&0&-67&-9\\ 0&0&-8&12\\ 1&1&3&2 \end{array} \right] $$

and we can see that it has no solution as well.

4
On

It can only have more than one (actually infinitely many) solutions if the matrix is non - invertible and the equations are non contradicting / inconsistent.

Matrix is non - invertible if its determinant is ...