Let a , b , c be real numbers. I must consider the following system of linear equa

copafumpv

copafumpv

Answered question

2022-05-25

Let a , b , c be real numbers. I must consider the following system of linear equations:
{ x + 2 b y = a b x + ( 1 b ) y = c 2 + c
For which set of values of a is the following proposition true: "For every b there exists a c such that the system has a solution"?

Answer & Explanation

Melina Glover

Melina Glover

Beginner2022-05-26Added 11 answers

For a c with a solution to exist, it must be possible satisfy the second equation, which is a quadratic for c.
So we know that there is a solution c precisely when the associated discriminant is nonnegative. This discriminant is Δ = 1 4 ( b x + ( 1 b ) y )
When we solve for x using the other equation, i.e. x = a 2 b y, we obtain:
Δ = 1 4 ( b ( a 2 b y ) + ( 1 b ) y ) = 1 4 a b + 8 b 2 y + y b y = 1 4 a b + y ( 8 b 2 b + 1 )
Because we may vary y to obtain a solution, the only way Δ is guaranteed to be negative is when 8 b 2 b + 1 is zero. This you can use to provide conditions on a to ensure that Δ 0 even in that case.

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