Find the values of a and b for which the following system of linear equations has infinite the number of solutions:
2x - 3y = 7
(a + b)x - (a + b - 3)y = 4a + b
Solution
The given system of equations may be written as
2x - 3y - 7 = 0
(a + b)x - (a + b - 3)y - 4a + b = 0
It is of the form
`a_1x + b_1y + c_1 = 0`
`a_2x + b_2y + c_2 = 0`
Where `a_1 = 2, b_1 = -3,c_1 = -7`
And `a_2 = a + b, b_2 = -(a + b - 3), c_2 = -(4a + b) `
The given system of equations will have infinite number of solutions, if
`a_1/a_2 - b_1/b_2 = c_1/c_2`
`=> 2/(a + b) = (-3)/(-(a + b - 3)) = (-7)/(-(4a + b))`
`=> 2(a + b -3) = 3(a + b) and 3(4a + b) = 7(a + b - 3)`
=> -6 = 3a - 2a + 3b - 2b and 12a - 7a + 3b - 7b = 21
=> -6 = a + b and 5a - 4b = -21
Now
a + b = -6
=> a = -6 - b
Substituting the value of a i n 5a - 4b = -2 we get
5(-b - 6 )- 4b = -21
=> -5b - 30 - 4b = -21
=> -9b = -21 + 30
=> -9b = 9
`=> b = 9/(-9) = -1`
Putting b = -1 in a = -b-6 we get
a = -(-1) - 6 = 1 - 6 = -5
Hence, the given system of equations will have infinitely many solutions,
if a = -5 and b = -1