Attempt to solve this system of three linear equations

In summary: A student called Erika thinks that the point (2, 19) is also on the curve. However, the system of equations formed by these three points is unsolvable. In order to make it solvable, an additional unknown or coefficient must be added. This approach is not uncommon in certain mathematical methods, such as linear programming.
  • #1
Elara04
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TL;DR Summary
Is it possible to add an unknown or co-efficient to make an unsolvable system of equation solvable???
The point (1, 5) is on the curve: y=ax^2+bx+c. This point gives the linear equation: 5 = a + b + c. A second point on the curve, (2, 10) gives the linear equation 10=4a+2b+c. A student called Erika thinks that the point (2, 19) is also on the curve.

5 = a + b + c.
10=4a+2b+c
19=4a+2b+c

the system of equations is unsolvable, but I have been told that there is a way to add another unknown or co-efficient to make it possible to answer the question. Does anyone have any ideas?
 
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  • #2
Elara04 said:
Summary: Is it possible to add an unknown or co-efficient to make an unsolvable system of equation solvable?

The point (1, 5) is on the curve: y=ax^2+bx+c. This point gives the linear equation: 5 = a + b + c. A second point on the curve, (2, 10) gives the linear equation 10=4a+2b+c. A student called Erika thinks that the point (2, 19) is also on the curve.

5 = a + b + c.
10=4a+2b+c
19=4a+2b+c

the system of equations is unsolvable, but I have been told that there is a way to add another unknown or co-efficient to make it possible to answer the question. Does anyone have any ideas?
Welcome to PF.

Why do you say this system is unsolvable? You have 3 equations and 3 unknowns -- are the equations not independent?

Please tell us more about what you know about solving simulataneous equations so we can try to help your understanding.

Also, is this for schoolwork?
 
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  • #3
berkeman said:
Why do you say this system is unsolvable? You have 3 equations and 3 unknowns -- are the equations not independent?
Elara04 said:
10=4a+2b+c
19=4a+2b+c
Oh, LOL. Are you trolling us?
 
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  • #4
Elara04 said:
Summary: Is it possible to add an unknown or co-efficient to make an unsolvable system of equation solvable?

The point (1, 5) is on the curve: y=ax^2+bx+c. This point gives the linear equation: 5 = a + b + c. A second point on the curve, (2, 10) gives the linear equation 10=4a+2b+c. A student called Erika thinks that the point (2, 19) is also on the curve.

5 = a + b + c.
10=4a+2b+c
19=4a+2b+c

the system of equations is unsolvable, but I have been told that there is a way to add another unknown or co-efficient to make it possible to answer the question. Does anyone have any ideas?
Don't think about the equations, think about the function ##y = ax^2 + bx + c##. Can we have both (2, 10) and (2, 19) on this curve?

-Dan
 
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  • #5
berkeman said:
Why do you say this system is unsolvable? You have 3 equations and 3 unknowns
Which isn't enough to make the system solvable.
10=4a+2b+c
19=4a+2b+c
The 2nd and 3rd equations are inconsistent. No set of values a, b, and c can satisfy both equations. Geometrically, these two equations represent two parallel planes in ##\mathbb R^3##. Obviously, two parallel planes can't share any common points.
berkeman said:
Oh, LOL. Are you trolling us?
No, not at all. The 3rd equation comes from a hypothetical student Erika who thinks that a certain point lies on the curve.
 
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  • #6
Typo maybe? It just doesn't make sense.

Anyway a simple linear set of equations that is "unsolvable" is unsolvable. The point is "unsolvable" in this context doesn't mean "I don't know the answer" it means "there isn't an answer, and there never will be".

You certainly could change the question to make a different problem solvable though.
 
  • #7
Mark44 said:
The 3rd equation comes from a hypothetical student Erika who thinks that a certain point lies on the curve.
Hypothetical Erika is a waste of time. State the problem clearly and proceed with the analysis, the back story isn't necessary.

BTW, this isn't calculus.
 
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  • #8
DaveE said:
Hypothetical Erika is a waste of time. State the problem clearly and proceed with the analysis, the back story isn't necessary.
The problem was stated clearly. The part about Erika was a necessary part of the problem.
 
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  • #9
Could try to find solutions modulo (?) . I would not want to try it though. eg 7 mod 5 = 2 so the same "2" could represent two different numbers.
 
  • #10
The last two equations are contradictory as they stand:
10=4a+2b+c
19=4a+2b+c

Adding another variable makes a solvable problem:
10=4a+2b+c
19=4a+2b+c + d
Clearly, we can set d = 9 and these two equations are now redundant, not contradictory, so the new system of equations is solvable.
This is not as unusual and useless as you might think. In linear programming, there are algorithms (Simplex Method) where variables (slack, surplus, and artificial variables) are added to get an easy initial solution. The algorithm then finds other solutions that satisfy the original problem which had inequalities, not equalities as constraints.
 
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  • #11
Elara04 said:
TL;DR Summary: Is it possible to add an unknown or co-efficient to make an unsolvable system of equation solvable???

The point (1, 5) is on the curve: y=ax^2+bx+c. This point gives the linear equation: 5 = a + b + c. A second point on the curve, (2, 10) gives the linear equation 10=4a+2b+c. A student called Erika thinks that the point (2, 19) is also on the curve.

5 = a + b + c.
10=4a+2b+c
19=4a+2b+c

the system of equations is unsolvable, but I have been told that there is a way to add another unknown or co-efficient to make it possible to answer the question. Does anyone have any ideas?

If the curve has an equation of the form [itex]y = f(x)[/itex] then for each [itex]x[/itex] there exists at most one [itex]y[/itex] such that [itex](x,y)[/itex] is on the curve. It is given that (2,10) is on the curve, so (2,19) is not on the curve and Erika is wrong. Alternatively, it may be that the assumption that the curve has an equation of the form [itex]y = f(x)[/itex] is incorrect, and Erika is right: as for example if [tex]x = g(y) = \frac{-y^2 + 29y - 50}{70}.[/tex]
 

FAQ: Attempt to solve this system of three linear equations

1. How do you solve a system of three linear equations?

To solve a system of three linear equations, you can use the elimination method or the substitution method. In the elimination method, you eliminate one variable by adding or subtracting the equations. In the substitution method, you solve for one variable in one equation and substitute it into the other equations.

2. What is the purpose of solving a system of three linear equations?

The purpose of solving a system of three linear equations is to find the values of the variables that satisfy all three equations simultaneously. This allows us to find the intersection point of three lines or the solution to a real-world problem represented by the equations.

3. Can a system of three linear equations have more than one solution?

Yes, a system of three linear equations can have one, infinite, or no solutions. If the equations represent three parallel lines, there is no solution. If the equations represent three intersecting lines, there is one solution. If the equations represent three identical lines, there are infinite solutions.

4. What is the difference between consistent and inconsistent systems of three linear equations?

A consistent system of three linear equations has at least one solution, while an inconsistent system has no solution. In other words, a consistent system has three intersecting lines, while an inconsistent system has three parallel lines.

5. Can I use a calculator to solve a system of three linear equations?

Yes, you can use a graphing calculator or a system of equations solver to solve a system of three linear equations. However, it is important to understand the concepts and steps involved in solving the equations by hand before relying on technology.

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