Is a system of equations consistent?

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SUMMARY

The given system of equations is consistent and has infinitely many solutions. After transforming the system into Reduced Row Echelon Form, it was determined that the fourth row simplifies to 0=0, indicating that the variable X4 can take any value. The solutions depend on the chosen value of X4, with X4 = 0 yielding the specific solution set {-3, -1, 1, 0}. This scenario illustrates one degree of freedom in R^4, leading to a line of solutions.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of systems of linear equations
  • Familiarity with Reduced Row Echelon Form (RREF)
  • Knowledge of degrees of freedom in linear algebra
  • Basic concepts of vector spaces in R^4
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the properties of Reduced Row Echelon Form in linear algebra
  • Explore the concept of degrees of freedom in systems of equations
  • Learn about the geometric interpretation of solutions in R^4
  • Investigate methods for solving systems with infinitely many solutions
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Students and educators in mathematics, particularly those focusing on linear algebra and systems of equations, as well as anyone seeking to understand the implications of consistency in mathematical systems.

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Homework Statement


Tell if the given system is consistent or not:
X_{1} -2X_{4} = -3
2X_{2}+2X_{3} = 0
X_{3}+3X_{4} = 1
-2X_{1}+3X_{2}+2X_{3}+X_{4} = 5

Homework Equations


Once put into Reduced Row Echelon Form, the system becomes:
X_{1}-2X_{4} = -3
X_{2}-3X_{4} = -1
X_{3}+3X_{4} = 1

The Attempt at a Solution


I put the system into reduced row echelon form (see above) and can not see a way to find an exact solution to the system so I want to say that it is inconsistent. However, I'm not entirely sure on this matter.

Is it inconsistent?
 
Last edited:
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It's consistent, but with infinitely many solutions. The 4th row became 0=0 meaning that X4 is allowed to take on any value it wants and the system will still be consistent. The rest of the solutions depends on what value of x4 is chosen. X4 = 0 gives the solution's {-3,-1,1,0}. Since there is one degree of freedom (ie. one variable that is allowed to do whatever it pleases), the solutions all lie on a line in R^4. If there had been two degrees of freedom, all of the solutions would be on a plane in R^4
 
Last edited:
Vid said:
It's consistent, but with infinitely many solutions. The 4th row became 0=0 meaning that X4 is allowed to take on any value it wants and the system will still be consistent. The rest of the solutions depends on what value of x4 is chosen. X4 = 0 gives the solutions {-3,-1,1,0}. Since there is one degree of freedom (ie. one variable that is allowed to do whatever is pleases), the solutions all lie on a line in R^4. If there had been two degrees of freedom, all of the solutions would be on a plane in R^4

Thank you. That makes far more sense.
 

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