Solving Matrix Help: Find Values of k w/o Solution

[Coolies]

Matrix Help! ahhh

http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/9982/matrixnq8.gif

What values of k does the system not have a solution?

I don't know how to do this question. Anybody have any ideas? :)

 

[danago]

Perform a matrix operation to one of the rows so that you can solve for one of the variables, in terms of k. What i would do is eliminate the 1 from the bottom row, so that it is of the form:

[ 0 f(k) g(k) ]

Then use the fact that if 0x = c (where c is some non zero constant), then the equation cannot be solved.

 

[malawi_glenn]

Another way to do this is when the determinant of the matrix is zero, then this system of equations has no solution.

 

[Hurkyl]

http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/9982/matrixnq8.gif

What values of k does the system not have a solution?

I don't know how to do this question. Anybody have any ideas? :)

Yes: try and solve the system.

 

[ZioX]

Another way to do this is when the determinant of the matrix is zero, then this system of equations has no solution.

You mean no unique sol'n. This is for the op's knowledge.