Using symbolic variables in MATLAB to find linear independence with parameter k

[gibxam]

If I'm given a set of vectors
{-4; 3; -10} = v1
{2; -2; -3+k} = v2
{2; -6; 14} = v3
I want to find that they are linearly independent if and only if k != something

to solve this is simple but a huge tedious pain (although not nearly as tedious as trying to find a solution to this question)

I just solve:

c1*v1 + c2*v2 + c3*v3 = 0
or
Ax = 0 where a is matrix above

I'm desperately trying to convince MATLAB that k is a variable but can't do it. I've tried making it symbolic with syms but it doesn't work. Please help me. Thank you

 

[viscousflow]

You should try expanding all three equations and having symbolic solve them simultaneously rather than using the cell format you have above.