Exercise 1778Linear algebra › Matrices and linear systemsL1Added 3 Nov 2026
A linear system with a parameter
#linear system#parameter#discussion
Statement
Discuss and solve, depending on the real parameter m: ⎩⎨⎧x+y+z=3x+2y+3z=6x+3y+mz=9
Hint
Compute the determinant of the coefficient matrix and discuss according to its value.
Show solutionHide solution
Solution
Determinant. Let A be the coefficient matrix: A=11112313m. Subtract row 1 from rows 2 and 3: detA=10011212m−1=1⋅(1⋅(m−1)−2⋅2)=m−5.
Case m=5: unique solution. Subtract the first equation from the second and from the third: y+2z=3,2y+(m−1)z=6. From the first, y=3−2z. Substituting into the second: 2(3−2z)+(m−1)z=6⟹(m−5)z=0. Since m=5, this gives z=0, then y=3, and from the first equation x=3−y−z=0. The unique solution is (x,y,z)=(0,3,0).
Case m=5: infinitely many solutions. The third equation becomes x+3y+5z=9. Subtracting consecutive equations: L2−L1:y+2z=3,L3−L2:y+2z=3. So the third equation is a consequence of the first two, and the system reduces to {x+y+z=3y+2z=3. Choose z=t∈R. Then y=3−2t and x=3−y−z=3−(3−2t)−t=t. The solutions are (x,y,z)=(t,3−2t,t), t∈R.
Verification. At t=0: (0,3,0) satisfies 0+3+0=3, 0+6+0=6, 0+9+0=9. At t=1: (1,1,1) satisfies 1+1+1=3, 1+2+3=6, 1+3+5=9. The m=5 solution is the member t=0 of the m=5 family.
Conclusion. - If m=5: unique solution (x,y,z)=(0,3,0). - If m=5: infinitely many solutions (x,y,z)=(t,3−2t,t), t∈R.