How do you solve the system of equations: 6x-8y=2 and 9/2x-6y=3/2?

1 Answer
Aug 5, 2015

There is no unique solution to this pair of equations (they are the same equation except for a constant multiple)

Explanation:

[1]color(white)("XXXX")6x-8y=2
[2]color(white)("XXXX")9/2x-6y=3/2

Simplify [2] by multiplying by 2
[3]color(white)("XXXX")9x-12y = 3

Convert [1] and [3] so y has equal coefficient values in both
Multiply [1] by 3
[4]color(white)("XXXX")18x - 24y = 6
Multiply [3] by 2
[5]color(white)("XXXX")18x-24y = 6

Note that the equations are identical
color(white)("XXXX")(going back through the steps
color(white)("XXXX")we can see that [1] multiplied by 3/4 is the same as [2]