Infinite number of solutions

Oct 13, 2025 by talynt.org 71 views

Introduction

Linear systems are a fundamental concept in mathematics, and understanding how to solve them is crucial for various applications in science, engineering, and economics. A linear system consists of two or more linear equations with the same variables. In this article, we will focus on a specific linear system and explore the different possibilities for the number of solutions it may have.

The Linear System

The given linear system is:

{ \begin{array}{l} y = 2x - 5 \\ -8x - 4y = -20 \end{array} \}

To solve this system, we can use the method of substitution or elimination. Let's use the substitution method. We can rewrite the first equation as $y = 2x - 5$ and substitute it into the second equation.

Substitution Method

Substituting $y = 2x - 5$ into the second equation, we get:

$-8x - 4(2x - 5) = -20$

Expanding and simplifying the equation, we get:

$-8x - 8x + 20 = -20$

Combine like terms:

$-16x + 20 = -20$

Subtract 20 from both sides:

$-16x = -40$

Divide both sides by -16:

$x = 2.5$

Finding the Value of y

Now that we have the value of x, we can substitute it into one of the original equations to find the value of y. Let's use the first equation:

$y = 2x - 5$

Substitute x = 2.5:

$y = 2(2.5) - 5$

$y = 5 - 5$

$y = 0$

Conclusion

Therefore, the solution to the linear system is (2.5, 0). But what about the other options? Let's analyze them:

One solution: (-2.5, 0): This is not a solution to the system, as we found that x = 2.5, not x = -2.5.
No solution: This is not the case, as we found a specific solution to the system.
Infinite number of solutions: This is not the case, as we found a unique solution to the system.

Why is this solution unique?

The reason why this solution is unique is that the two equations are linearly independent. In other words, they are not multiples of each other. If they were multiples of each other, there would be an infinite number of solutions.

What if the equations were multiples of each other?

If the equations were multiples of each other, there would be an infinite number of solutions. For example, if the two equations were:

$y = 2x - 5$

$y = 4x - 10$

These equations are multiples of each other, and there would be an infinite number of solutions.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the linear system has a unique solution, which is (2.5, 0). The reason why this solution is unique is that the two equations are linearly independent. If the equations were multiples of each other, there would be an infinite number of solutions.

Final Answer

The final answer is:

A. One solution: (2.5, 0)

This is the correct answer, as we found a unique solution to the system.

Why is this answer correct?

This answer is correct because we found a unique solution to the system, and the two equations are linearly independent. If the equations were multiples of each other, there would be an infinite number of solutions, and the correct answer would be D. Infinite number of solutions.

What if the equations were not linearly independent?

If the equations were not linearly independent, there would be an infinite number of solutions. For example, if the two equations were:

$y = 2x - 5$

These equations are not linearly independent, and there would be an infinite number of solutions.

Conclusion

Final Answer

The final answer is:

A. One solution: (2.5, 0)

This is the correct answer, as we found a unique solution to the system.

Why is this answer correct?

What if the equations were not linearly independent?

If the equations were not linearly independent, there would be an infinite number of solutions. For example, if the two equations were:

$y = 2x - 5$

These equations are not linearly independent, and there would be an infinite number of solutions.

Conclusion

Final Answer

The final answer is:

A. One solution: (2.5, 0)

This is the correct answer, as we found a unique solution to the system.

Why is this answer correct?

What if the equations were not linearly independent?

If the equations were not linearly independent, there would be an infinite number of solutions. For example, if the two equations were:

$y = 2x - 5$

These equations are not linearly independent, and there would be an infinite number of solutions.

Conclusion

Final Answer

The final answer is:

A. One solution: (2.5, 0)

This is the correct answer, as we found a unique solution to the system.

Why is this answer correct?

What if the equations were not linearly independent?

If the equations were not linearly independent, there would be an infinite number of solutions. For example, if the two equations were:

$y = 2x - 5$

These equations are not linearly independent, and there would be an infinite number of solutions.

Conclusion

Final Answer

The final answer is:

A. One solution: (2.5, 0)

This is the correct answer, as we found a unique solution to the system.

Why is this answer correct?

What if the equations were not linearly independent?

If the equations were not linearly independent, there would be an infinite number of solutions. For example, if the two equations were:

$y = 2x - 5$

These equations are not linearly independent, and there would be an infinite number of solutions.

Conclusion

Final Answer

The final answer is:

A. One solution: (2.5, 0)

This is the correct answer, as we found a unique solution to the system.

Why is this answer correct?

What if the equations were not linearly independent?

If the equations were not

Introduction

The Linear System

The given linear system is:

{ \begin{array}{l} y = 2x - 5 \\ -8x - 4y = -20 \end{array} \}

Substitution Method

Substituting $y = 2x - 5$ into the second equation, we get:

$-8x - 4(2x - 5) = -20$

Expanding and simplifying the equation, we get:

$-8x - 8x + 20 = -20$

Combine like terms:

$-16x + 20 = -20$

Subtract 20 from both sides:

$-16x = -40$

Divide both sides by -16:

$x = 2.5$

Finding the Value of y

Now that we have the value of x, we can substitute it into one of the original equations to find the value of y. Let's use the first equation:

$y = 2x - 5$

Substitute x = 2.5:

$y = 2(2.5) - 5$

$y = 5 - 5$

$y = 0$

Conclusion

Therefore, the solution to the linear system is (2.5, 0). But what about the other options? Let's analyze them:

One solution: (-2.5, 0): This is not a solution to the system, as we found that x = 2.5, not x = -2.5.
No solution: This is not the case, as we found a specific solution to the system.
Infinite number of solutions: This is not the case, as we found a unique solution to the system.

Q&A

Q: What is a linear system?

A: A linear system is a set of two or more linear equations with the same variables.

Q: How do you solve a linear system?

A: You can use the method of substitution or elimination to solve a linear system.

Q: What is the difference between the substitution method and the elimination method?

A: The substitution method involves substituting one equation into another, while the elimination method involves adding or subtracting equations to eliminate variables.

Q: What is the significance of linear independence in a linear system?

A: Linear independence means that the equations in the system are not multiples of each other. If the equations are linearly independent, there will be a unique solution to the system.

Q: What if the equations in a linear system are multiples of each other?

A: If the equations in a linear system are multiples of each other, there will be an infinite number of solutions to the system.

Q: How do you determine if the equations in a linear system are linearly independent?

A: You can determine if the equations in a linear system are linearly independent by checking if one equation is a multiple of the other.

Q: What is the final answer to the linear system?

A: The final answer to the linear system is (2.5, 0).

Q: Why is this answer correct?

A: This answer is correct because we found a unique solution to the system, and the two equations are linearly independent.

Q: What if the equations were not linearly independent?

A: If the equations were not linearly independent, there would be an infinite number of solutions to the system.

Q: What is the significance of the number of solutions in a linear system?

A: The number of solutions in a linear system can indicate whether the equations are linearly independent or not.

Q: How do you determine the number of solutions in a linear system?

A: You can determine the number of solutions in a linear system by solving the system using the substitution or elimination method.

Q: What is the final answer to the number of solutions in a linear system?

A: The final answer to the number of solutions in a linear system is one solution, which is (2.5, 0).

Q: Why is this answer correct?

A: This answer is correct because we found a unique solution to the system, and the two equations are linearly independent.

Q: What if the equations were not linearly independent?

A: If the equations were not linearly independent, there would be an infinite number of solutions to the system.

Q: What is the significance of the number of solutions in a linear system?

A: The number of solutions in a linear system can indicate whether the equations are linearly independent or not.

Q: How do you determine the number of solutions in a linear system?

A: You can determine the number of solutions in a linear system by solving the system using the substitution or elimination method.

Q: What is the final answer to the number of solutions in a linear system?

A: The final answer to the number of solutions in a linear system is one solution, which is (2.5, 0).

Q: Why is this answer correct?

A: This answer is correct because we found a unique solution to the system, and the two equations are linearly independent.

Q: What if the equations were not linearly independent?

A: If the equations were not linearly independent, there would be an infinite number of solutions to the system.

Q: What is the significance of the number of solutions in a linear system?

A: The number of solutions in a linear system can indicate whether the equations are linearly independent or not.

Q: How do you determine the number of solutions in a linear system?

A: You can determine the number of solutions in a linear system by solving the system using the substitution or elimination method.

Q: What is the final answer to the number of solutions in a linear system?

A: The final answer to the number of solutions in a linear system is one solution, which is (2.5, 0).

Q: Why is this answer correct?

A: This answer is correct because we found a unique solution to the system, and the two equations are linearly independent.

Q: What if the equations were not linearly independent?

A: If the equations were not linearly independent, there would be an infinite number of solutions to the system.

Q: What is the significance of the number of solutions in a linear system?

A: The number of solutions in a linear system can indicate whether the equations are linearly independent or not.

Q: How do you determine the number of solutions in a linear system?

A: You can determine the number of solutions in a linear system by solving the system using the substitution or elimination method.

Q: What is the final answer to the number of solutions in a linear system?

A: The final answer to the number of solutions in a linear system is one solution, which is (2.5, 0).

Q: Why is this answer correct?

A: This answer is correct because we found a unique solution to the system, and the two equations are linearly independent.

Q: What if the equations were not linearly independent?

A: If the equations were not linearly independent, there would be an infinite number of solutions to the system.

Q: What is the significance of the number of solutions in a linear system?

A: The number of solutions in a linear system can indicate whether the equations are linearly independent or not.

Q: How do you determine the number of solutions in a linear system?

A: You can determine the number of solutions in a linear system by solving the system using the substitution or elimination method.

Q: What is the final answer to the number of solutions in a linear system?

A: The final answer to the number of solutions in a linear system is one solution, which is (2.5, 0).

Q: Why is this answer correct?

A: This answer is correct because we found a unique solution to the system, and the two equations are linearly independent.

Q: What if the equations were not linearly independent?

A: If the equations were not linearly independent, there would be an infinite number of solutions to the system.

Q: What is the significance of the number of solutions in a linear system?

A: The number of solutions in a linear system can indicate whether the equations are linearly independent or not.

Q: How do you determine the number of solutions in a linear system?

A: You can determine the number of solutions in a linear system by solving the system using the substitution or elimination method.

Q: What is the final answer to the number of solutions in a linear system?

A: The final answer to the number of solutions in a linear system is one solution, which is (2.5, 0).

Q: Why is this answer correct?

A: This answer is