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The value(s) of KK, for which the system of linear equations 2x+y+z=1,x+Ky−z=322x + y + z = 1, x + Ky - z = \frac{3}{2} and 3y−5z=93y - 5z = 9 does not possess a unique solution is

Solution

✅ Correct Option: 1

A system of linear equations has a unique solution when the determinant of its coefficient matrix is non-zero. For the system to not possess a unique solution, the determinant must equal zero.

From the given equations:

2x+y+z=12x + y + z = 1

x+Ky−z=32x + Ky - z = \dfrac{3}{2}

0⋅x+3y−5z=90 \cdot x + 3y - 5z = 9

The coefficient matrix is:

A=[2111K−103−5]A = \begin{bmatrix} 2 & 1 & 1 \\ 1 & K & -1 \\ 0 & 3 & -5 \end{bmatrix}

Note: The third equation has no xx term, so the first entry in the third row is 00.


Expanding along the first column (since it contains a zero, one term of computation is eliminated):

det⁡(A)=2∣K−13−5∣−1∣113−5∣+0∣11K−1∣\det(A) = 2\begin{vmatrix} K & -1 \\ 3 & -5 \end{vmatrix} - 1\begin{vmatrix} 1 & 1 \\ 3 & -5 \end{vmatrix} + 0\begin{vmatrix} 1 & 1 \\ K & -1 \end{vmatrix}

Recall that for a 2×22 \times 2 determinant: ∣abcd∣=ad−bc\begin{vmatrix} a & b \\ c & d \end{vmatrix} = ad - bc

Computing each 2×22 \times 2 determinant:

∣K−13−5∣=(K)(−5)−(−1)(3)=−5K+3\begin{vmatrix} K & -1 \\ 3 & -5 \end{vmatrix} = (K)(-5) - (-1)(3) = -5K + 3

∣113−5∣=(1)(−5)−(1)(3)=−8\begin{vmatrix} 1 & 1 \\ 3 & -5 \end{vmatrix} = (1)(-5) - (1)(3) = -8


Substituting back:

det⁡(A)=2(−5K+3)−1(−8)+0\det(A) = 2(-5K + 3) - 1(-8) + 0

=−10K+6+8= -10K + 6 + 8

=−10K+14= -10K + 14


For no unique solution, det⁡(A)=0\det(A) = 0:

−10K+14=0-10K + 14 = 0

K=1410K = \dfrac{14}{10}

K=75K = \dfrac{7}{5}


Therefore, the system does not possess a unique solution when

K=75K = \dfrac{7}{5}

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