SAT Math · Systems of two linear equations in two variables · hard

The system 4x + ky = 8 and 2x + 3y = m has no solution when k = 6 and m = 5. For which value of m would the system have infinitely many…

The system 4x+ky=84x + ky = 8 and 2x+3y=m2x + 3y = m has no solution when k=6k = 6 and m=5m = 5. For which value of mm would the system have infinitely many solutions when k=6k = 6?

Answer and explanation

Answer: A: 4

With k=6k = 6, the first equation is 4x+6y=84x + 6y = 8. Dividing both sides by 2 gives 2x+3y=42x + 3y = 4, which has exactly the same left side as the second equation, 2x+3y=m2x + 3y = m. Two equations with the same left side describe parallel lines: if the right sides differ, the lines never meet (no solution), and if the right sides are equal, the equations describe the same line (infinitely many solutions). So the system has infinitely many solutions only when m=4m = 4, choice A. Choices B (m=2m = 2), C (m=5m = 5), and D (m=8m = 8) all make the right sides differ from 4, so each of them gives parallel, distinct lines and no solution at all.

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