Describe systems of equations as consistent and independent, consistent and dependent, or inconsistent

Question

3. 3x-4y=5

    6x-8y=-5

Answer 1

Kara,

There are many ways to solve this problem. I'm assuming your okay with the definition of independent, dependent and inconsistent systems of equations (let me know if my assumption is incorrect), and that you can easily recognize slope and y-intercepts for a line (I'll be glad to review this if it is needed).

The easiest way to see that this is an inconsistent system is to note that the lines have the same slope, but a different y intercept. That means that they will start at different points (different y-intercept) and then increase at the same rate (same slope). The result is that they will never meet.

Answer 2

First we want to solve for "y"

EQ1:

3x-4y = 5

4y = 3x-5

y = (3x-5)/4

EQ2:

6x-8y = 5

8y = 6x-5

y = (6x-5)/8

Recall the definitions:

A set of equations is consistent and independent if they have only one intersection.

A set of equations is consistent and dependent if they are the same line.

A set of equations is inconsistent if they do not have a point of intersection.

Now we want to see if there are any points of intersection. Set the equations equal to eachother and solve for x:

(3x-5)/4 = (6x-5)/8

2*(3x-5) = (6x-5)

6x-10 = 6x-5

-10 = -5

So, we do not have any points of intersection. This means that the equations are inconsistent.