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Matrices & Determinants
Matrices and Determinants
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Question

Let [λ\lambda] be the greatest integer less than or equal to λ\lambda. The set of all values of λ\lambda for which the system of linear equations x + y + z = 4, 3x + 2y + 5z = 3, 9x + 4y + (28 + [λ\lambda])z = [λ\lambda] has a solution is :

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Solution

Here's a detailed, educational solution to the problem, structured for clarity and understanding.


Understanding the Problem

We are asked to find all real values of λ\lambda for which a given system of three linear equations in three variables (x,y,zx, y, z) has a solution. The notation [λ][\lambda] represents the greatest integer less than or equal to λ\lambda (the floor function). A system of linear equations "has a solution" if it is consistent, meaning it has either a unique solution or infinitely many solutions.

Key Concept: Consistency of a System of Linear Equations (Cramer's Rule)

For a system of linear equations:

a1x+b1y+c1z=d1a2x+b2y+c2z=d2a3x+b3y+c3z=d3\begin{align*} a_1x + b_1y + c_1z &= d_1 \\ a_2x + b_2y + c_2z &= d_2 \\ a_3x + b_3y + c_3z &= d_3 \end{align*}

We define the following determinants:

  1. Coefficient Determinant (DD): D=a1b1c1a2b2c2a3b3c3D = \left| {\begin{array}{ccc} a_1 & b_1 & c_1 \\ a_2 & b_2 & c_2 \\ a_3 & b_3 & c_3 \end{array}} \right|
  2. Determinants for Variables (Dx,Dy,DzD_x, D_y, D_z): These are formed by replacing the respective coefficient column in DD with the constant terms column. Dx=d1b1c1d2b2c2d3b3c3,Dy=a1d1c1a2d2c2a3d3c3,Dz=a1b1d1a2b2d2a3b3d3D_x = \left| {\begin{array}{ccc} d_1 & b_1 & c_1 \\ d_2 & b_2 & c_2 \\ d_3 & b_3 & c_3 \end{array}} \right|, \quad D_y = \left| {\begin{array}{ccc} a_1 & d_1 & c_1 \\ a_2 & d_2 & c_2 \\ a_3 & d_3 & c_3 \end{array}} \right|, \quad D_z = \left| {\begin{array}{ccc} a_1 & b_1 & d_1 \\ a_2 & b_2 & d_2 \\ a_3 & b_3 & d_3 \end{array}} \right|

The consistency rules are as follows:

  • Unique Solution (Consistent): If D0D \neq 0, the system has a unique solution given by x=Dx/Dx = D_x/D, y=Dy/Dy = D_y/D, z=Dz/Dz = D_z/D.
  • No Solution (Inconsistent): If D=0D = 0 AND at least one of Dx,Dy,DzD_x, D_y, D_z is non-zero.
  • Infinitely Many Solutions (Consistent): If D=0D = 0 AND Dx=Dy=Dz=0D_x = D_y = D_z = 0.

Our goal is to find λ\lambda such that the system is consistent, meaning either D0D \neq 0 or (D=0D = 0 and Dx=Dy=Dz=0D_x = D_y = D_z = 0).


Step 1: Identify Coefficients and Constants

First, let's write down the given system and identify the coefficients ai,bi,cia_i, b_i, c_i and the constants did_i:

  1. 1x+1y+1z=41x + 1y + 1z = 4
  2. 3x+2y+5z=33x + 2y + 5z = 3
  3. 9x+4y+(28+[λ])z=[λ]9x + 4y + (28 + [\lambda])z = [\lambda]

Comparing these to the general form, we have:

  • a1=1,b1=1,c1=1,d1=4a_1=1, b_1=1, c_1=1, d_1=4
  • a2=3,b2=2,c2=5,d2=3a_2=3, b_2=2, c_2=5, d_2=3
  • a3=9,b3=4,c3=(28+[λ]),d3=[λ]a_3=9, b_3=4, c_3=(28+[\lambda]), d_3=[\lambda]

Remember that [λ][\lambda] is an integer. For example, if λ=3.7\lambda=3.7, then [λ]=3[\lambda]=3. If λ=2.1\lambda=-2.1, then [λ]=3[\lambda]=-3.


Step 2: Calculate the Determinant of the Coefficient Matrix (DD)

The first crucial step is to calculate DD. Its value will determine the path for further analysis. D=1113259428+[λ]D = \left| {\begin{array}{ccc} 1 & 1 & 1 \\ 3 & 2 & 5 \\ 9 & 4 & {28 + [\lambda]} \end{array}} \right| We can expand this determinant along the first row for simplicity: D=125428+[λ]135928+[λ]+13294D = 1 \cdot \left| {\begin{array}{cc} 2 & 5 \\ 4 & {28 + [\lambda]} \end{array}} \right| - 1 \cdot \left| {\begin{array}{cc} 3 & 5 \\ 9 & {28 + [\lambda]} \end{array}} \right| + 1 \cdot \left| {\begin{array}{cc} 3 & 2 \\ 9 & 4 \end{array}} \right| Now, let's compute the 2×22 \times 2 determinants: D=1[2(28+[λ])5(4)]1[3(28+[λ])5(9)]+1[3(4)2(9)]D = 1 \cdot [2(28 + [\lambda]) - 5(4)] - 1 \cdot [3(28 + [\lambda]) - 5(9)] + 1 \cdot [3(4) - 2(9)] D=[56+2[λ]20][84+3[λ]45]+[1218]D = [56 + 2[\lambda] - 20] - [84 + 3[\lambda] - 45] + [12 - 18] D=[36+2[λ]][39+3[λ]]+[6]D = [36 + 2[\lambda]] - [39 + 3[\lambda]] + [-6] D=36+2[λ]393[λ]6D = 36 + 2[\lambda] - 39 - 3[\lambda] - 6 Combine the constant terms and the terms involving [λ][\lambda]: D=(36396)+(2[λ]3[λ])D = (36 - 39 - 6) + (2[\lambda] - 3[\lambda]) D=9[λ]D = -9 - [\lambda] So, the determinant DD is D=([λ]+9)D = -([\lambda] + 9).


Step 3: Analyze Cases Based on the Value of DD

We now consider the two main scenarios for DD: D0D \neq 0 and D=0D = 0.

Case 1: D0D \neq 0 (Unique Solution)

If D0D \neq 0, the system has a unique solution, and thus it is consistent. From our calculation: D=([λ]+9)0D = -([\lambda] + 9) \neq 0 This implies: [λ]+90[\lambda] + 9 \neq 0 [λ]9[\lambda] \neq -9 So, for any value of λ\lambda where its floor [λ][\lambda] is not equal to 9-9, the system has a unique solution and is consistent.

Case 2: D=0D = 0 (Possibility of Infinite Solutions or No Solution)

If D=0D = 0, we need to calculate Dx,Dy,DzD_x, D_y, D_z to determine consistency. Setting D=0D=0: ([λ]+9)=0-([\lambda] + 9) = 0 [λ]+9=0[\lambda] + 9 = 0 [λ]=9[\lambda] = -9 Now, we substitute [λ]=9[\lambda] = -9 into the original system and into the definitions of Dx,Dy,DzD_x, D_y, D_z. The system becomes:

  1. x+y+z=4x + y + z = 4
  2. 3x+2y+5z=33x + 2y + 5z = 3
  3. 9x+4y+(289)z=9    9x+4y+19z=99x + 4y + (28 - 9)z = -9 \implies 9x + 4y + 19z = -9

Let's calculate Dx,Dy,DzD_x, D_y, D_z for [λ]=9[\lambda] = -9:

Calculate DxD_x: Dx=4113259419D_x = \left| {\begin{array}{ccc} 4 & 1 & 1 \\ 3 & 2 & 5 \\ -9 & 4 & 19 \end{array}} \right| Expand along the first row: Dx=4(21954)1(3195(9))+1(342(9))D_x = 4(2 \cdot 19 - 5 \cdot 4) - 1(3 \cdot 19 - 5 \cdot (-9)) + 1(3 \cdot 4 - 2 \cdot (-9)) Dx=4(3820)1(57+45)+1(12+18)D_x = 4(38 - 20) - 1(57 + 45) + 1(12 + 18) Dx=4(18)1(102)+1(30)D_x = 4(18) - 1(102) + 1(30) Dx=72102+30=0D_x = 72 - 102 + 30 = 0

Calculate DyD_y: Dy=1413359919D_y = \left| {\begin{array}{ccc} 1 & 4 & 1 \\ 3 & 3 & 5 \\ 9 & -9 & 19 \end{array}} \right| Expand along the first row: Dy=1(3195(9))4(31959)+1(3(9)39)D_y = 1(3 \cdot 19 - 5 \cdot (-9)) - 4(3 \cdot 19 - 5 \cdot 9) + 1(3 \cdot (-9) - 3 \cdot 9) Dy=1(57+45)4(5745)+1(2727)D_y = 1(57 + 45) - 4(57 - 45) + 1(-27 - 27) Dy=1(102)4(12)+1(54)D_y = 1(102) - 4(12) + 1(-54) Dy=1024854=0D_y = 102 - 48 - 54 = 0

Calculate DzD_z: Dz=114323949D_z = \left| {\begin{array}{ccc} 1 & 1 & 4 \\ 3 & 2 & 3 \\ 9 & 4 & -9 \end{array}} \right| Expand along the first row: Dz=1(2(9)34)1(3(9)39)+4(3429)D_z = 1(2 \cdot (-9) - 3 \cdot 4) - 1(3 \cdot (-9) - 3 \cdot 9) + 4(3 \cdot 4 - 2 \cdot 9) Dz=1(1812)1(2727)+4(1218)D_z = 1(-18 - 12) - 1(-27 - 27) + 4(12 - 18) Dz=1(30)1(54)+4(6)D_z = 1(-30) - 1(-54) + 4(-6) Dz=30+5424=0D_z = -30 + 54 - 24 = 0

Since we found that D=0D=0 AND Dx=0,Dy=0,Dz=0D_x=0, D_y=0, D_z=0 when [λ]=9[\lambda] = -9, the system has infinitely many solutions for [λ]=9[\lambda] = -9. This means the system is also consistent when [λ]=9[\lambda] = -9.


Step 4: Combine the Results and Determine the Set of λ\lambda

Let's summarize our findings regarding the consistency of the system:

  • If [λ]9[\lambda] \neq -9 (i.e., for all integers [λ][\lambda] except 9-9), the system has a unique solution (consistent).
  • If [λ]=9[\lambda] = -9, the system has infinitely many solutions (consistent).

This implies that for any integer value that [λ][\lambda] can take, the system of equations will have a solution. The greatest integer function, [λ][\lambda], can take any integer value. For any real number λ\lambda, [λ][\lambda] will be some integer. Since the system is consistent for every possible integer value of [λ][\lambda], it means the system is consistent for every real value of λ\lambda.

Therefore, the set of all values of λ\lambda for which the system has a solution is the set of all real numbers, R\mathbb{R}.


Step 5: Match with Options

The derived set of all values of λ\lambda is R\mathbb{R}. This corresponds to option (A).

The final answer is R\boxed{\text{R}}.


Important Tips and Common Mistakes:

  • Don't Stop at D=0D=0: A frequent error is to assume that if D=0D=0, there are no solutions. Always remember to check Dx,Dy,DzD_x, D_y, D_z when D=0D=0 to distinguish between no solution and infinitely many solutions. Both of these cases are important for problems asking "has a solution" (i.e., consistent).
  • Careful with Determinant Calculations: Determinants, especially 3×33 \times 3 ones, are prone to arithmetic errors. Double-check your calculations, paying close attention to signs. Using row/column operations to introduce zeros can sometimes simplify the expansion process and reduce errors.
  • Understanding the Floor Function [λ][\lambda]: Remember that [λ][\lambda] always yields an integer. If the problem involved properties of λ\lambda directly, the range would be different (e.g., if [λ]=9[\lambda]=-9, then 9λ<8-9 \le \lambda < -8). However, since the consistency depends only on the integer value of [λ][\lambda], and [λ][\lambda] can be any integer, the domain of λ\lambda is R\mathbb{R}.
  • Systematic Approach: Break down the problem into clear steps: calculate DD, analyze D0D \neq 0, analyze D=0D=0 (if applicable, calculate Dx,Dy,DzD_x, D_y, D_z), and finally combine the results.

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