For the system of linear equations αx+y+z=1,x+αy+z=1,x+y+αz=β, which one of the following statements is NOT correct?
Options
Solution
This problem requires a thorough understanding of how to determine the nature of solutions (unique, no solution, or infinitely many solutions) for a system of linear equations. We will use the determinant method, often associated with Cramer's Rule, to analyze the given system under different conditions for α and β.
1. Key Concepts and Formulas
System of Linear Equations: A system of n linear equations in n variables can be written in matrix form as AX=B, where A is the coefficient matrix, X is the variable matrix, and B is the constant matrix.
Determinants:
Δ=det(A): Determinant of the coefficient matrix.
Δx,Δy,Δz: Determinants formed by replacing the respective variable's coefficient column in A with the constant terms from B.
Conditions for Solutions:
Unique Solution: If Δ=0. (By Cramer's Rule, x=ΔΔx, y=ΔΔy, z=ΔΔz).
No Solution: If Δ=0 AND at least one of Δx,Δy,Δz is non-zero.
Infinitely Many Solutions: If Δ=0 AND Δx=Δy=Δz=0.
2. Step-by-Step Solution
The given system of linear equations is:
αx+y+zx+αy+zx+y+αz=1=1=β
Step 1: Calculate the Determinant of the Coefficient Matrix (Δ)
First, we write the coefficient matrix A and calculate its determinant Δ:
A=α111α111αΔ=α111α111α
To evaluate Δ, we can apply column operations to simplify it before expansion. Add C2 and C3 to C1: C1→C1+C2+C3.
Δ=α+2α+2α+21α111α
Factor out (α+2) from C1:
Δ=(α+2)1111α111α
Now, perform row operations: R2→R2−R1 and R3→R3−R1:
Δ=(α+2)1001α−1010α−1
This is an upper triangular matrix, so its determinant is the product of its diagonal elements:
Δ=(α+2)⋅1⋅(α−1)⋅(α−1)=(α+2)(α−1)2
The system will not have a unique solution if Δ=0, which occurs when (α+2)(α−1)2=0. This gives α=1 or α=−2. We will analyze the options using these critical values.
Step 2: Analyze Option (A)
Statement (A): It has infinitely many solutions if α=1 and β=1.
Check Δ: For α=1, Δ=(1+2)(1−1)2=3⋅02=0. This condition is necessary for infinitely many solutions.
Substitute α=1,β=1 into the system:1x+y+zx+1y+zx+y+1z=1=1=1
All three equations become identical: x+y+z=1. This represents a single plane in 3D space. A plane contains infinitely many points, so the system has infinitely many solutions.
Check Δx,Δy,Δz (optional but good for completeness):
For α=1,β=1:
Δx=111111111=0(Columns are identical)
Similarly, Δy=0 and Δz=0.
Conclusion: Since Δ=0 and Δx=Δy=Δz=0, the system has infinitely many solutions. Therefore, statement (A) is correct.
Step 3: Analyze Option (B)
Statement (B): It has infinitely many solutions if α=2 and β=−1.
Check Δ: For α=2, Δ=(2+2)(2−1)2=4⋅12=4.
Conclusion: Since Δ=4=0, the system has a unique solution (by Cramer's Rule), regardless of the value of β. It cannot have infinitely many solutions. Therefore, statement (B) is NOT correct.
Step 4: Analyze Option (C)
Statement (C): x+y+z=43 if α=2 and β=1.
Check Δ: For α=2, Δ=4=0. This ensures a unique solution exists.
Substitute α=2,β=1 into the system:2x+y+zx+2y+zx+y+2z=1=1=1(1)(2)(3)
Solve for x+y+z: Add equations (1), (2), and (3):
(2x+y+z)+(x+2y+z)+(x+y+2z)=1+1+1(2x+x+x)+(y+2y+y)+(z+z+2z)=34x+4y+4z=34(x+y+z)=3x+y+z=43
Conclusion: The sum x+y+z is indeed 43. Therefore, statement (C) is correct.
Step 5: Analyze Option (D)
Statement (D): It has no solution if α=−2 and β=1.
Check Δ: For α=−2, Δ=(−2+2)(−2−1)2=0⋅(−3)2=0. This condition is necessary for no solution.
Substitute α=−2,β=1 into the system:−2x+y+zx−2y+zx+y−2z=1=1=1
Check Δx: We need to calculate at least one of Δx,Δy,Δz. Let's calculate Δx:
Δx=1111−2111−2
Expand along the first row:
Δx=1((−2)(−2)−1⋅1)−1(1⋅(−2)−1⋅1)+1(1⋅1−(−2)⋅1)=1(4−1)−1(−2−1)+1(1+2)=1(3)−1(−3)+1(3)=3+3+3=9
Conclusion: Since Δ=0 and Δx=9=0, the system has no solution. Therefore, statement (D) is correct.
3. Common Mistakes & Tips
Determinant Calculation: Be careful with signs and arithmetic when calculating determinants. Using row/column operations can simplify the process and reduce errors.
Confusing Conditions: Clearly distinguish between the conditions for no solution (Δ=0, at least one Δi=0) and infinitely many solutions (Δ=0, and all Δx,Δy,Δz=0).
Symmetric Systems: For symmetric systems (like in Option C), adding all equations is often a quick way to find x+y+z.
System Consistency: Remember that if Δ=0, the system is always consistent and has a unique solution. Only when Δ=0 do we need to check Δx,Δy,Δz.
4. Summary
We systematically analyzed each option using the determinant method. We first calculated the determinant of the coefficient matrix, Δ=(α+2)(α−1)2, to identify the critical values of α. Then, we evaluated each statement:
Statement (A) was found to be correct, as for α=1,β=1, the system reduces to x+y+z=1, which has infinitely many solutions.
Statement (B) was found to be incorrect, as for α=2, Δ=0, implying a unique solution, not infinitely many.
Statement (C) was found to be correct, as for α=2,β=1, summing the equations directly yields x+y+z=3/4.
Statement (D) was found to be correct, as for α=−2,β=1, Δ=0 and Δx=0, indicating no solution.
The question asks for the statement that is NOT correct. Based on our analysis, statement (B) is the only incorrect statement.