Linear equation in 3 variable - When two eq are same

Rarely Tested

Given a system of three linear equations in three variables:

$$a_1x + b_1y + c_1z = d_1$$
$$a_2x + b_2y + c_2z = d_2 $$
$$a_3x + b_3y + c_3z = d_3$$

Suppose two equations represent the same line, i.e., one is a multiple of the other:

$$a_2 = k a_1,\quad b_2 = k b_1,\quad c_2 = k c_1,\quad d_2 = k d_1 \quad (k \neq 0)$$

Since two of the three equations are the same, they together act as only one equation.
Hence, the system effectively has only two independent equations in three variables.

$$\boxed{\text{Therefore, the system does not have a unique solution.}}$$

Question 1

If the system of linear equations
$$2x+ y+7z = a$$
$$6x-2y+11z = b$$
$$2x-y+3z = c$$ 
has infinite number of solutions, then $$a, b, c$$ must satisfy

Go back to topics

Join CAT 2026 course by 5-Time CAT 100%iler

Crack CAT 2026 & Other Exams with Cracku!