For certain values of k and m, the system
3a + 2b = 2
a + 2b = k - 8a - mb
has infinitely many solutions (a,b). What are k and m?
The only way for the system to have infinitely solutions is where we have two exactly congruent equations.
We first notice that we have
6a+2b=k+3a+mb
Subtracting 3a from both sides will achieve us the same exact left sides of the equations. We have
3a+2b=23a+2b=k+mb
Setting the right sides of the equation to equal each other, we have
k+mb=2
Now, let's note that if m was any number other than 0, the two equations would fail to match each other. Therefore, m must be 0.
For this value of m, we have k is 2. So we have
m=0k=2
So our final answer is m = 0 and k = 2.
Thanks! :)