Question

Describe in your own words the characteristics of linear equations that determine whether a system of linear equations will be Intersecting, Parallel, or Coincident? (2 points, 0.5 for clarity of response, 0.5 for each type of system (intersecting, parallel, and coincident)).

Answer 1

Step-by-step explanation:

i) An intersecting system of linear equations

A system of linear equations comprises of two or more linear equations. Linear equations are simply straight line equations with a given slope and a unique y-intercept .

Solutions to systems of linear equations can be determined using a number of techniques among them being;

Elimination method

Substitution method

Graphical method

The graphs of a system of linear equations will intersect at a unique single point if the lines are not parallel.

An example of intersecting system of linear equations;

y = 2x -5 and y =5x + 4

The two lines will intersect at a particular single point since the slopes are not identical. The attachment below demonstrates this aspect.

ii) A parallel system of linear equations

Two lines are said to be parallel if they have an identical slope but unique y-intercepts. Parallel lines never intersect at any given point since the perpendicular distance between them is always constant.

Thus a parallel system of linear equations has no solution. An example of parallel system of linear equations;

y = 3x - 4 and y = 3x + 8

The attachment below demonstrates this aspect.

iii) A coincident system of linear equations

A system of linear equations is said to be coincident if the two straight lines are identical. That is the lines have an identical slope and y-intercept. Basically, we are just looking at the same line. Two parallel lines can also intersect if they are coincident, which means they are the same line and they intersect at every point.

Therefore, this system of linear equations will have an infinite number of solutions.