Question 12-x-1
How many solutions does the given system of equations have?
Exactly one
Exactly two
Infinitely many
Zero
- 12 x + 14 y = 36 - 6 x + 7 y = -
Hard-difficulty · SAT Math · Systems of Two Linear Equations — No-solution and infinite-solution cases. Read the question above, select your answer, and check the full explanation below to understand exactly why the correct choice works.
Answer explanation
Choice D is correct. A system of two linear equations in two variables, and , has zero solutions if the lines representing the equations in the xy-plane are distinct and parallel. Two lines are distinct and parallel if they have the same slope but different y-intercepts. Each equation in the given system can be written in slope-intercept form , where is the slope of the line representing the equation in the xy-plane and is the y-intercept. Adding to both sides of the first equation in the given system of equations, , yields . Dividing both sides of this equation by yields . It follows that the first equation in the given system of equations has a slope of and a y-intercept of . Adding to both sides of the second equation in the given system of equations, , yields . Dividing both sides of this equation by yields . It follows that the second equation in the given system of equations has a slope of and a y-intercept of . Since the slopes of these lines are the same and the y-intercepts are different, it follows that the given system of equations has zero solutions.
Alternate approach: To solve the system by elimination, multiplying the second equation in the given system of equations, , by yields . Adding this equation to the first equation in the given system of equations, , yields , or . Since this equation isn't true, the given system of equations has zero solutions.
Choice A is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.
Choice B is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.
Choice C is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.
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