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If it is a linear system, then it could have either 1 solution, no solutions, or infinite solutions. To understand this, think of two lines (consider a plane which is just 2 dimensional - this represents 2 variables and 2 equations, but the idea can be extended to more dimensions).

If the 2 lines intersect at a point, then that point represents a solution. If the lines are parallel, then they never intersect, and there is no solution. If the equations are such that they are just different ways of describing the same line, then they intersect at every point, so there are infinite solutions. If you have more than 2 lines then maybe some of them will intersect, but this is not a solution for the whole system. If all lines intersect at a single point, then that is the single solution for the whole system.

If you have equations that describe something other than a straight line, then it's possible that they may intersect in more than one point.

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Q: Why do some systems of equations have one solution?
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Why a system of linear equations cannot have exactly two solutions?

A system of linear equations can only have: no solution, one solution, or infinitely many solutions.


What is the solution to a linear equation?

The solution to a system on linear equations in nunknown variables are ordered n-tuples such that their values satisfy each of the equations in the system. There need not be a solution or there can be more than one solutions.


Translate this word problem as a system of equations and then solve using substitution?

A system of equations is two or more equations that share at least one variable. Once you have determined your equations, solve for one of the variables and substitute in that solution to the other equation.


What are equations with the same solution?

Equations with the same solution are called dependent equations, which are equations that represent the same line; therefore every point on the line of a dependent equation represents a solution. Since there is an infinite number of points on a line, there is an infinite number of simultaneous solutions. For example, 2x + y = 8 4x + 2y = 16 These equations are dependent. Since they represent the same line, all points that satisfy either of the equations are solutions of the system. A system of linear equations is consistent if there is only one solution for the system. A system of linear equations is inconsistent if it does not have any solutions.


Does every pair of linear simultaneous equations have a solution?

Actually not. Two linear equations have either one solution, no solution, or many solutions, all depends on the slope of the equations and their intercepts. If the two lines have different slopes, then there will be only one solution. If they have the same slope and the same intercept, then these two lines are dependent and there will be many solutions (infinite solutions). When the lines have the same slope but they have different intercept, then there will be no point of intersection and hence, they do not have a solution.

Related questions

Systems of equations have one solution?

Systems of equations can have just about any number of solutions: zero, one, two, etc., or even infinitely many solutions.


When equations of linear systems have different slopes how many solutions does it have?

One solution


A system of equations with exactly one solution?

A system of equations with exactly one solution intersects at a singular point, and none of the equations in the system (if lines) are parallel.


If a system of equations is independent how many soultions will it have?

A system of equations may have any amount of solutions. If the equations are linear, the system will have either no solution, one solution, or an infinite number of solutions. If the equations are linear AND there are as many equations as variables, AND they are independent, the system will have exactly one solution.


What does the solution represent when a system of equations has a single solution?

The graphs of the two equations have only one intersection point.


How do you know if a system has one solution?

If the equations or inequalities have the same slope, they have no solution or infinite solutions. If the equations/inequalities have different slopes, the system has only one solution.


What is the situation when two linear inequalities have no common solution?

To solve a system means to find the x- and y-values for which both of the equations are true. Systems of linear equations can be solved using a variety of methods. One method is to graph the equations as two lines and examine them. If the lines intersect at exactly one point, there is one solution to the system, and the system is called consistent. If the two lines are on top of one another, there are an infinite number of solutions, because each point on the line is considered a solution (this system is called dependent). If the two lines are parallel, there is no solution (this system is called inconsistent). To solve a system means to find the x- and y-values for which both of the equations are true. Systems of linear equations can be solved using a variety of methods. One method is to graph the equations as two lines and examine them. If the lines intersect at exactly one point, there is one solution to the system, and the system is called consistent. If the two lines are on top of one another, there are an infinite number of solutions, because each point on the line is considered a solution (this system is called dependent). If the two lines are parallel, there is no solution (this system is called inconsistent). To solve a system means to find the x- and y-values for which both of the equations are true. Systems of linear equations can be solved using a variety of methods. One method is to graph the equations as two lines and examine them. If the lines intersect at exactly one point, there is one solution to the system, and the system is called consistent. If the two lines are on top of one another, there are an infinite number of solutions, because each point on the line is considered a solution (this system is called dependent). If the two lines are parallel, there is no solution (this system is called inconsistent). To solve a system means to find the x- and y-values for which both of the equations are true. Systems of linear equations can be solved using a variety of methods. One method is to graph the equations as two lines and examine them. If the lines intersect at exactly one point, there is one solution to the system, and the system is called consistent. If the two lines are on top of one another, there are an infinite number of solutions, because each point on the line is considered a solution (this system is called dependent). If the two lines are parallel, there is no solution (this system is called inconsistent).


When does a system of linear equations in two variables have a unique or one solution?

simultaneous equations


How will a system of equations that has one solution be graphed?

They will be a set of lines meeting at one point - the solution.


System of equations in slope-intercept form that has one solution Using complete sentences explain why this system has one solution?

Provide a system of equations in slope-intercept form that has one solution. Using complete sentences, explain why this system has one solution.


What is a set of equations in the same variables?

It is a set of equations, which is also called a system of equations. There may be no solution, a single (unique) solution or more than one - including infinitely many.


How do you check a solution to a system of equations?

Put the values that you find (as the solution) back into one (or more) of the original equations and evaluate them. If they remain true then the solution checks out. If one equation does not contain all the variables involved in the system, you may have to repeat with another of the original equations.