AlgebraVery hardPositive constant making two lines parallel but distinct
Algebra practice question
In the xy-plane, the lines kx + 2y = 6 and 2x + ky = 8 are parallel and distinct, where k is a positive constant. What is the value of k?
Answer: 2
Slopes: −k/2 and −2/k. Parallel means −k/2 = −2/k, so k² = 4 and k = 2 (positive). With k = 2 the lines are y = −x + 3 and y = −x + 4, which are distinct.
Common wrong answers
- If you answered 1
- 1 gives slopes −1/2 and −2, which are not equal.
- If you answered 4
- 4 is k², not k.
- If you answered -2
- −2 also makes the slopes equal but is not positive.
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