16Hit1600
AlgebraVery hardConstant for infinitely many solutions

Algebra practice question

The system ax + 6y = 12 and 2x + 3y = 6, where a is a constant, has infinitely many solutions. What is the value of a?

Answer: 4

For infinitely many solutions the equations must be multiples: 12/6 = 6/3 = 2, so a/2 = 2 and a = 4.

Common wrong answers

If you answered 1
1 divides the wrong way.
If you answered 2
2 would make the x-coefficients equal but not the whole equation a multiple.
If you answered 6
6 copies the y-coefficient.

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