# find the values of a and b for which the following system is consistent

find the values of $a$ and $b$ for which the following system is consistent

$x+ y-z+w=1$

$ax+y+z+w=b$

$3x+2y+aw=1+a$

Note: I have been using gauss elimination, but I got confused when completed "power-1" in the 3rd line

how to move in column 4?

I feel the value that can be entered is a $2$ and $a=1$, but I do not have proof for that

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 im sorry i mean i feel the value is a isn't 1 or 2... im sorry for my bad english – Zuhair Oct 27 '12 at 15:35 What do you mean by "power-1$? – Kevin Carlson Oct 27 '12 at 16:18 ## 1 Answer We have the augmented matrix $$\left[\begin{array}{cccc|c} 1&1&-1&1&1\\ a&1&1&1&b\\ 3&2&0&a&1+a \end{array}\right]\;.$$ Subtracting$a$times the first row from the second row and$3$times the first row from the third row gives us this matrix: $$\left[\begin{array}{cccc|c} 1&1&-1&1&1\\ 0&1-a&1+a&1-a&b-a\\ 0&-1&3&a-3&a-2 \end{array}\right]\;.$$ Interchange the last two rows and multiply the new middle row by$-1$: $$\left[\begin{array}{cccc|c} 1&1&-1&1&1\\ 0&1&-3&3-a&2-a\\ 0&1-a&1+a&1-a&b-a\\ \end{array}\right]\;.$$ Subtract$1-a$times the second row from the third row: $$\left[\begin{array}{cccc|c} 1&1&-1&1&1\\ 0&1&-3&3-a&2-a\\ 0&0&4-2a&-a^2+3a-2&b-a^2+2a-2\\ \end{array}\right]\;.$$ If$a\ne 2$, then$4-2a\ne 0$, and we can pivot on$4-2a$to complete the Gaussian elimination, and the system will be consistent. If$a=2$, the matrix is $$\left[\begin{array}{cccc|c} 1&1&-1&1&1\\ 0&1&-3&1&0\\ 0&0&0&0&b-2\\ \end{array}\right]\;,$$ which is consistent if and only if$b=2$. Thus, the system is consistent when$a\ne 2$, and it is consistent when$a=b=2\$.

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 thank you for your solution... :) – Zuhair Oct 27 '12 at 22:22