Independent, Inconsistent, and Dependent Systems of Equations
There are three possible ways in which two lines can be
positioned in a plane. The lines might intersect in a single point. In this case
we say that the equations are independent or the system is independent. If the two
lines are parallel, then there is no solution to the system, and the
equations are inconsistent or the system is inconsistent. If the two equations of a
system are equivalent, the equations are dependent or the system
is dependent.
The next figure shows the types of graphs that correspond to independent,
inconsistent, and dependent systems.
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Independent |
Inconsistent |
Dependent |
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