NCERT Exemplar Solutions
Class 10 - Mathematics - CHAPTER 3: Pair of Linear Equations in Two Variables - Exercise 3.3
Question 2

Question. 2

For which value(s) of \(k\) will the pair of equations \(kx + 3y = k - 3\) and \(12x + ky = k\) have no solution?

Answer:

\(k = -6\).

Detailed Answer with Explanation:

Standard form:

\(kx + 3y - (k - 3) = 0\)

\(12x + ky - k = 0\)

For no solution: \(\dfrac{a_1}{a_2} = \dfrac{b_1}{b_2} \ne \dfrac{c_1}{c_2}\).

First two ratios equal when

\(\dfrac{k}{12} = \dfrac{3}{k}\Rightarrow k^2 = 36\Rightarrow k = \pm 6\).

Check constants ratio \(\dfrac{c_1}{c_2} = \dfrac{-(k-3)}{-k} = \dfrac{k-3}{k}\).

For \(k = 6\): all three ratios are \(\dfrac{1}{2}\) ⇒ coincident, not “no solution”.

For \(k = -6\): the first two ratios are \(-\dfrac{1}{2}\) but \(\dfrac{c_1}{c_2} = \dfrac{3}{2}\).

Hence unequal ⇒ parallel distinct lines ⇒ no solution.

NCERT Exemplar Solutions Class 10 – Mathematics – CHAPTER 3: Pair of Linear Equations in Two Variables – Exercise 3.3 | Detailed Answers