The number of real values of $t$ such that the system of homogeneous equations $$ \begin{aligned} t x+(t+1)…

The number of real values of $t$ such that the system of homogeneous equations $$ \begin{aligned} t x+(t+1) y+(t-1) z & =0 \\ (t+1) x+t y+(t+2) z & =0 \\ (t-1) x+(t+2) y+t z & =0 \end{aligned} $$ has non-trivial solutions is
  1. $3$
  2. $2$
  3. $1$
  4. None of these

Solution

Given, $ \begin{aligned} & t x+(t+1) y+(t-1) z=0 \\ & (t+1) x+t y+(t+2) z=0 \\ & (t-1) x+(t+2) y+t z=0 \end{aligned} $ Here, Coefficient matrix, $A=\left[\begin{array}{ccc}t & t+1 & t-1 \\ t+1 & t & t+2 \\ t-1 & t+2 & t\end{array}\right]$ If $|A|=0$, then system of equations has non-trivial solution and it has infinite solutions. $ |A|=\left|\begin{array}{ccc} t & t+1 & t-1 \\ t+1 & t & t+2 \\ t-1 & t+2 & t \end{array}\right|=0 $ Apply operation $R_2 \rightarrow R_2-R_1, R_3 \rightarrow R_3-R_1$, we get $ =\left|\begin{array}{ccc} t & t+1 & t-1 \\ 1 & -1 & 3 \\ -1 & 1 & 1 \end{array}\right|=0 $ Apply $C_2 \rightarrow C_2-C_1, C_3 \rightarrow C_3-C_1$, we get $ \left|\begin{array}{crr} t & 1 & -1 \\ 1 & -2 & 2 \\ -1 & 2 & 2 \end{array}\right|=0 $ Expanding along $R_1$, we get $ \begin{array}{rlrl} & & t(-4-4)-1(2+2)-1(2-2)=0 \\ & \Rightarrow & & -8 t-4=0 \\ \therefore & & t=\frac{-1}{2} \end{array} $ So, no option is correct

Asked in: AP EAMCET 2013

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