Consistent and Dependent Systems
The two equations and , form a system of equations . The ordered pair that is the solution of both equations is the solution of the system.
A system of two linear equations can have one solution, an infinite number of solutions, or no solution. Systems of equations can be classified by the number of solutions.
If a system has at least one solution, it is said to be consistent .
If a consistent system has exactly one solution, it is independent .
If a consistent system has an infinite number of solutions, it is dependent . When you graph the equations, both equations represent the same line.
If a system has no solution, it is said to be inconsistent . The graphs of the lines do not intersect, so the graphs are parallel and there is no solution.
