MathDB
System of Equations

Source:

June 8, 2009
algebrasystem of equations

Problem Statement

Given the system of equations ax \plus{} (a \minus{} 1)y \equal{} 1 \\ (a \plus{} 1)x \minus{} ay \equal{} 1. For which one of the following values of a a is there no solution x x and y y? (A)\ 1\qquad (B)\ 0\qquad (C)\ \minus{} 1\qquad (D)\ \frac {\pm \sqrt {2}}{2}\qquad (E)\ \pm\sqrt {2}