Each of the equations in the given system of equations represents a straight line. The solution of the system of equations is the point at which the lines intersect.
The system of equations does not have a solution if the two lines are parallel to each other. They can be expressed in the slope intercept form as follows:
3x + by + c = 0
=> `y = (-3/b)x - c/b`
ax - 8y + 9 = 0
=> `y = (a/8)x + 9/8`
The slope of the lines is equal if `-3/b = a/8 => a*b = -24` .
a and b can take on an infinite number of values for which the given equations do not have a solution. The product a*b should be equal to -24.
See eNotes Ad-Free
Start your 48-hour free trial to get access to more than 30,000 additional guides and more than 350,000 Homework Help questions answered by our experts.
Already a member? Log in here.