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EEJ MAIN Mathematics
QUESTION #6021
Question 1
The system $x+ky+3z=0$, $3x+ky-2z=0$, $2x+4y-3z=0$ has a non-zero solution $(x,y,z)$. Find the value of $\dfrac{xz}{y^2}$.
Correct Answer Explanation
For non-zero solution, $\Delta=0$:
$\begin{vmatrix}1&k&3\\3&k&-2\\2&4&-3\end{vmatrix}=1(−3k+8)−k(−9+4)+3(12−2k)=−3k+8+5k+36−6k=44−4k=0$
So $k=11$.
With $k=11$: from equations 1 and 2: $x+11y+3z=0$ and $3x+11y-2z=0$. Subtracting: $2x-5z=0\Rightarrow x=\frac{5z}{2}$.
Substituting back: $\frac{5z}{2}+11y+3z=0\Rightarrow 11y=-\frac{11z}{2}\Rightarrow y=-\frac{z}{2}$.
$\frac{xz}{y^2}=\frac{\frac{5z}{2}\cdot z}{\frac{z^2}{4}}=\frac{\frac{5z^2}{2}}{\frac{z^2}{4}}=\frac{5}{2}\times4=\mathbf{10}$
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