Need help with question: linear eqn & homogenous soln

sigma

Junior Member
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Feb 19, 2006
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106
Need help with this following question. Sorry if its long.

Consider the linear equation ax+by+cz = d (1) and the associated homogeneous equation ax+by+cz =0. (2)

Let (x1,y1 ,z1 ) and (x2 ,y2 ,z2 ) be two solutions to equation (1)
and let (x0 ,y0 ,z0 ) be a solution to equation (2).

a. Show that (x0 +x1,y0 +y1,z0 +z1) is a solution to equation (1).
b. Show that (x2 −x1,y2 −y1,z2 −z1) is a solution to equation (2).
c. Let k be any real number. Show that (kx0,ky0 ,kz0 ) is a solution to equation (2).

I'm not sure where to begin. I know that you have to show somehow that the solutions they give in a, b and c equal the same solutions for equation 1 or equation 2 but how do you do that? Do you set up some sorta matrix to show this? Just don't know where to begin with this question.
 
for part (a) ...

\(\displaystyle ax_1 + by_1 + cz_1 = d\)
\(\displaystyle ax_0 + by_0 + cz_0 = 0\)

add the two equations together ...

\(\displaystyle a(x_0+x_1) + b(y_0+y_1) + c(z_0+z_1) = d\)

so ... what does that say about \(\displaystyle (x_0+x_1)\), \(\displaystyle (y_0+y_1)\), and \(\displaystyle (z_0+ z_1)\) ?

now ... how would you use the same general method for part (b)?

hint for part (c) ... factor out a "k"
 
skeeter said:
for part (a) ...

so ... what does that say about \(\displaystyle (x_0+x_1)\), \(\displaystyle (y_0+y_1)\), and \(\displaystyle (z_0+ z_1)\) ?

That it equals a solution to equation (1)? Is that all you show? How come when you set up the 2 equations the first one is equation 1 (uses "= d") and the second is equation 2 (uses "= 0")? Aren't they only asking for equation 1?

skeeter said:
now ... how would you use the same general method for part (b)?

Do the same thing in (a) except subtract the 2 equations? Here's what I did.

\(\displaystyle \
\L\
\begin{array}{l}
ax_2 + by_2 + cz_2 = 0 \\
ax_1 + by_1 + cz_1 = 0 \\
\\
a(x_2 - x_1 ) + b(y_2 - y_1 ) + c(z_2 - z_1 ) = 0 \\
\end{array}
\\)

Therefore this equals a solution to equation 2?

skeeter said:
hint for part (c) ... factor out a "k"

The only thing I can think of is factoring out the k and then you have this:

\(\displaystyle \
\L\
k(x_0 , y_0 , z_0 ) = 0
\\)

Which equals a solution to equation 2? Just seems like there should be more.
 
sigma said:
skeeter said:
for part (a) ...

so ... what does that say about \(\displaystyle (x_0+x_1)\), \(\displaystyle (y_0+y_1)\), and \(\displaystyle (z_0+ z_1)\) ?

That it equals a solution to equation (1)? yesIs that all you show? yes, againHow come when you set up the 2 equations the first one is equation 1 (uses "= d") and the second is equation 2 (uses "= 0")? Aren't they only asking for equation 1?look at the form for equation 1 ... that is what we ended up with

skeeter said:
now ... how would you use the same general method for part (b)?

Do the same thing in (a) except subtract the 2 equations? Here's what I did.

\(\displaystyle \
\L\
\begin{array}{l}
ax_2 + by_2 + cz_2 = 0 \\
ax_1 + by_1 + cz_1 = 0 \\
\\
a(x_2 - x_1 ) + b(y_2 - y_1 ) + c(z_2 - z_1 ) = 0 \\
\end{array}
\\)

Therefore this equals a solution to equation 2?gee... you're batting 1000

skeeter said:
hint for part (c) ... factor out a "k"

The only thing I can think of is factoring out the k and then you have this:

\(\displaystyle \
\L\
k(x_0 , y_0 , z_0 ) = 0
\\)

Which equals a solution to equation 2? Just seems like there should be more.there is more, see below.

Let k be any real number. Show that (kx0,ky0 ,kz0 ) is a solution to equation (2).

\(\displaystyle a(kx_0) + b(ky_0) + c(kz_0) =\)
\(\displaystyle k(ax_0 + by_0 + cz_0) = k(0) = 0\)

so ... \(\displaystyle (kx_0, ky_0, kz_0)\) is a solution for equation 2.
 
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