Join 60,000+ competitive exam aspirants
If a pair of linear equations is consistent, then the lines will be:
intersecting or coincident
always intersecting
always coincident
parallel
intersecting or coincident
A system is consistent if it has at least one solution; consistent independent lines intersect at a point, and consistent dependent (coincident) lines intersect at infinitely many points.
A pair of linear equations is stated to be consistent.
a1тАЛx+b1тАЛy+c1тАЛ=0,a2тАЛx+b2тАЛy+c2тАЛ=0
A system is consistent if it has at least one solution; consistent independent lines intersect at a point, and consistent dependent (coincident) lines intersect at infinitely many points.
Students often confuse 'consistent' (at least one solution) with 'dependent' (infinitely many solutions). Remember: Consistent = Intersecting OR Coincident.
Define Consistency
A pair of linear equations is consistent if it has at least one common solution (point of intersection).
ConsistentтЯ╣Solution┬аExists
Identify Types of Consistent Lines
Two types of lines provide consistent solutions: 1) Intersecting lines (unique solution) and 2) Coincident lines (infinitely many solutions).
a2тАЛa1тАЛтАЛюАа=b2тАЛb1тАЛтАЛ┬а(Intersecting)┬аOR┬аa2тАЛa1тАЛтАЛ=b2тАЛb1тАЛтАЛ=c2тАЛc1тАЛтАЛ┬а(Coincident)
Conclusion
Since consistent systems cover both scenarios, the lines must be either intersecting or coincident.
Consistent=IntersectingтИкCoincident
A is correct because a consistent pair of linear equations indicates the existence of at least one solution, which occurs when lines intersect at a point or lie on top of each other (coincident).
Consistency is also tested in matrix algebra (Rank consistency method); remember that inconsistent systems are always parallel lines with no solution.