What is a consistent linear system?
Explanation for a consistent linear system:
A system of linear equations is called a consistent linear system if at least one solution set exists that satisfies all linear equations.
Consider, as a system of two linear equations, where and are constants; and are variables.
Then, and represent a consistent linear system; represent an inconsistent linear system.
The three cases for a system of linear equations:
Case :
Here,
It is clear that,
.
Hence, the system of the linear equations is consistent and has a unique solution.
Hence intersected lines are represented by the system of these two linear equations.
Case :
Here,
It is clear that .
Hence, the system of linear equations is consistent and has infinitely many solutions.
Hence, two coincided lines are represented by the system of these two linear equations.
Case :
Here,
It is clear that .
Hence, the system of linear equations is not a consistent linear system as it has no solution.
Hence, two parallel lines are represented by the system of these two linear equations.
The first two cases represent a consistent linear system and the last case represents an inconsistent linear system.
Therefore, a consistent linear system is one that has at least one solution set satisfying all linear equations in the system.