Question

VOCABULARY The solution of a system of three linear equations is expressed as a(n)________.

Short answer

The solution of a system of three linear equations is expressed as an 'ordered triple' or a 'point'.

Step-by-step solution

Understanding of Key Terms

Firstly, it should be understood that a 'system of linear equations' is a collection of one or more linear equations involving the same variables. The 'solution' to this system of equations is the set of values that makes all the equations in the system true. In the context of three linear equations, this means finding values for three variables (typically \(x\), \(y\), and \(z\)) that satisfy all three equations simultaneously.

Identifying the Solution Term

Now, knowing what the solution of a system of linear equations represents, it can be identified that the solution can be expressed as a 'point' or an 'ordered triple' in a three-dimensional space. The solution of a system of three linear equations is the point where all three planes (each equation can be represented as a plane in three-dimensional space) intersect.

Key concepts

Solution of System of Equations

A system of equations is a set of two or more equations with the same variables. The solution to such a system is a set of values that satisfy all equations at the same time. In the case of three linear equations involving three variables, the solution is particularly interesting. Here, the goal is to find values for each of these variables that work for all three equations. These values represent a single point in three-dimensional space where the equations intersect. When dealing with systems of equations, it's important to remember:

• The solution represents a single point where all equations are true.
• If there is no such point, the system is considered inconsistent and has no solution.
• A solution represents where the graphs of the equations intersect.

Understanding the concept of a solution allows us to properly identify if the equations in question are compatible or contradictory.

Ordered Triple

An ordered triple refers to a set of three numbers in a specific order, often written as \(x, y, z\). In the context of systems of linear equations in three variables, this ordered triple is the solution that satisfies all three equations. Imagine plotting these equations in 3D space; the ordered triple corresponds to the coordinates of the point where the planes intersect. In mathematics, the order is crucial because changing the order of the numbers changes what point you’re referring to in space. Thus:

• \(x\) represents the position along the X-axis.
• \(y\) represents the position along the Y-axis.
• \(z\) represents the position along the Z-axis.

So, when the ordered triple \(2, 3, 5\) is a solution to a system, it means at the coordinate (2, 3, 5), all equations are true. Knowing how to work with ordered triples is key to solving systems of linear equations in three variables.

Linear Equations in Three Variables

Linear equations in three variables can be visualized as planes in three-dimensional space, with each equation forming its own plane. These equations are typically expressed in the form \(ax + by + cz = d\), where \(a, b, c\), and \(d\) are constants. For a system of equations to have a solution, the planes must intersect at a single point, which forms the ordered triple.

• If all three planes intersect at a single point, the system has a unique solution.
• If the planes are parallel and do not intersect, the system has no solution.
• If the planes intersect along a line, or two of the planes are the same, there are infinitely many solutions.

Understanding these properties of linear equations in three variables helps visualize how solutions are derived, and what it means for the equations to relate to each other in space.