How can a system of equations have no solution?

1 Answer
Nov 18, 2014

It is possible for a system of equations to have no solution because a point on a coordinate graph to solve the equation may not exist.

This concept may seem hard to understand at first, but if you think about it, it comes easily!

The only way this can happen is if there is no intersection point, as this point would be the answer. And of course, if there is no intersection, then the lines are parallel.

Here's an example:

#y=4x+19#
#y=4x+7#

Here, the slopes are the same, so the lines are parallel and never intersect. That being said, there is no solution to this problem!

Hope this helps!