In general, a linear equation in three variables x,y,z has the form Ax+By+Cz=D (where A,B,C,D are some constants) and geometrically corresponds to a plane in 3D. Graphically, the solution of a system of two linear equations in three variables CANNOT be?

empty
a plane
one point
a line

2 Answers
Sep 22, 2017

A point.

Explanation:

The graphical "solution" is the intersection of the two planes. A "solution" would imply that it isn't "empty" to me, but that would be a possible outcome of the equations. It could also be a plane, if the two functions are in fact identical. Most commonly, a realistic solution is the line defined by the intersection of one plane through another.

Sep 22, 2017

a plane

Explanation:

The solution of two lines in RR^3

L_1 -> p=p_1+lambda_1 vec v_1
L_2->p=p_2+lambda_2 vec v_2

is given by the solutions for

p=p_1+lambda_1 vec v_1=p_2+lambda_2 vec v_2

Also L_1, L_2 can be coincident for instance when

p_2 = p_1 + lambda_1 vec v_2 and vec v_2 = mu vec v_1

and also they can be non intersecting.

The answer is a plane