Verified Answer :

  • We rewrite the second equation to solve for \(x\) in terms of \(y\) and \(f\): \(x = -2fy - 1\).
  • Substituting this into the first equation leads to the simplified equation \(y(4 - 6f) = 0\).
  • If \(f eq \frac{2}{3}\), the only solution is \(y = 0\), which gives \(x = -1\).
  • If \(f = \frac{2}{3}\), the system is dependent and has infinitely many solutions of the form \(\left(-\frac{4}{3}y - 1, y\right)\).
  • Final Answer: \(\boxed{f eq \frac{2}{3}: (-1, 0); f = \frac{2}{3}: \left(-\frac{4}{3}y - 1, y\right)}\)

Explanation

  1. Analyzing the System of Equations

We are given a system of two linear equations in variables \(x\) and \(y\), with \(f\) acting as a parameter:

  1. \(3x + 4y = -3\)
  2. \(fy = \frac{-x - 1}{2}\)

Our goal is to solve for \(x\) and \(y\) in terms of the parameter \(f\). We will use the method of substitution to eliminate one of the variables.

  1. Substitution and Simplification

We begin by isolating one variable in the second equation. Multiply both sides of the second equation by 2 to clear the fraction:
\[2fy = -x - 1\]
Next, solve for \(x\):
\[x = -2fy - 1\]
Now, substitute this expression for \(x\) into the first equation:
\[3(-2fy - 1) + 4y = -3\]

  1. Solving for y

Expand the substituted equation:
\[-6fy - 3 + 4y = -3\]
Group the terms involving \(y\):
\[-6fy + 4y - 3 = -3\]
Add 3 to both sides to simplify:
\[-6fy + 4y = 0\]
Factor out \(y\):
\[y(4 - 6f) = 0\]
This equation shows that the product of \(y\) and \((4 - 6f)\) must be zero. This gives us two distinct scenarios based on the value of the parameter \(f\).

  1. Analyzing Cases for Parameter f

Case 1: If \(4 - 6f eq 0\), which is equivalent to \(f eq \frac{2}{3}\), then the only solution for \(y\) is \(y = 0\).
Substituting \(y = 0\) back into our expression for \(x\):
\[x = -2f(0) - 1 = -1\]
Thus, for \(f eq \frac{2}{3}\), the unique solution is \((x, y) = (-1, 0)\).

Case 2: If \(f = \frac{2}{3}\), then the equation becomes \(y(0) = 0\), which is true for any real number \(y\).
Substituting \(f = \frac{2}{3}\) back into the expression \(x = -2fy - 1\):
\[x = -2\left(\frac{2}{3}\right)y - 1 = -\frac{4}{3}y - 1\]
In this case, there are infinitely many solutions of the form \(\left(-\frac{4}{3}y - 1, y\right)\) for any real number \(y\).

  1. Conclusion

In summary, we have solved the system of equations. For \(f eq \frac{2}{3}\), the solution is \(\boxed{(-1, 0)}\). For \(f = \frac{2}{3}\), the solutions are \(\boxed{\left(-\frac{4}{3}y - 1, y\right)}\) for any \(y \in \mathbb{R}\).

Examples

This type of system of equations appears frequently in engineering when analyzing control systems. The parameter \(f\) might represent a gain or feedback value. When \(f\) is not at a critical value (in this case \(\frac{2}{3}\)), the system reaches a single steady state. When \(f\) hits that critical point, the system might become unstable or have an infinite set of equilibrium points, which is vital for engineers to understand to design safe and robust systems.