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algebra intermediate

Problem

Suppose is a constant, such that no pair of real numbers satisfies this system of equations:

What is the value of ?
Solution
A system of linear equations won't have a solution if the two equations in the system contradict each other. Multiplying the first equation by 2, we get the equations If then the two equations contradict each other. Otherwise, we can subtract them to get We can solve this equation to find then substitute to find

So the value of for which the system has no solution is
Final answer
12