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A consistent system with more variables than equations has infinitely many solutions.

Created over 8 years ago, updated 24 days ago

Theorem: If a consistent linear system has more variables than equations ($n > m$), then it has infinitely many solutions.

Why: The echelon form of the coefficient matrix $A$ ($m \times n$) can have at most $m$ pivot positions (one per row). Since $n > m$, there must be at least $n - m > 0$ free variables. A consistent system with at least one free variable has infinitely many solutions.

Example:
$$\begin{cases} x + y + z = 3 \\ 2x - y + z = 1 \end{cases}$$

2 equations, 3 variables ($n = 3 > m = 2$) → at least 1 free variable → infinitely many solutions.

Note: This applies to both homogeneous and nonhomogeneous systems, as long as the system is consistent.