Question:
If the system of linear equations
$2 x+2 a y+a z=0$
$2 x+3 b y+b z=0$
$2 x+4 c y+c z=0$
where $a, b, c \in \boldsymbol{R}$ are non-zero and distinct; has a non-zero solution, then:
Correct Option: 1
Solution:
For non-zero solution
$\left|\begin{array}{lll}2 & 2 a & a \\ 2 & 3 b & b \\ 2 & 4 c & c\end{array}\right|=0$
$\Rightarrow\left|\begin{array}{lll}1 & 2 a & a \\ 1 & 3 b & b \\ 1 & 4 c & c\end{array}\right|=0$
$\Rightarrow(3 b c-4 b c)-(2 a c-4 a c)+(2 a b-3 a b)=0$
$\Rightarrow-b c+2 a c-a b=0$
$\Rightarrow a b+b c+2 a c$
$\Rightarrow \quad \frac{2}{b}=\frac{1}{a}+\frac{1}{c}$
$\Rightarrow \frac{1}{a}, \frac{1}{b}, \frac{1}{c}$ in A.P.