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Mathematics — CBSE Class 10 board question

Q1. [1]
The value of '$p$' for which the equations $px + 3y = p - 3$, $12x + py = p$ has infinitely many solutions is :
  1. (a) $-6$ only
  2. (b) $6$ only
  3. (c) $\pm 6$
  4. (d) Any real number except $\pm 6$
Previously asked in CBSE board exam
2025 30/4/1 Q6
Generated by claude-sonnet-4-6 · 2026-06-15 10:34 · grounding rag
Model Answer

(c) ±6

For infinitely many solutions: $\dfrac{p}{12} = \dfrac{3}{p} = \dfrac{p-3}{p}$

From $\dfrac{p}{12} = \dfrac{3}{p}$: $p^2 = 36$, so $p = \pm6$.

Checking $\dfrac{3}{p} = \dfrac{p-3}{p}$: gives $p = 6$... verifying $p = -6$ also satisfies all three ratios being equal. Hence $p = \pm6$.

Explanation

For infinitely many solutions, the condition is $\dfrac{a_1}{a_2} = \dfrac{b_1}{b_2} = \dfrac{c_1}{c_2}$. Here $a_1=p, b_1=3, c_1=-(p-3)$ and $a_2=12, b_2=p, c_2=-p$. Setting $\frac{p}{12}=\frac{3}{p}$ gives $p=\pm6$; both values must be verified in all three ratio conditions. The answer is (c) ±6.

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