1957 AHSME Problems/Problem 41

Problem

Given the system of equations $ax + (a - 1)y = 1$ $(a + 1)x - ay = 1$ For which one of the following values of $a$ is there no solution $x$ and $y$ ?

$\textbf{(A)}\ 1\qquad \textbf{(B)}\ 0\qquad \textbf{(C)}\ - 1\qquad \textbf{(D)}\ \frac {\pm \sqrt {2}}{2}\qquad \textbf{(E)}\ \pm\sqrt{2}$

$\boxed{\textbf{(D) }\frac{\pm \sqrt2}2}$ .

1957 AHSC (Problems • Answer Key • Resources)
Preceded by Problem 40	Followed by Problem 42
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