To show no solution exists, examine the augmented matrix's row operations. When \( a = b = c = 1 \), performing Gaussian elimination reveals an inconsistent system (a row showing 0 = 1). For many solutions with \( a = b^2 = c = 1 \), substituting \( a = b^2 = 1 \) into the equations shows the system becomes consistent with dependent equations, indicating infinite solutions.

For the system to have a unique solution, the coefficients must form a linearly independent set, meaning the determinant of the coefficient matrix must be non-zero. If \( a = 2 \) and \( b = 4 \), the system becomes linearly dependent and has no unique solution. For more than one solution, the equations must be consistent and dependent, which happens when the matrix's rank is less than the number of variables (meaning infinite solutions). In general, specific values of \( a \) and \( b \) that violate these conditions will yield different numbers of solutions.

The given quadratic form represents an ellipse because the determinant of the matrix of the quadratic form (the Hessian) is positive, and all principal minors are positive too. To transform it to principal axes, we perform a rotation of coordinates achieved by diagonalizing the quadratic form's coefficient matrix. This is done using eigenvalue-eigenvector methods, resulting in a transformed form without the \( xy \) cross-product term, indicating the conic's major axes.

Non-trivial solutions occur when the determinant of the coefficient matrix is zero, indicating linear dependence among equations. Calculating this determinant for different \( k \) reveals that the system has non-trivial solutions when \( k = 8 \), since this value turns the determinant to zero, ensuring homogeneity consistency and a solution space beyond the trivial zero vector.

The quadratic form \( 7x^2 + 6xy + 7y^2 = 200 \) represents an ellipse, as confirmed by analyzing the quadratic form's matrices and checking since the discriminant \( B^2 - 4AC < 0 \). Transforming it to principal axes involves finding the eigenvectors and eigenvalues of the associated matrix, performing rotation by these eigenvectors, to ensure no cross-term \( xy \), simplifying its form to standard ellipse equation.

To find \( k \), we equate the derived system's consistency conditions. Forming the augmented matrix and performing row reduction, we require consistency in linear dependency. The solution exists if, during the reduction, for specific \( k \), no contradictions (such as \( 0 = non-zero \)) emerge. Solving these equations, consistent values of \( k \) can be expressed with numerical and symbolic validation, which restricts \( k \) to particular cases ensuring no inconsistent resultant equations.

The eigenvalues of the matrix \( A = \begin{pmatrix} 2 & 0 \\ 0 & -1 \end{pmatrix} \) are 2 and -1. When a matrix \( A \) is transformed by \( P^{-1}AP \), the eigenvalues remain unchanged. This is because such a transformation represents a change of basis, which does not affect the eigenvalues of the matrix. Therefore, the eigenvalues of \( P^{-1}AP \) are also 2 and -1.

Diagonalizing \( A \) requires finding its eigenvalues by solving the characteristic polynomial \( det(A - \lambda I) = 0 \). Once eigenvalues are determined, the corresponding eigenvectors are computed by solving \( (A - \lambda I)x = 0 \). With eigenvectors as columns, form matrix \( P \), and diagonal matrix \( D \) with eigenvalues along its diagonal. \( A \) is then expressed as \( PDP^{-1} \,\). Each calculation ensures orthogonality and span conditions.