⎩ ⎪ ⎪ ⎪ ⎨ ⎪ ⎪ ⎪ ⎧ a b c = − 1 a + b + c = − 3 a 1 + b 1 + c 1 = − 3
How many ordered triples ( a , b , c ) of reals satisfy the system of equations above?
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It is obvious that ( a , b , c ) = ( − 1 , − 1 , − 1 ) is an answer. Let us proof that there exist this answer only.
By the third equation, we can get a b + a c + b c = 3 . Now, square the first equation, we will get a 2 + b 2 + c 2 + 2 a b + 2 b c + 2 a c a 2 + b 2 + c 2 = 9 = 3
Solution 1) Now apply Cauchy inequaliy, ( a 2 + b 2 + c 2 ) ( 1 2 + 1 2 + 1 2 ) ≥ ( a + b + c ) 2 L H S = 3 × 3 = 9 R H S = ( − 3 ) 2 = 9 Which means that Cauchy equality hold. Hence, a=b=c. Combine it with the first equation, we can conclude that there exist only 1 triple, which is ( − 1 , − 1 , − 1 ) .
Solution 2) We got a + b + c 2 a + 2 b + 2 c a 2 + b 2 + c 2 a 2 + 2 a + b 2 + 2 b + c 2 + 2 c ( a + 1 ) 2 + ( b + 1 ) 2 + ( c + 1 ) 2 = − 3 = − 6 = 3 = − 3 = 0 Hence, a + 1 = b + 1 = c + 1 = 0 a = b = c = − 1
a 1 + b 1 + c 1 a b c a b + b c + c a − 1 a b + b c + c a a b + b c + c a a 2 b + a b c + c a 2 a 2 b − 1 + c a 2 a 2 ( b + c ) a 2 ( a + b + c − a ) a 2 ( − 3 − a ) a 3 + 3 a 2 + 3 a + 1 ( a + 1 ) 3 ⟹ a = − 3 = − 3 = − 3 = 3 = 3 a = 3 a = 3 a + 1 = 3 a + 1 = 3 a + 1 = 0 = 0 = − 1 Given Given that a b c = − 1 Multiply both sides by a Given that a + b + c = − 3
Since a , b and c are identical in the system of equations, there is only 1 triple ( − 1 , − 1 , − 1 ) satisfies the system.
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Multiplying the third equation by a b c we get that a b + b c + c a = 3 . Then by Vieta's, a , b , c are the roots of the equation x 3 + 3 x 2 + 3 x + 1 = 0 which can be factored as ( x + 1 ) 3 . Hence, ( a , b , c ) = ( − 1 , − 1 , − 1 ) is the only solution.