a ! b ! = a ! + b ! + 2 c
Given that a , b , c are positive integers satisfying the above equation. What is the value of a + b + c ?
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Assume without loss of generality that a ≥ b . Now dividing by b ! gives a ! = b ! a ! + 1 + b ! 2 c This means that b = 1 o r 2 . For b = 1 we get 1 + 2 c = 0 so b = 2 ⇒ a ! = 2 a ! + 1 + 2 c − 1 ⇒ 2 c − 1 + 1 = 2 a ! . This means that 2 a ! must be odd so the exponent of 2 in the factorial is 1. Hence, (as 2 c − 1 > 0 ) a = 3 and c = 2
∴ a + b + c = 3 + 2 + 2 = 7
Done through hit and trial method...
2 ! × 3 ! = 2 ! + 3 ! × 2 2
Hence 2 + 3 + 2 = 7
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Without loss of generality let us assume that a ≥ b and divide through by b ! :
a ! = b ! a ! + 1 + b ! 2 c , giving integers throughout.
As each term on the RHS is integer, R H S ≥ 3 ⇒ a ! ≥ 3 ⇒ a ≥ 3
For b > 2 , b ! will contain a factor of 3 , and so cannot divide 2 c .
Thus b = 1 , o r , b = 2
If b = 1 ⇒ a ! = a ! + 1 + 2 c , which leads to 2 c + 1 = 0 : no solution.
If b = 2 , ⇒ a ! = 2 a ! + 1 + 2 c − 1 , which leads to 2 a ! = 1 + 2 c − 1
If a > 3 ⇒ 2 a ! is even, so 2 c − 1 = 1 . But then we get 2 a ! = 2 no solution.
If a = 3 , 3 = 1 + 2 c − 1 ⇒ c = 2
Hence we obtain the only solution: 3 ! 2 ! = 3 ! + 2 ! + 2 2
Thus, a + b + c = 3 + 2 + 2 = 7 .