a+b+ca2+b2+c2=p=qbc−x−2yaca−x−2ybab−x−2yc=0=0=0, where p2<3q. Determine the possible values of abc.
Solution
Label the given equations as follows: a+b+c=p(23) a2+b2+c2=q(24) bc−x−2ya=0(25) ca−x−2yb=0(26) ab−x−2yc=0.(27)
Adding (25)⋅(c−b), (26)⋅(a−c) and (27)⋅(b−a), we obtain (a−b)(b−c)(c−a)=0.
Hence one of a−b,b−c,c−a must be zero. But if all three of a,b,c are equal, to a, say, then p=3a,q=3a2, so that p2=9a2=3(3a2)=3q which has been ruled out. So, at most one of a−b,b−c,c−a can be zero. Say b=a; then c=p−2a and q=2a2+c2=2a2+(p−2a)2=6a2−4ap+p2, so that a satisfies the quadratic equation 6a2−4pa+p2−q=0,and soa=62p±2(3q−p2).