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Algebra Difficulty 4.7 AIME Prove it Estonia

Do there exist real numbers xx, yy, zz, tt that meet the following system of equations?
{1+x3+y2=01+y3+z2=01+z3+t2=01+t3+x2=0x+y+z+t=0 \begin{cases} 1 + x^3 + y^2 = 0 \\ 1 + y^3 + z^2 = 0 \\ 1 + z^3 + t^2 = 0 \\ 1 + t^3 + x^2 = 0 \\ x + y + z + t = 0 \end{cases}

Solutions — 2

Solution 1

The first equation implies x3=y21x^3 = -y^2 - 1. Thus x3<0x^3 < 0, implying also x<0x < 0. Similarly from the second, third and fourth equations we obtain y<0y < 0, z<0z < 0 and t<0t < 0, respectively. The sum of negative numbers xx, yy, zz, tt is negative, contradicting the fifth equation.

Solution 2

Suppose that the system has a solution. W.l.o.g., let xx be variable with the largest value. Then 4xx+y+z+t4x \ge x + y + z + t, which by the last equation implies x0x \ge 0. Consequently, also x30x^3 \ge 0. As y20y^2 \ge 0, this implies 1+x3+y211 + x^3 + y^2 \ge 1, contradicting the first equation. Hence no solution can exist.

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