Let x, y, z be nonzero real numbers with zx+y=xy+z=yz+x. Determine all possible values of xyz(x+y)(y+z)(z+x).
Solution
*Answer.* The only possible values are 8 and −1.
We add 1 to the equations and obtain zx+y+z=xx+y+z=yx+y+z. For x+y+z=0, this is clearly true, and the expression in the problem statement becomes xyz(−z)(−x)(−y)=−1. For x+y+z=0, we get z1=x1=y1. and therefore x=y=z. In this case, our expression becomes 8. The values −1 and 8 are attained because any triple with x+y+z=0 resp. x=y=z that does not contain a zero works. (Theresia Eisenkölbl) ☐
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Source: MathNet,
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