Problem:
Find, with proof, all ways to write as a sum of three fractions, each with numerator and positive integer denominator. (The order of the fractions is irrelevant, so for instance is the same as .)
Solution
Solution:
There are three solutions:
Now we must prove that these are the only solutions. If the fraction appears in the expression, the remaining fractions must add to , so one of them is greater than or equal to . If this fraction is , we get the solution , and if this fraction is , we get the solution . Thus, if the fraction is used, we cannot get any new solutions.
If the fraction does NOT appear in the expression, then all three fractions are at most . Then their sum will certainly be less than unless they are all equal to . Thus in this case, we only get the third solution, .
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