Find the least value and the greatest value of the expression P=x+y where x,y are real numbers satisfying the condition x−3x+1=3y+2−y.
Solution
Write the given condition in the form x+y=3(x+1+y+2). Denote by G the set of values of P. It is easily seen that: a∈G⇔a is a real number so that the following system of equations (with unknowns x,y) has solutions {3(x+1+y+2)=ax+y=a.(I) By putting u=x+1 and v=y+2, from the system (I), we get the following system of equations (with unknowns u,v) {3(u+v)=au2+v2=a+3.(II) which is equivalent to {u+v=3auv=21(9a2−a−3). Therefore, The system (I) has solutions ⇔ the system (II) has the solutions (u,v) with u,v non negative ⇔ the equation (with unknown t) 18t2−6at+a2−9a−27=0 has two non negative roots ⇔ ⎩⎨⎧−a2+18a+54≥0a≥0a2−9a−27≥0⇔29+321≤a≤9+315. Hence G=[29+321;9+315] and so minP=29+321, maxP=9+315.
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Source: MathNet,
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