AlgebraDifficulty 5.2AIME, harderProve itUnited States
Problem: Let a, b, and c be real numbers such that a2(b+c)=1, b2(c+a)=2, and c2(a+b)=5. Given that there are three possible values for abc, compute the minimum possible value of abc.
Solution
Solution: Let x=abc. Multiplying all equations together and simplifying gives (abc)2(a+b)(b+c)(c+a)=10, (abc)2(a2(b+c)+b2(c+a)+c2(a+b)+2abc)=10, x2(1+2+5+2x)=10, x2(x+4)=5. The resulting cubic factors as (x−1)(x2+5x+5)=0. Therefore, the smallest possible value of abc is 2−5−5.
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