Let a and b be positive real numbers such that ba+ab=3andba2+ab2=10. Determine a1+b1. (Kristina Ana Škreb)
Solution
Let x=a/b and y=b/a. Since a,b>0, x,y>0 and xy=1.
We are given: ba+ab=x+y=3. Since xy=1, x and y are the roots of t2−3t+1=0.
Now, ba2+ab2=ba2+ab2=a⋅ba+b⋅ab=ax+by. But this is not immediately helpful. Instead, let us try expressing everything in terms of a and b.
Let S=a+b, P=ab.
We have: ba+ab=aba2+b2=3⟹a2+b2=3ab. Also, ba2+ab2=aba3+b3=10. So a3+b3=10ab.
Recall that a3+b3=(a+b)3−3ab(a+b)=S3−3PS.
So: S3−3PS=10P But from above, a2+b2=3ab⟹(a+b)2−2ab=3ab⟹S2−2P=3P⟹S2=5P.
Now, substitute P=S2/5 into the cubic equation: S3−3PS=10P S3−3PS−10P=0 S3−3SP−10P=0 S3−(3S+10)P=0 S3=(3S+10)P But P=S2/5, so: S3=(3S+10)⋅5S2 S3=5(3S+10)S2 5S3=(3S+10)S2 5S3−3S3−10S2=0 2S3−10S2=0 2S3=10S2 S3=5S2 Since S>0, S=5.
Now, P=S2/5=25/5=5.
Therefore, a and b are the roots of t2−St+P=0, i.e. t2−5t+5=0 So a,b=25±25−20=25±5
Now, a1+b1=aba+b=PS=55=1.
Answer: 1
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