Evaluate the product (5+6+7)(5+6−7)(5−6+7)(−5+6+7).
A number or a short expression. Spacing and $ signs are ignored.
Solution
More generally, let (x,y,z)=(5,6,7) so that (x2,y2,z2)=(5,6,7). We rewrite the original expression in terms of x,y, and z, then apply the difference of squares repeatedly: (x+y+z)(x+y−z)(x−y+z)(−x+y+z)=[((x+y)+z)((x+y)−z)][((z+(x−y))(z−(x−y))]=[(x+y)2−z2][z2−(x−y)2]=[x2+2xy+y2−z2][z2−x2+2xy−y2]=[2xy+(x2+y2−z2)][2xy−(x2+y2−z2)]=(2xy)2−(x2+y2−z2)2=(2⋅5⋅6)2−(5+6−7)2=104. Remark From this solution, note that the original expression has cyclic symmetry with respect to x,y, and z: (x+y+z)(x+y−z)(x−y+z)(−x+y+z)=⋯=(2xy)2−(x2+y2−z2)2=4x2y2−x4−y4−z4−2x2y2+2y2z2+2z2x2=2x2y2+2y2z2+2z2x2−x4−y4−z4. ~MRENTHUSIASM
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