[Proof] If
2abc−bc−ca−ab=xbc+yca+zab,
where x⩾0,y⩾0,z⩾0, then we have
2abc=bc(x+1)+ca(y+1)+ab(z+1).
Thus a∣(x+1)bc and since (a,bc)=1, it follows that a∣(x+1). Therefore, a⩽x+1.
Similarly, we have b⩽y+1,c⩽z+1, hence
3abc=bca+cab+abc⩽bc(x+1)+ca(y+1)+ab(z+1)=2abc, a contradiction.
Therefore, 2abc−bc−ca−ab cannot be expressed in the form xbc+yca+zab.
Next, to prove that any number n greater than 2abc−bc−ca−ab can be expressed in the form xbc+yca+zab, we will prove a simple result to be used below:
Let a,b be positive integers and (a,b)=1, then any number greater than ab−a−b can be expressed in the form ax+by(x⩾0,y⩾0).
Since (a,b)=1, every integer m can be expressed as
m=ua+vb,u,v∈Z.
Clearly, such an expression is not unique, but all expressions can be written as
m=(u−kb)a+(v+ka)b,k∈Z.
Choose k0 such that 0⩽u−k0b<a. Let u0=u−k0b and v0=v+k0a. Then 0⩽u0<a and m=u0a+v0b.
Since m>ab−a−b, we have
u0a+v0b>ab−a−b.
This implies v0b>−b, so v0>−1, i.e., v0⩾0. This proves the above proposition.
Finally, we use the above proposition to prove that when n>2abc−bc−ca−ab, n can be expressed in the form xbc+yca+zab(x⩾0,y⩾0,z⩾0).
Since
n>2abc−bc−ca−ab=(abc−ab−ca+a)+(abc−a−bc)=a(b−1)(c−1)+(abc−a−bc)⩾abc−a−bc.
And since (a,bc)=1, n can be written as n=aw+xbc with x⩽a−1. Thus,
aw=n−bcx⩾n−bc(a−1)>abc−ab−ca,
i.e., w>bc−b−c. Since (b,c)=1, we have w=cy+bz(y⩾0,z⩾0). Therefore,
n=aw+bcx=bcx+cay+abz.