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Algebra Difficulty 5.8 AIME, harder Find the answer

If xx, yy, zz are positive numbers satisfying
x+yz=y+zx=z+xy=2.x+\frac{y}{z}=y+\frac{z}{x}=z+\frac{x}{y}=2.
Find all the possible values of x+y+zx+y+z.

A number or a short expression. Spacing and $ signs are ignored.

Solution

We are given that xx, yy, and zz are positive numbers satisfying the system of equations:
x+yz=2, x + \frac{y}{z} = 2,
y+zx=2, y + \frac{z}{x} = 2,
z+xy=2. z + \frac{x}{y} = 2.

Our goal is to find all possible values of x+y+zx + y + z.

### Step 1: Analyze the equations.

Each equation can be rewritten as:

1. x+yz=2    xz+y=2zx + \frac{y}{z} = 2 \implies xz + y = 2z,
2. y+zx=2    xy+z=2xy + \frac{z}{x} = 2 \implies xy + z = 2x,
3. z+xy=2    yz+x=2yz + \frac{x}{y} = 2 \implies yz + x = 2y.

### Step 2: Solve the system of equations.

Start by manipulating the first equation:
xz+y=2z    y=2zxz. xz + y = 2z \implies y = 2z - xz.

From the second equation:
xy+z=2x    z=2xxy. xy + z = 2x \implies z = 2x - xy.

From the third equation:
yz+x=2y    x=2yyz. yz + x = 2y \implies x = 2y - yz.

For consistency across these manipulations, set x=y=zx = y = z due to symmetry.

Substituting x=y=zx = y = z in any of the three original equations:
x+xx=2    x+1=2    x=1. x + \frac{x}{x} = 2 \implies x + 1 = 2 \implies x = 1.

Similarly, since x=y=zx = y = z, we find y=1y = 1 and z=1z = 1.

### Step 3: Calculate x+y+zx + y + z.

Substituting the value back,
x+y+z=1+1+1=3. x + y + z = 1 + 1 + 1 = 3.

Thus, the only possible value of x+y+zx + y + z is 3\boxed{3}.

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Source: Omni-MATH, licensed Apache-2.0. Statement and solution reproduced as published; topic and difficulty added by this site.