If x and y are positive real numbers with x+y1=x1−y1, what is the value of (yx+xy)2?
A number or a short expression. Spacing and $ signs are ignored.
Solution
Starting with the given relationship between x and y and manipulating algebraically, we obtain successively x+y1=x1−y1xy=(x+y)y−(x+y)xxy=xy+y2−x2−xyx2+xy−y2=0y2x2+yx−1=0 where t=yx. Since x>0 and y>0, then t>0. Using the quadratic formula t=2−1±12−4(1)(−1)=2−1±5. Since t>0, then yx=t=25−1. Therefore, $\left(\frac{x}{y}+\frac{y}{x}\right)^{2}=\left(\frac{\sqrt{5}-1}{2}+\frac{2}{\sqrt{5}-1}\right)^{2}=\left(\frac{\sqrt{5}-1}{2}+\frac{2(\sqrt{5}+1)}{(\sqrt{5}-1)(\sqrt{5}+1)}\right)^{2}=\left(\frac{\sqrt{5}-1}{2}+\frac{\sqrt{5}+1}{2}\right)^{2}=(\sqrt{5})^{2}=5
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