Can This Unique Pair of Values Solve the Equation?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around solving a system of equations involving square roots and algebraic expressions. Participants explore various methods to derive values for the variables x and y, examining potential solutions and their validity.

Discussion Character

  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose starting with the assumption that y=6x, leading to specific values for x and y.
  • Others present a quadratic equation derived from manipulating the original system, suggesting that x is a solution to the equation 147x² - 154x + 3 = 0.
  • One participant expresses confusion regarding the reasoning behind assuming y=6x.
  • Another participant outlines a method involving transformations of the original equations, leading to a quadratic equation in y.
  • Some participants note that one of the potential solutions results in an invalid condition (1 - 1/(x+y) < 0) and should be discarded.
  • There is a discussion about verifying the solutions obtained and ensuring they satisfy the original equations.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the form of the equations and the need to verify solutions, but there is disagreement on the validity of certain assumptions and the resulting solutions. Multiple competing views remain regarding the approach to solving the system.

Contextual Notes

Some assumptions made by participants, such as the choice of y=6x, are not universally accepted, and the discussion reflects varying interpretations of the equations involved. The validity of certain solutions is questioned based on the conditions derived from the equations.

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Problem:
Solve the system:
$\displaystyle \sqrt{3x}\left(1+\frac{1}{x+y} \right)=2$

$\displaystyle \sqrt{7y}\left(1-\frac{1}{x+y} \right)=4\sqrt{2}$
 
Last edited by a moderator:
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y=6x
x approaches 1.03
y approaches 6.18
in fact x is the solution of quadratic equation :
$147x^2-154x+3=0$
we delete the smaller solution
 
Albert said:
y=6x
x approaches 1.03
y approaches 6.18
in fact x is the solution of quadratic equation :
$147x^2-154x+3=0$
we delete the smaller solution
I'm sorry Albert, I don't follow your reasoning at all...
 
We can express $$\left\{\begin{matrix}
\sqrt{3x}\left(1+\dfrac{1}{x+y}\right)=2\\ \sqrt{7y}\left(1-\dfrac{1}{x+y}\right)
=4\sqrt{2} \end{matrix}\right.\Leftrightarrow \left\{\begin{matrix} 1+\dfrac{1}{x+y}=\dfrac{2}{\sqrt{3x}}\quad (1)\\ 1-\dfrac{1}{x+y}=\dfrac{4\sqrt{2}}{\sqrt{7y}}\quad (2)\end{matrix}\right.$$ Using the transformations $(1)+(2)$ and $(1)-(2)$: $$\left\{\begin{matrix} 1=\frac{1}{\sqrt{3x}}+\frac{2\sqrt{2}}{\sqrt{7y}} \quad (3)\\ \frac{1}{x+y}=\frac{1}{\sqrt{3x}}-\frac{2\sqrt{2}}{\sqrt{7y}}\quad (4) \end{matrix}\right.$$ Multiplying $(3)$ by $(4)$: $$\frac{1}{x+y}=\frac{1}{3x}-\frac{8}{7y}=\frac{7y-24x}{21xy}\Leftrightarrow\ldots \Leftrightarrow 7y^{2}-38xy-24x^{2}=0\quad (5)$$ Solving the quadratic equation $(5)$ on $y$: $$y=\dfrac{38x\pm\sqrt{2116x^2}}{14}=\ldots=\{6x,-(4/7)x\}$$ Hence, we get $y=6x$ or $y=-\frac{4}{7}x$. Could you continue?
 
Albert said:
y=6x
x approaches 1.03
y approaches 6.18
in fact x is the solution of quadratic equation :
$147x^2-154x+3=0$
we delete the smaller solution

Why do you start with $y=6x$?
 
Let x+y=A
we get :
$\sqrt{\dfrac{4}{3x}}=1+\dfrac{1}{A}$-----------(1)
$\sqrt{\dfrac{32}{7y}}=1-\dfrac{1}{A}$----------(2)
$(1)^2-(2)^2 :$
$\dfrac{4}{3x}-\dfrac{32}{7y}=\dfrac{4}{x+y}$
$\dfrac{1}{(x+y)}=\dfrac{(7y-24x)}{(21xy)}$
$24x^2+38xy-7y^2$=0
(4x+7y)(6x-y)=0
y=$\dfrac{-4x}{7}$ or y=6x
because x>0 and y>0
so y=$\dfrac{-4x}{7}$ does not fit
so we start with y=6x
 
Last edited:
Fernando Revilla said:
We can express $$\left\{\begin{matrix}
\sqrt{3x}\left(1+\dfrac{1}{x+y}\right)=2\\ \sqrt{7y}\left(1-\dfrac{1}{x+y}\right)
=4\sqrt{2} \end{matrix}\right.\Leftrightarrow \left\{\begin{matrix} 1+\dfrac{1}{x+y}=\dfrac{2}{\sqrt{3x}}\quad (1)\\ 1-\dfrac{1}{x+y}=\dfrac{4\sqrt{2}}{\sqrt{7y}}\quad (2)\end{matrix}\right.$$ Using the transformations $(1)+(2)$ and $(1)-(2)$: $$\left\{\begin{matrix} 1=\frac{1}{\sqrt{3x}}+\frac{2\sqrt{2}}{\sqrt{7y}} \quad (3)\\ \frac{1}{x+y}=\frac{1}{\sqrt{3x}}-\frac{2\sqrt{2}}{\sqrt{7y}}\quad (4) \end{matrix}\right.$$ Multiplying $(3)$ by $(4)$: $$\frac{1}{x+y}=\frac{1}{3x}-\frac{8}{7y}=\frac{7y-24x}{21xy}\Leftrightarrow\ldots \Leftrightarrow 7y^{2}-38xy-24x^{2}=0\quad (5)$$ Solving the quadratic equation $(5)$ on $y$: $$y=\dfrac{38x\pm\sqrt{2116x^2}}{14}=\ldots=\{6x,-(4/7)x\}$$ Hence, we get $y=6x$ or $y=-\frac{4}{7}x$. Could you continue?

That's great, Fernando!

And yes, I could continue from there...

From $7y^2-38xy-24x^2=0$, we factorize it (like what Albert did, to get $(y-6x)(7y+4x)=0$ and we find $y=6x$ or $y=-\frac{4}{7}$.

Since $x, y>0$, we're left with only $y=6x$ to consider with.

If we substitute $y=6x$ back into the equation $\displaystyle 1+\frac{1}{x+y}=\frac{2}{\sqrt{3x}}$and letting $k=\sqrt{x}$, we obtain:

$7\sqrt{3}k^2-14k+\sqrt{3}=0$

Now, use the quadratic formula to solve for k yields $\displaystyle k=\frac{7\pm 2\sqrt{7}}{7\sqrt{3}}$, thus, $\displaystyle x=(\frac{7\pm 2\sqrt{7}}{7\sqrt{3}})^2$ and $\displaystyle y=6(\frac{7\pm 2\sqrt{7}}{7\sqrt{3}})^2$.
 
according to your post , you have two solutions,but one of the combinations
will make $1-\dfrac{1}{x+y}<0$ ,this combination
should also be deleted
 
Last edited:
Albert said:
according to your post , you have two solutions,but one of the combinations
will make 1-1/(x+y) <0 ,this combination
should also be deleted

You're right, Albert! I didn't check and verify the answer. :o Thanks for letting me know about this.

We have only one pair of value that satisfies the given equations...and they're
$\displaystyle x=(\frac{7+ 2\sqrt{7}}{7\sqrt{3}})^2$ and $\displaystyle y=6(\frac{7+ 2\sqrt{7}}{7\sqrt{3}})^2$.
 

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