MHB Evaluate $\frac{z-y}{z-x}$ for $x,\,y,\,z$ Real Numbers

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The discussion revolves around evaluating the expression \(\frac{z-y}{z-x}\) given a system of equations involving real numbers \(x\), \(y\), and \(z\). The equations are \(x + \frac{1}{yz} = \frac{1}{5}\), \(y + \frac{1}{xz} = -\frac{1}{15}\), and \(z + \frac{1}{xy} = \frac{1}{3}\). Participants engage in solving the system to find the values of \(x\), \(y\), and \(z\) and subsequently compute the desired expression. The discussion includes corrections and clarifications based on participant feedback. Ultimately, the goal is to derive a precise value for \(\frac{z-y}{z-x}\) based on the established relationships.
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Let $x,\,y,\,z$ be real numbers which satisfy the system below:

$x+\dfrac{1}{yz}=\dfrac{1}{5}$

$y+\dfrac{1}{xz}=-\dfrac{1}{15}$

$z+\dfrac{1}{xy}=\dfrac{1}{3}$

Evaluate $\dfrac{z-y}{z-x}$.
 
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anemone said:
Let $x,\,y,\,z$ be real numbers which satisfy the system below:

$x+\dfrac{1}{yz}=\dfrac{1}{5}$

$y+\dfrac{1}{xz}=-\dfrac{1}{15}$

$z+\dfrac{1}{xy}=\dfrac{1}{3}$

Evaluate $\dfrac{z-y}{z-x}$.

clearly x,y,z none of them is zero deviding 1st equation by x 2nd by y and 3rd by z we get

$1+\dfrac{1}{xyz}= \dfrac{1}{5x}=\dfrac{-1}{15y} = \dfrac{1}{3z}$
hence $5x=-15y=3z$
or $\dfrac{x}{z}= \dfrac{3}{5}$
$\dfrac{y}{z}= \dfrac{-1}{5}$
hence $\dfrac{z-y}{z-x}=\dfrac{1-\frac{y}{z}}{1-\frac{x}{z}}=\dfrac{1+\frac{1}{5}}{1-\frac{3}{5}}=3 $
 
Last edited:
kaliprasad said:
clearly x,y,z none of them is zero deviding 1st equation by x 2nd by y and 3rd by z we get

$1+\dfrac{1}{xyz}= \dfrac{1}{5x}=\dfrac{1}{15y} = \dfrac{1}{3z}$
hence $5x=15y=3z$
or $\dfrac{x}{z}= \dfrac{3}{5}$
$\dfrac{y}{z}= \dfrac{1}{5}$
hence $\dfrac{z-y}{z-x}=\dfrac{1-\frac{y}{z}}{1-\frac{x}{z}}=\dfrac{1-\frac{1}{5}}{1-\frac{3}{5}}=2 $

Thanks kaliprasad for participating...but:

Please note that the RHS of the second equation has a minus sign..
 
anemone said:
Thanks kaliprasad for participating...but:

Please note that the RHS of the second equation has a minus sign..

Thanks. I have done the correction based on the comment
 
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