Find $a+b+c$ for Integer $a,b,c$ Given $a+b=2004$

  • MHB
  • Thread starter anemone
  • Start date
  • Tags
    Integer
In summary, the integers $a, b, c$ satisfy the equation $\dfrac{2a-b}{c}=\dfrac{2b+c}{a}=\dfrac{-2a-c}{b}$. If $a+b=2004$, then the sum of $a+b+c$ is equal to $-b$, or $-501$.
  • #1
anemone
Gold Member
MHB
POTW Director
3,883
115
For the integers $a, b, c$, we have $\dfrac{2a-b}{c}=\dfrac{2b+c}{a}=\dfrac{-2a-c}{b}$.

If $a+b=2004$, find $a+b+c$.
 
Mathematics news on Phys.org
  • #2
Re: Find a+b+c

anemone said:
For the integers $a, b, c$, we have $\dfrac{2a-b}{c}=\dfrac{2b+c}{a}=\dfrac{-2a-c}{b}$.

If $a+b=2004$, find $a+b+c$.

We have
(2a-b)/c = (-2a-c)/b
As (a/b= c/d = (a+c)/(b+d))
Have both = (2a-b – 2a –c)/(b+c) = -1
Furher from (2b+c)/a = (-2a –c) we get both =2 (b-a)/(b+a) = - 1
So
2(b-a) = - (b+a) = - 2004
Or b – a = - 1002
So a = 1503, b = 501
Now 2b+c = -a or c = - (2b-a) = - 2505
So a + b+c = - 501
(ratio a:b:c = 3:1:-5 and sum = -b)
 
  • #3
Re: Find a+b+c

Hi kaliprasad, thank for participating and I particularly like the following "trick" that you used in your method to solve the problem!:cool:

If $ad=bc$, then

i$\dfrac{a+c}{b+d}= \dfrac{\frac{bc}{d}+c}{b+d}=\dfrac{\frac{c}{d}(b+d)}{b+d}=\dfrac{c}{d}$

$\;\;\;\;\;\;\;\;\;\;\overset{or}= \dfrac{a+\frac{ad}{b}}{b+d}=\dfrac{\frac{a}{b}(b+d)}{b+d}=\dfrac{a}{b}$.

My solution:
From the given equation $\dfrac{2a-b}{c}=\dfrac{2b+c}{a}=\dfrac{-2a-c}{b}$, we have:

$\dfrac{2a-b}{c}=\dfrac{2b+c}{a}$$\dfrac{2a-b}{c}=\dfrac{-2a-c}{b}$$\dfrac{2b+c}{a}=\dfrac{-2a-c}{b}$
$2a^2-ab=2bc+c^2$$(b+c)(2a-b+c)=0$
But notice that $b+c\ne 0$ because if $b+c=0$,

$2a^2-ab=2bc+c^2$ becomes

$2a^2-ac=-2c^2+c^2$

$2a^2-ac+c^2=0$

$2a^2-ac+c^2=0$

$2(a-\frac{c}{4})+\frac{7c^2}{8}\ne 0$ for all integers $a, c$.

Hence, $2a-b+c=0$
$\dfrac{2b+c}{a}=\dfrac{-(2a+c)}{b}$

$\dfrac{2b+c}{a}=\dfrac{-b}{b}$

$2b+c=-a$

$a+2b+c=0$

Now, solve the equations $2a-b+c=0$ and $a+2b+c=0$ by eliminating the variable $c$ for a and b, we get $a=3b$ and from $a+b=2004$, we obtain $a=1503, b=501, c=-2505$ and therefore $a+b+c=-501$.
 
  • #4
Re: Find a+b+c

anemone said:
For the integers $a, b, c$, we have $\dfrac{2a-b}{c}=\dfrac{2b+c}{a}=\dfrac{-2a-c}{b}$.

If $a+b=2004$, find $a+b+c$.
let :
$\dfrac{2a-b}{c}=\dfrac{2b+c}{a}=\dfrac{-2a-c}{b}=\dfrac {1}{k} , k\neq 0$.
then :
a=(2b+c)k----(1)
b=(-2a-c)k---(2)
c=(2a-b)k----(3)
(2)+(3) :b+c=(-b-c)k , so k=-1
(1)+(2)+(3): a+b+c=bk=-b
(1)+(2) :a+b=2a-2b , so a=3b
freom a+b=4b=2004 , b=501
we get a+b+c=-b=-501
 
  • #5


To find $a+b+c$, we first need to solve for $a$ and $b$ in terms of $c$ from the given equations. From the first equation, we can rearrange to get $b=2004-a$. Substituting this into the second equation, we get $\dfrac{2a-(2004-a)}{c}=\dfrac{2(2004-a)+c}{a}$. Simplifying this, we get $a^2+2004a-2004c=0$. Using the quadratic formula, we can solve for $a$ in terms of $c$: $a=\dfrac{-2004 \pm \sqrt{2004^2+4(2004)c}}{2}$. This gives us two possible values for $a$, which are $a=\dfrac{-2004+\sqrt{2004^2+4(2004)c}}{2}$ and $a=\dfrac{-2004-\sqrt{2004^2+4(2004)c}}{2}$.

Similarly, we can solve for $b$ in terms of $c$ by substituting $b=2004-a$ into the third equation. This gives us $\dfrac{2(2004-a)+c}{2004-a}=\dfrac{-2(2004-a)-c}{2004-a}$. Simplifying this, we get $c^2+2004c-2004(2004-a)=0$. Again using the quadratic formula, we can solve for $c$ in terms of $a$: $c=\dfrac{-2004 \pm \sqrt{2004^2+4(2004)(2004-a)}}{2}$. This gives us two possible values for $c$, which are $c=\dfrac{-2004+\sqrt{2004^2+4(2004)(2004-a)}}{2}$ and $c=\dfrac{-2004-\sqrt{2004^2+4(2004)(2004-a)}}{2}$.

Now, to find $a+b+c$, we can substitute the values we found for $a$ and $c$ into the equation $a+b+c$. This gives us four possible values for $a+b+c$:

1. $\dfrac{-2004+\sqrt{2004^2+4(2004)c}}{2
 

Related to Find $a+b+c$ for Integer $a,b,c$ Given $a+b=2004$

1. What is the general method to solve this problem?

The general method to solve this problem is to use algebraic equations and properties to manipulate the given information and ultimately solve for the value of a + b + c. This may involve substituting values, combining like terms, and using the fact that a + b = 2004.

2. Can this problem be solved without using algebra?

Yes, it is possible to solve this problem without using algebra. One method could be to list out all the possible combinations of a, b, and c that add up to 2004 and then checking each combination to see if it satisfies the given conditions.

3. Is there only one solution to this problem?

No, there are multiple solutions to this problem. Since there are three variables (a, b, and c) and only two equations (a + b = 2004 and a + b + c = ?), there will be infinitely many possible solutions.

4. What is the smallest possible value for a + b + c?

The smallest possible value for a + b + c is 2004. This can be achieved when a and b are both 0 and c is 2004.

5. Can negative integers be used in this problem?

Yes, negative integers can be used in this problem. The only requirement is that a, b, and c are all integers. Therefore, the solution could involve positive, negative, or a combination of both types of integers.

Similar threads

Replies
3
Views
836
Replies
1
Views
892
  • General Math
Replies
4
Views
834
Replies
1
Views
879
Replies
1
Views
721
Replies
1
Views
773
Replies
1
Views
846
Replies
2
Views
949
Replies
19
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
787
Back
Top