Find Triplets to Satisfy $x+y+z+xy+yz+zx=xyz+1$

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around finding all triplets of positive integers $(x, y, z)$ that satisfy the equation $x+y+z+xy+yz+zx=xyz+1$, with the condition that $x \le y \le z$. The scope includes mathematical reasoning and problem-solving related to integer solutions.

Discussion Character

  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that if $x \geqslant 4$, then there cannot be any solutions due to the derived inequalities.
  • One participant suggests that for $x=2$, the equation simplifies to $(y-3)(z-3) = 10$, leading to specific integer solutions for $(y, z)$.
  • Another participant notes that for $x=3$, the equation simplifies to $(y-2)(z-2) = 5$, yielding a unique solution for $(y, z)$.
  • Multiple participants mention specific solutions: $(x,y,z) = (2,3,13), (2,5,8), (3,3,7)$, but there is no consensus on the completeness of these solutions.
  • One participant expresses uncertainty about the correctness of another's earlier response, indicating a lack of agreement on some points.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the specific solutions found, but there is disagreement regarding the completeness of the solution set and the validity of earlier claims.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes assumptions about the values of $x$, $y$, and $z$, and the implications of these assumptions on the existence of solutions. The mathematical steps leading to the conclusions are not fully resolved, leaving some uncertainty in the arguments presented.

anemone
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Determine all triplets $(x,\;y,\:z)$ of positive integers such that $x \le y \le z$ and

$x+y+z+xy+yz+zx=xyz+1$.
 
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anemone said:
Determine all triplets $(x,\;y,\:z)$ of positive integers such that $x \le y \le z$ and

$x+y+z+xy+yz+zx=xyz+1$.

Hello.

(x+1)(y+1)(z+1)=2(1+xyz)

At a glance:

(1,0,0) \ (0,1,0) \ (0,0,1) \ (-1,-1,-1)

Only meets the two restrictions: (1,0,0)

Regards.
 
The above solution is not correct. The question asks for positive integers, and $0$ IS NOT POSITIVE!
$$2,4,13$$
$$2,5,8$$
$$3,3,7$$
 
mente oscura said:
Hello.

(x+1)(y+1)(z+1)=2(1+xyz)

At a glance:

(1,0,0) \ (0,1,0) \ (0,0,1) \ (-1,-1,-1)

Only meets the two restrictions: (1,0,0)

Regards.

Thanks for participating, mente oscura! But your answer isn't correct. I'm sorry.:(

eddybob123 said:
The above solution is not correct. The question asks for positive integers, and $0$ IS NOT POSITIVE!
$$2,4,13$$
$$2,5,8$$
$$3,3,7$$

Yes, those three are the only solutions but if you don't mind me asking, I would like to see how you approached the problem, sounds good to you?
 
anemone said:
Determine all triplets $(x,\;y,\:z)$ of positive integers such that $x \le y \le z$ and

$x+y+z+xy+yz+zx=xyz+1$.
[sp]If $x$ (the smallest of these numbers) is $\geqslant4$ then each of $x,y,z$ is $\leqslant\frac14yz$; and each of $xy,xz,yz$ is $\leqslant yz$. Therefore $x+y+z+xy+yz+zx \leqslant \frac{15}4yz$. But $xyz + 1>4yz > \frac{15}4yz$. So there cannot be any soluions with $x\geqslant4.$

If $x=2$ then the equation becomes $2yz+1 = yz + 3(y+z) + 2$, so that $yz - 3(y+z) = 1$, or $(y-3)(z-3) = 10$. The only positive integer solutions with $y\leqslant z$ are $(y-3,z-3) = (1,10)$ or $(2,5)$, giving $(y,z) = (3,13)$ or $(5,8).$

If $x=3$ then the equation becomes $3yz+1 = yz + 4(y+z) + 3$, so that $yz - 2(y+z) = 1$, or $(y-2)(z-2) = 5$. The only solution is $(y-2,z-2) = (1,5)$, giving $(y,z) = (3,7)$.

Thus the only solutions are those given by eddybob:$(x,y,z) = (2,3,13),\ (2,5,8),\ (3,3,7)$.[/sp]
 
Thank you Opalg for participating and also your well explained solution!

Solution provided by other:

Let $x-1=p$, $y-1=q$ and $z-1=r$, the equation may be written in the form $pqr=2(p+q+r)+4$, where $p,q,r$ are integers such that $r \ge q \ge p \ge 0$. Observe that $p=0$ is not possible, for then $0=2(p+q)+4$ which is impossible in non-negative integers. Thus we may write this in the form

$2 \left( \dfrac{1}{pq}+\dfrac{1}{qr}+\dfrac{1}{rp} \right) +\dfrac{4}{pqr}=1$.

If $p \ge 3$, then $q \ge 3$ and $r \ge 3$. Then left side is bounded by $\dfrac{6}{9}+\dfrac{4}{27}$ which is less than 1.

We conclude that $p=1$ or $p=2$.

Case I:

Suppose $p=1$. Then we have $qr=2(q+r)+6$ or $(q-2)(r-2)=10$. This gives $q-2=1, r-2=10$ or $q-2=2$ and $r-2=4$ (recall $r \ge q$). This implies $(p,q,r)=(1,3,12), (1,4,7)$

Case II:
If $p=2$, the equation reduces to $2qr=2(2+q+r)+4$ or $qr=q+r+4$. This reduces to $(q-1)(r-1)=5$. Hence $q-1=1$ and $r-1=5$ is the only solution. This yields $(p,q,r)=(2,2,6)$

Reverting back to $x, y, z$ we get three triplets $(x,y,z)=(2,4,13),(2,5,8),(3,3,7)$.
 

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