MHB Prove: One of $a, b$ or $c$ is Sum of Other Two

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For three real numbers a, b, and c, the conditions |a-b|≥|c|, |b-c|≥|a|, and |c-a|≥|b| imply that one of the numbers must be the sum of the other two. By squaring the inequalities, it can be shown that the expressions (a-b+c)(a-b-c), (b-c+a)(b-c-a), and (c-a+b)(c-a-b) yield non-negative products. The multiplication of these inequalities leads to a conclusion that holds true if any of the equations a+c=b, b+c=a, or a+b=c are satisfied. Therefore, the proof demonstrates that one of the numbers is indeed the sum of the other two.
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If $a, b$ and $c$ are three real numbers such that $|a-b|\ge|c|$, $|b-c|\ge|a|$ and $|c-a|\ge|b|$, then prove that one of $a, b$ or $c$ is the sum of the other two.
 
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Re: Prove a+b=c

My solution

First off, if two are equal then the third is zero and we're done. So we will assume that none are equal. We will assume that $a \le b \le c$ (without loss of generality). Thus, from the three inequalities given we have

$\begin{eqnarray}
a - b \;& \; \le\; & \;c \;& \;\le b-a\\
b - c\; & \;\le\; &\;a &\; \le c-b\\
a - c \;& \;\le\; &\;b & \;\le c-a
\end{eqnarray}.$

From the right hand side of the first inequality we have $a+c \le b$ and the left hand side of the second inequality we have $b \le a + c$ giving the $b=a+c$
 
Re: Prove a+b=c

anemone said:
If $a, b$ and $c$ are three real numbers such that $|a-b|\ge|c|$, $|b-c|\ge|a|$ and $|c-a|\ge|b|$, then prove that one of $a, b$ or $c$ is the sum of the other two.

Squaring both sides of the inequality of $|a-b|\ge|c|$, we get

$(a-b)^2\ge c^2$

$(a-b)^2-c^2\ge 0$

$(a-b+c)(a-b-c)\ge 0$---(1)

Similarly we have

$(b-c+a)(b-c-a)\ge 0$
$-(b-c+a)(-b+c+a)\ge 0 $
$\rightarrow -(a+b-c)(a-b+c)\ge 0$---(2)

and $(c-a+b)(c-a-b)\ge 0$
$(-c+a-b)(-c+a+b)\ge 0$
$\rightarrow (a-b-c)(a+b-c)\ge 0$---(3)

Multiply these three inequalities yields

$(a-b+c)(a-b-c)(-(a+b-c)(a-b+c))(a-b-c)(a+b-c) \ge 0$

$-(a-b+c)^2(a-b-c)^2(a+b-c)^2 \ge 0$

Apparently, this inequality holds true if either $a-b+c=0 (a+c=b)$ or $a-b-c=0 (b+c=a)$ or $a+b-c=0 (a+b=c)$.
 
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