# Prove that if a² + ab + b² = 0 then a = 0 and b = 0

Tags:
1. Dec 25, 2016

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
Prove that if a² + ab + b² = 0 then a = 0 and b = 0
Hint: Recall the factorization of a³-b³. (Another solution will be discussed later when speaking about quadratic equations.)

2. Relevant equations
a² + ab + b² is close to a² + 2ab + b² = (a+b)²
a³-b³=(a-b)(a²+ab+b²)

3. The attempt at a solution
a² + ab + b² = 0
a² + ab + b² + ab = ab
a² + 2ab + b² = ab
(a+b)² = ab
(a+b)² - ab = 0

Here I figured, to get zero after a subtraction, both terms need to be equal. An addition of two numbers is the same to the multiplication of those two numbers only when a,b = 0 or a,b = 2. (0+0=0*0 and 2+2=2*2)
But since the first term is squared, (2+2)² - 2*2 = 16 - 4 ≠0. This leaves a,b = 0 as the only option to get a zero.

A second try was
a² + ab + b² = 0
a² + ab + b² + ab = ab
a² + 2ab + b² = ab
(a+b)² = ab
(a+b)² - ab = 0
(b+b)² - bb = 0 (given that a=b, and same works for b=a)
(2b)² - b² = 0
(2b-b)(2b+b) = 0
b*b = 0
b = 0

A third unsuccessful attempt
a² + ab + b² = 0
a² + ab + b² + ab = ab
a² + 2ab + b² = ab
(a+b)² = ab
a+b = √(ab)
a+b = √a√b
(a+b) - (√a√b) = 0

The solution:
a³-b³=(a-b)(a²+ab+b²), if (a²+ab+b²)=0, then a³-b³=0 or
a³ = b³ which can only happen when a=b. If a=b, then 0=a²+ab+b²=3b² which implies that
b=0 and a=b=0.

I have no experience with proofs whatsoever. I understand the solution but I want to know if any of my first three tries have any correctness in them. Or is the solution above the only possible way to prove this equality without any other 'techniques'?

2. Dec 25, 2016

### robphy

Are there restrictions on a and b? e.g. only integer solutions.

3. Dec 25, 2016

Yes, only integers. No irrational or complex numbers as the books hasn't touched that yet.

4. Dec 25, 2016

### PeroK

Your proofs only get so far and then fail on the key step. An alternative would be to start with simply:

$a^2 + b^2 = -ab$

$a^2 + b^2 = |a||b|$

Can you justify that second step?

Then consider the case $|a| \ge |b|$

That's perhaps a more direct approach.

5. Dec 25, 2016

### PeroK

You should be trying to prove it for any real numbers.

6. Dec 25, 2016

$a^2 + b^2 = -ab$

$a^2 + b^2 = |a||b|$

The second step can be justified by the fact that any number to an even power will be positive, except for zero.

$|a| \ge |b|$ With this I think you want to show me that, if one number is bigger than the other, there is no possibility that both numbers are zero, which is the only case that leads to the equation equaling zero.
So, if only one number would be zero, let's say a=0, then you're left with 0² + b² = |0||b| = 0, which can only mean b=0.
The other case, where both numbers are the same, results in:
a²+b² = |a||b|
a²+a² = |a||a|
2a² = a²
2a²-a² = 0
a² = 0
a = 0

Is this what you meant?

(Another side question: let's say I make the mistake of doing
2a² = a²
2 = a²/a² (can't divide by 0)
2 = 1
How's this called in mathematical terminology? )

7. Dec 25, 2016

### Buffu

Another approach would be solving the quadratic for a. Actually you only need to consider the determinant to get the answer.

8. Dec 25, 2016

Can not be used yet.

9. Dec 25, 2016

### Buffu

Is that a requirement by the author or you simply don't want ?Anyhow book's solution is ideal.
By the way what you are doing in your other attempts is whats called 'Completing the square' which is used to solve quadratic equations and quadratic formula is also derived by that method.

10. Dec 25, 2016

### PeroK

You've a bit of work to do to understand the logic of proofs. Often you are using what you are trying to prove during steps in the process.

For this proof there are two distinct approaches:

The direct approach where you assume nothing extra about $a, b$.

Proof by contradiction, where you assume one or both of $a, b$ are non zero and show this leads to a contradiction.

In either case, you need a clear strategy for your proof.

For this proof, the key thing you should be thinking is: Isn't $a^2 + b^2$ always bigger than $ab$? If $a$ is bigger than $b$ then $a^2$ on its own is bigger than $ab$.

Can you use that idea to guide you through a formal proof?

By the way, the simplest way to justify that second step was just to notice that the left hand side is non-negative, hence $-ab$ is non-negative, hence $-ab = |-ab| = |a||b|$.

11. Dec 25, 2016

Isn't that what I said? "The second step can be justified by the fact that any number to an even power will be positive, except for zero."
Meaning that the left hand side is positive and therefore also the right hand side.

I'll see what I can do for the formal proof. Thank you.

12. Dec 26, 2016

Okay so.
a²+ab+b² = 0
a²+b² = -ab
a²+b² = |a||b|

1. If a=b where a,b ≠ 0, then
a²+b² = |a||b| becomes
b²+b² = |b||b|
2b² = b² which is impossible unless when b=0, thus a=0 too.

2. If a>b where a,b ≠ 0, then
a²+b² = |a||b| becomes
a²+b² > |a||b| because a² > |a||b| and therefore a²+b² - |a||b| > 0
Going back to a²+ab+b² = 0
If a²+b² is greater than |a||b| then a²+ab+b² shouldn't be able to equal 0 because in either case when ab is positive or negative, it can not cancel a²+b² because the absolute value of ab is not large enough? So a>b is impossible which leaves a=b, which in turn leaves b=0 and a=0.

Last edited: Dec 26, 2016
13. Dec 26, 2016

### Ray Vickson

Who told you that you cannot use the method of solving a quadratic equation?

14. Dec 26, 2016

### SammyS

Staff Emeritus
Look at the statement of the problem in OP.

15. Dec 26, 2016

### PeroK

I was thinking of a much simpler proof. Assume, without loss of generality, that $|a| \ge |b|$. Then:

$a^2 \ge |a||b|$

And, unless $b =0$:

$a^2 +b^2 > |a||b|$

That's the core of the proof. The key here is to use the fact that one of $a^2$ or $b^2$ on its own is larger than |ab|. With equality only when $a=b$.

16. Dec 26, 2016

"And, unless $b = 0$"
Isn't the unless $b = 0$ redundant? Because the expression holds even when b = 0.
a² + 0² > a * 0. Or maybe you meant to say unless a,b = 0? Or is it added so the complete expression remains?

"I was thinking of a much simpler proof." Does that mean my proof is correct also? I'm self studying and have never learned how to write proofs yet, so I have nothing to go on. Thanks for your patience.

17. Dec 26, 2016

### PeroK

Your proof goes round the houses, as it were. You get to the front door, the you run round the house 2-3 time and climb in a back window.

Also, you say one equation "becomes" another, that isn't logical.

You need to step back and decide what you are assuming, where this leads and how it proves the original statement.

Finally, my statement "unless $b =0$" was not redundant, as you need the strictly $>$ to rule out $b \ne 0$.

Do you want to have another go at a full proof? Here's the outline:

Assume $a^2 + ab + b^2 = 0$

Show that this implies

$a^2 + b^2 = |ab| \$ (1)

Assume, wlog (without loss of generality) that $|a| \ge |b|$

Show that $b = 0$, otherwise we have a contradiction to equation (1).

Show that also $a= 0$.

18. Dec 26, 2016

### lurflurf

$$a^2+ab+b^2=\left.\left.\frac{1}{4}\right[3(a+b)^2+(a-b)^2\right]$$

19. Dec 27, 2016

K, I understand my redundancy mistake.
Isn't 'becomes' logical because it gives no information about the action you're performing?

I'll have another try at the proof after I've made some other exercises.

20. Dec 28, 2016

if $a^2+ab+b^2=0$, assuming a and b are real, then
$a^2$ is positive
$b^2$ is positive
therefore $ab$ MUST be negative, in order for the sum to be 0.

The original equation can be rewritten as:
$(a+b)^2-ab=0$
Therefore $a+b=(ab)^{1/2}$
which the only real solution, if $ab$ IS negative, is ${a=0,b=0}$