Proving No Common Solution for Equations (1) and (2)

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on proving that the quadratic equations \(x^2 - abx + (a + b) = 0\) and \(x^2 - (a + b)x + ab = 0\) have no common solutions under the conditions \(a > 2\) and \(b > 2\). Participants utilized the discriminant method to analyze the roots of both equations, concluding that the conditions for common roots lead to a contradiction. The final consensus is that the equations are distinct and do not share any solutions for the specified values of \(a\) and \(b\).

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$ assume \,\, a>2\,\, and \,\, b>2$
$x^2-abx+(a+b)=0---(1)$
$x^2-(a+b)x+ab=0---(2)$
$prove \,\, (1)\,\, and \,\, (2)\,\, have \,\, no\,\ common \,\, solution$
 
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Looks straightforward. If there exist a number, x, such that
$x^2- abx+ (a+ b)= 0$ and
$x^2- (a+ b)x+ ab= 0$

then, subtracting, $(a- ab+ b)x+ (a- ab+ b)= 0$ which has the single solution $x= -1$. Putting $x= -1$ into both equations, $1+ ab+ a+ b= 0$ and $1+ a+ b+ ab= 0$. Since a and b are both positive numbers, that is impossible.
 
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HallsofIvy said:
Looks straightforward. If there exist a number, x, such that
$x^2- abx+ (a+ b)= 0$ and
$x^2- (a+ b)x+ ab= 0$

then, subtracting, $(a- ab+ b)x+ (a- ab+ b)= 0$ which has the single solution $x= -1$. Putting $x= -1$ into both equations, $1+ ab+ a+ b= 0$ and $1+ a+ b+ ab= 0$. Since a and b are both positive numbers, that is impossible.

One part was overlooked that a+b - ab = 0 or (a-1)(b-1) =1 this is pssible for positive a, b ( for example a = 1.5, b= 3) but not for given condition and b both greater than 2 as both terms are geater han 1 so the product.
 

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