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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around finding all ordered triples \((x, y, z)\) that satisfy a system of equations involving products and sums of the variables. The scope includes mathematical reasoning and exploration of potential solutions.

Discussion Character

  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that assuming \(xyz=0\) leads to a contradiction, suggesting \(xyz \neq 0\) is necessary.
  • One participant derives equations by dividing the original equations by \(xyz\) and finds relationships among the variables.
  • Case analysis is presented, leading to solutions where \(x=y=z\) or \(y=1\), resulting in specific ordered triples like \((2,2,2)\), \((-3,-3,-3)\), and permutations of \((1,1,5)\).
  • Another participant highlights the importance of recognizing permutations of solutions, indicating that some solutions may not be immediately obvious.
  • There is mention of a broader question regarding solutions to a generalized form of the equations with a variable \(a\).

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the completeness of the solutions, with some asserting that all solutions have been found while others question whether additional solutions exist. There is no consensus on whether all possible solutions have been identified.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express uncertainty about the completeness of the solutions and the implications of the assumptions made during the analysis. The discussion reveals a dependence on the definitions and conditions set by the equations.

Who May Find This Useful

Readers interested in mathematical problem-solving, particularly in systems of equations and algebraic reasoning, may find this discussion relevant.

anemone
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Find all ordered triples $(x,\,y,\,z)$ that satisfy the following system of equations:

$xy+z=6$

$yz+x=6$

$zx+y=6$
 
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anemone said:
Find all ordered triples $(x,\,y,\,z)$ that satisfy the following system of equations:

$xy+z=6$

$yz+x=6$

$zx+y=6$

Hello.

z=6-xy

6y-xy^2+x=6 \rightarrow{}6(y-1)=x(y^2-1)

6=x(y+1)(*)

6x-x^2y+y=6 \rightarrow{}6(x-1)=y(x^2-1)

6=y(x+1)(**)

For (*) and (**):

x(y+1)=y(x+1) \rightarrow{}x=y

Same:

x=6-yz

...

...

y=z

Conclusion:

x=y=z

Therefore:

xy+z=6 \rightarrow{} x^2+x-6=0

Resolving:

x=2 , \ and \ x=-3

Solution:

(2,2,2),(-3,-3,-3)

Regards.
 
There are also:

(1,1,5) and (5,1,1)

But have we found them all? ;)
 
MarkFL said:
There are also:

(1,1,5) and (5,1,1)

But have we found them all? ;)

What I can not deduct:

(1,1,5),(1,5,1),(5,1,1)

I I had lying down to sleep, and I've had to raise this issue again. now yes I, which is late.

Regards.
 
[sp]
Assume that $xyz=0$ then we get a contradiction. So it must be $xyz\neq 0$. Divide all equations by $xyz$.

$$\frac{1}{z}+\frac{1}{xy}=\frac{6}{xyz}
$$
$$\frac{1}{x}+\frac{1}{yz}=\frac{6}{xyz}
$$
$$\frac{1}{y}+\frac{1}{xz}=\frac{6}{xyz}
$$
so we get

$$\frac{1}{z}+\frac{1}{xy}=\frac{1}{x}+\frac{1}{yz}=\frac{1}{y}+\frac{1}{xz}$$

Consider

$$\frac{1}{z}+\frac{1}{xy}=\frac{1}{x}+\frac{1}{yz}$$

Then we have

$$\frac{1}{z}-\frac{1}{x}=\frac{1}{yz}-\frac{1}{xy}$$

$$\frac{1}{z}-\frac{1}{x}=\frac{1}{y}\left(\frac{1}{z}-\frac{1}{x} \right)$$

Case [1]

$$\frac{1}{x}-\frac{1}{z}=0$$

So $$x=y=z$$, Hence $$x^2+x=6$$ and we have the solutions $$(2,2,2),(-3,-3,-3)$$.

Case [2]

$$\frac{1}{x}-\frac{1}{z}\neq 0$$

Then $$y=1$$ so we have

$$\frac{1}{x}+\frac{1}{z}=1+\frac{1}{xz}$$

or $x(1-z)=1-z$ then it is immediate that either $$x=1$$ or $$z=1$$

By symmetry of solutions we have $$(1,1,5),(1,5,1),(5,1,1)$$

[/sp]
 
mente oscura said:
Hello.

z=6-xy

6y-xy^2+x=6 \rightarrow{}6(y-1)=x(y^2-1)

6=x(y+1)(*)

6x-x^2y+y=6 \rightarrow{}6(x-1)=y(x^2-1)

6=y(x+1)(**)

For (*) and (**):

x(y+1)=y(x+1) \rightarrow{}x=y

Same:

x=6-yz

...

...

y=z

Conclusion:

x=y=z

Therefore:

xy+z=6 \rightarrow{} x^2+x-6=0

Resolving:

x=2 , \ and \ x=-3

Solution:

(2,2,2),(-3,-3,-3)

MarkFL said:
There are also:

(1,1,5) and (5,1,1)

But have we found them all? ;)

Thanks MarkFL for pointing this out!

Regards.

mente oscura said:
What I can not deduct:

(1,1,5),(1,5,1),(5,1,1)

I I had lying down to sleep, and I've had to raise this issue again. now yes I, which is late.

Regards.

Thanks, mente for participating and yes, all those 5 solutions are the complete answer to this problem.
 
mente oscura said:
Hello.

z=6-xy

6y-xy^2+x=6 \rightarrow{}6(y-1)=x(y^2-1)

6=x(y+1)(*)

6x-x^2y+y=6 \rightarrow{}6(x-1)=y(x^2-1)

6=y(x+1)(**)

For (*) and (**):

x(y+1)=y(x+1) \rightarrow{}x=y

Same:

x=6-yz

...

...

y=z

Conclusion:

x=y=z

Therefore:

xy+z=6 \rightarrow{} x^2+x-6=0

Resolving:

x=2 , \ and \ x=-3

Solution:

(2,2,2),(-3,-3,-3)

Regards.

the case that was left out was y = 1
y =1 gives x + z = 6, xz = 5 solving it we get
y = 1 , x = 5, z = 1
y = 1 ,z = 5, x = 1

similarly we can find one more x = 5, y = 1, z = 1

actually 2 solutions for y = 1 , 2 for z = 1 and 2 for x = 1 but that is 3 solutions in duplicate
 
ZaidAlyafey said:
[sp]
Assume that $xyz=0$ then we get a contradiction. So it must be $xyz\neq 0$. Divide all equations by $xyz$.

$$\frac{1}{z}+\frac{1}{xy}=\frac{6}{xyz}
$$
$$\frac{1}{x}+\frac{1}{yz}=\frac{6}{xyz}
$$
$$\frac{1}{y}+\frac{1}{xz}=\frac{6}{xyz}
$$
so we get

$$\frac{1}{z}+\frac{1}{xy}=\frac{1}{x}+\frac{1}{yz}=\frac{1}{y}+\frac{1}{xz}$$

Consider

$$\frac{1}{z}+\frac{1}{xy}=\frac{1}{x}+\frac{1}{yz}$$

Then we have

$$\frac{1}{z}-\frac{1}{x}=\frac{1}{yz}-\frac{1}{xy}$$

$$\frac{1}{z}-\frac{1}{x}=\frac{1}{y}\left(\frac{1}{z}-\frac{1}{x} \right)$$

Case [1]

$$\frac{1}{x}-\frac{1}{z}=0$$

So $$x=y=z$$, Hence $$x^2+x=6$$ and we have the solutions $$(2,2,2),(-3,-3,-3)$$.

Case [2]

$$\frac{1}{x}-\frac{1}{z}\neq 0$$

Then $$y=1$$ so we have

$$\frac{1}{x}+\frac{1}{z}=1+\frac{1}{xz}$$

or $x(1-z)=1-z$ then it is immediate that either $$x=1$$ or $$z=1$$

By symmetry of solutions we have $$(1,1,5),(1,5,1),(5,1,1)$$

[/sp]

Thanks to you too, Zaid for participating and showing us another way to solve the problem.

kaliprasad said:
the case that was left out was y = 1
y =1 gives x + z = 6, xz = 5 solving it we get
y = 1 , x = 5, z = 1
y = 1 ,z = 5, x = 1

similarly we can find one more x = 5, y = 1, z = 1

actually 2 solutions for y = 1 , 2 for z = 1 and 2 for x = 1 but that is 3 solutions in duplicate

Yes, you're absolutely right, kaliprasad! I think mente oscura realized it, but it's just that he was too tired and yet wanted to solve some challenge problems on his way to go to bed. :)
 
I wouldn't have arrived to the solutions unless Mark pointed out the other possiblities. It wasn't quite easy to see that the permutations of [sp]$$(1,1,5)$$[/sp] is a solution. At first glance I thought of using the interesting formula

$$x^3+y^3+z^3=(x+y+z)(x^2+y^2+z^2-xy-xz-yz)+3xyz$$.

One interesting question is to look at all the solutions of

$$xy+z=a$$
$$xz+y=a$$
$$zy+x=a$$

where the domain is complex numbers.
 
  • #10
anemone said:
Thanks to you too, Zaid for participating and showing us another way to solve the problem.
Yes, you're absolutely right, kaliprasad! I think mente oscura realized it, but it's just that he was too tired and yet wanted to solve some challenge problems on his way to go to bed. :)

Hello.:o (Time)

The time difference is (Yawn)

My last post: 5:45 AM

Regards.
 

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