What is the minimum value of x+yz when xy+z=160 and x,y,z are natural numbers?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around finding the minimum value of the expression \(x + yz\) under the constraint \(xy + z = 160\), where \(x\), \(y\), and \(z\) are natural numbers. The scope includes mathematical reasoning and problem-solving techniques.

Discussion Character

  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests a solution by providing the values \((x,y,z)=(79, 2, 2)\), resulting in \(x + yz = 83\), which they claim is less than 160.
  • Another participant challenges the correctness of the previous solution and mentions that the Second Partials Test indicates a saddle point, providing an example \((x,y,z)=(3,53,1)\) with \(f(x,y,z)=56\).
  • A participant reports their best result from trial and error as \((x,y,z)=(26,6,4)\), yielding \(x + yz = 50\).
  • A later reply reiterates the same values \((26,6,4)\) and asserts that this answer is correct, urging others to solve it systematically.
  • Another participant reformulates the problem by expressing \(y\) in terms of \(z\) and \(x\), leading to a derived inequality \(x + yz \geq 2\sqrt{xyz}\) and discusses the behavior of the function with respect to small values of \(z\).

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the correctness of various proposed solutions, with no consensus on a definitive minimum value established. Multiple competing values for \(x + yz\) are presented, indicating an unresolved discussion.

Contextual Notes

Some participants' claims depend on specific values of \(x\), \(y\), and \(z\) and may involve assumptions about the relationships between these variables. The discussion includes trial and error methods and mathematical inequalities without resolving the overall minimum value.

Albert1
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Given:

$x,y,z\in\mathbb{N}\text{ and }xy+z=160$

$\text{Compute }\min(x+yz)$
 
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Re: compute min(x+yz)

My solution:

We have the objective function:

$$f(x,y,z)=x+yz$$

subject to the constraint:

$$g(x,y,z)=xy+z-160=0$$

Using Lagrange multipliers, we find:

$$1=\lambda y$$

$$z=\lambda x$$

$$y=\lambda$$

This, along with the constraint, implies:

$$y=1,\,x=z$$

and so the constraint gives us:

$$x=z=80$$

The testing of $(x,y,z)=(40,2,80)$ reveals that the critical point is a minimum. Hence:

$$f_{\min}=f(80,1,80)=160$$
 
sorry the answer is not correct
I will give you an example :
(x,y,z)=(79, 2, 2)
then xy+z=160
x+yz=83<160
 
Last edited:
Albert said:
sorry the answer is not correct

I do find that the Second Partials Test reveals that the critical point is a saddle point.

If I had checked the boundaries, for example $(x,y,z)=(3,53,1)$, I would find:

$$f(x,y,z)=56$$.
 
Best I can do so far (by trial and error) is $(x,y,z) = (26,6,4)$, giving $x+yz = 50$.
 
Opalg said:
Best I can do so far (by trial and error) is $(x,y,z) = (26,6,4)$, giving $x+yz = 50$.
the answer is correct ,try to solve it systematically please
 
$x,y,z \in N $
$(xy+z=160)$
let :$y=\dfrac {160-z}{x}$ , yielding $ x + yz = x + \dfrac{z(160−z)}{x}$ .
Thus $x + yz ≥ 2\sqrt{xyz}=2\sqrt{ z(160 − z)}$
Considered as a function of z
now we begin with small values of z, and (160 − z)
such that x is close to $\sqrt{z(160 − z).}$
(Equivalently, such that :$\dfrac{x}{y}$ is close to z. or x is close to yz)
this will happen for (x,y,z)=(26,6,4)
(here 26 is close to $yz=6\times 4$ )
and we have the minimal value of x + yz is 50
 

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