Let x,y, and z be nonzero real numbers, such that no two are equal, and
x+1y=y+1z=z+1x
Find all possible numeric values of xyz.
Thanks in advance! (also, as a bonus question, how do you center LATEX in web2.0calc? Thanks.
I think it is double dollar signs:
0
Hint: Multiply the equations by xyz.
No problem! Also, if you want LaTeX text, you can use the \text{} environment:
Wow, this is clearer text!
cool!
Anyway, I didn't exactly multiply by $xyz$, but now I'm at a point where I have this equation
$(y-x)(y-z)(z-x)= \frac{(y-x)(y-z)(z-x)}{x^2y^2z^2}$
Any pointers on how to continue from here?
Wait I have a thought.
There are only two cases in which these two equations are equal to each other.
The first case is when two the variables are $0$, effectively leading the equation to be zero.
The second case is when $x^2y^2z^2 = 1$.
We're looking for the square root of this, so does it mean that the only solutions are $-1$ and $1$. Or are there other possible solutions?