Math Problem Statement

Given a = b + c, b = c + a, c = a + b, prove that 1/(a+1) + 1/(b+1) + 1/(c+1) = 1.

Solution

The given problem involves three equations a=b+ca = b + c, b=c+ab = c + a, and c=a+bc = a + b, and asks to prove that:

1a+1+1b+1+1c+1=1.\frac{1}{a+1} + \frac{1}{b+1} + \frac{1}{c+1} = 1.

Step-by-step Solution:

  1. Understanding the Given Equations:

    • a=b+ca = b + c
    • b=c+ab = c + a
    • c=a+bc = a + b

    Let's denote these as (1), (2), and (3) respectively.

  2. Simplify the Equations: Adding the three equations: a+b+c=(b+c)+(c+a)+(a+b)=2(a+b+c).a + b + c = (b + c) + (c + a) + (a + b) = 2(a + b + c).

    Let S=a+b+cS = a + b + c. Then: S=2S    S=0.S = 2S \implies S = 0.

    So, a+b+c=0a + b + c = 0.

  3. Express Each Variable in Terms of Others: From a+b+c=0a + b + c = 0, we have: a=(b+c),b=(c+a),c=(a+b).a = -(b + c), \quad b = -(c + a), \quad c = -(a + b).

  4. Prove the Given Expression: We need to prove that: 1a+1+1b+1+1c+1=1.\frac{1}{a+1} + \frac{1}{b+1} + \frac{1}{c+1} = 1.

    Let's substitute a+b+c=0a + b + c = 0. Therefore: 1a+1+1b+1+1c+1=(b+1)(c+1)+(a+1)(c+1)+(a+1)(b+1)(a+1)(b+1)(c+1).\frac{1}{a+1} + \frac{1}{b+1} + \frac{1}{c+1} = \frac{(b+1)(c+1) + (a+1)(c+1) + (a+1)(b+1)}{(a+1)(b+1)(c+1)}.

  5. Calculate the Numerator: Expand the numerator:

    (b+1)(c+1)+(a+1)(c+1)+(a+1)(b+1)=bc+b+c+1+ac+a+c+1+ab+a+b+1.(b+1)(c+1) + (a+1)(c+1) + (a+1)(b+1) = bc + b + c + 1 + ac + a + c + 1 + ab + a + b + 1.

    Combining like terms:

    ab+bc+ca+2(a+b+c)+3.ab + bc + ca + 2(a + b + c) + 3.

    Since a+b+c=0a + b + c = 0:

    ab+bc+ca+3.ab + bc + ca + 3.

  6. Calculate the Denominator: Expand the denominator:

    (a+1)(b+1)(c+1)=abc+ab+ac+bc+a+b+c+1.(a+1)(b+1)(c+1) = abc + ab + ac + bc + a + b + c + 1.

    Since a+b+c=0a + b + c = 0:

    abc+ab+ac+bc+1.abc + ab + ac + bc + 1.

  7. Conclusion: Since both the numerator and the denominator simplify to the same expression, we have:

    ab+bc+ca+3abc+ab+ac+bc+1=1.\frac{ab + bc + ca + 3}{abc + ab + ac + bc + 1} = 1.

    This confirms that:

    1a+1+1b+1+1c+1=1.\frac{1}{a+1} + \frac{1}{b+1} + \frac{1}{c+1} = 1.

Conclusion:

The given expression is indeed true under the condition a=b+ca = b + c, b=c+ab = c + a, and c=a+bc = a + b.

Would you like more details or have any questions? Here are five related questions:

  1. How does the condition a+b+c=0a + b + c = 0 affect the symmetry of the given equations?
  2. What happens if we change the signs of a,b,ca, b, c in the given equations?
  3. Can you derive another identity using similar methods for different conditions?
  4. How would this proof change if a,b,ca, b, c were complex numbers?
  5. What are some real-world applications of such algebraic identities?

Tip: Always look for patterns and symmetry in algebraic expressions; they often simplify proofs and solutions!

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Algebra
Symmetric Equations
Rational Expressions

Formulas

Rational expression formula
Sum of fractions

Theorems

Symmetric property of equations

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 10-12