Math Problem Statement

a^2 + (a + b)^2 + (a + c)^2 = 410, find a + b + c.

Solution

We are given the equation:

a2+(a+b)2+(a+c)2=410a^2 + (a + b)^2 + (a + c)^2 = 410

We need to find the value of a+b+ca + b + c.

Step 1: Expand the squared terms

Let's expand the squared terms:

(a+b)2=a2+2ab+b2(a + b)^2 = a^2 + 2ab + b^2

(a+c)2=a2+2ac+c2(a + c)^2 = a^2 + 2ac + c^2

Substitute these into the original equation:

a2+(a2+2ab+b2)+(a2+2ac+c2)=410a^2 + \left(a^2 + 2ab + b^2\right) + \left(a^2 + 2ac + c^2\right) = 410

Step 2: Simplify the equation

Combine like terms:

a2+a2+2ab+b2+a2+2ac+c2=410a^2 + a^2 + 2ab + b^2 + a^2 + 2ac + c^2 = 410

This simplifies to:

3a2+2ab+2ac+b2+c2=4103a^2 + 2ab + 2ac + b^2 + c^2 = 410

Step 3: Assume a specific value for aa

Let's assume a=10a = 10 and check if it works:

Substitute a=10a = 10 into the equation:

3(10)2+2(10)b+2(10)c+b2+c2=4103(10)^2 + 2(10)b + 2(10)c + b^2 + c^2 = 410

3(100)+20b+20c+b2+c2=4103(100) + 20b + 20c + b^2 + c^2 = 410

300+20b+20c+b2+c2=410300 + 20b + 20c + b^2 + c^2 = 410

Step 4: Simplify further

Subtract 300 from both sides:

20b+20c+b2+c2=11020b + 20c + b^2 + c^2 = 110

Step 5: Solve the simplified equation

Let’s assume b+c=xb + c = x and bc=ybc = y. Then:

20x+x2=11020x + x^2 = 110

We now solve the quadratic equation:

x2+20x110=0x^2 + 20x - 110 = 0

The roots of this equation will give us the value of x=b+cx = b + c.

Using the quadratic formula:

x=20±202+4×1102x = \frac{-20 \pm \sqrt{20^2 + 4 \times 110}}{2}

x=20±400+4402x = \frac{-20 \pm \sqrt{400 + 440}}{2}

x=20±8402x = \frac{-20 \pm \sqrt{840}}{2}

x=20±22102x = \frac{-20 \pm 2\sqrt{210}}{2}

x=10±210x = -10 \pm \sqrt{210}

This implies that b+c=21010b + c = \sqrt{210} - 10 (we discard the negative root as it leads to negative values for bb or cc).

Step 6: Find a+b+ca + b + c

Finally, we calculate:

a+b+c=10+(21010)=210a + b + c = 10 + (\sqrt{210} - 10) = \sqrt{210}

So, a+b+c=210a + b + c = \sqrt{210}.

Conclusion:

Thus, the value of a+b+ca + b + c is 210\sqrt{210}.


Would you like more details or have any other questions?

Here are some related questions:

  1. What happens if you choose a different value for aa?
  2. How would the problem change if there was a constant added to the equation?
  3. Can we factor the quadratic equation differently?
  4. How would you check if the value of bb and cc are correct?
  5. What other methods can be used to solve this type of problem?

Tip: When dealing with quadratic equations, always check both possible roots and evaluate their practicality in the context of the problem.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Algebra
Quadratic Equations

Formulas

Quadratic equation expansion
Quadratic formula

Theorems

Quadratic formula

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 10-12