Find all triplets (x,y,z) that satisfy: x^2012+y^2012+z^2012=3, x^2013+y^2013+z^2013=3, x^2014+y^2014+z^2014=3 Trivial solution: (1,1,1)

Linda Peters

Linda Peters

Answered question

2022-09-23

Find all triplets ( x , y , z ) that satisfy:
x 2012 + y 2012 + z 2012 = 3 x 2013 + y 2013 + z 2013 = 3 x 2014 + y 2014 + z 2014 = 3
Trivial solution: ( 1 , 1 , 1 )

Answer & Explanation

Amiya Watkins

Amiya Watkins

Beginner2022-09-24Added 6 answers

Let e 1 , e 2 and e 3 be LHS of the the first, second and third equations respectivelly, then:
e 3 2 e 2 + e 1 = x 2012 ( x 2 2 x + 1 ) + y 2012 ( y 2 2 y + 1 ) + z 2012 ( z 2 2 z + 1 ) = 0 x 2012 ( x 1 ) 2 + y 2012 ( y 1 ) 2 + z 2012 ( z 1 ) 2 = 0
Since all the sumands are product of even powers, they cannot be negative, so they all are 1. That means that each unknown is either 0 or 1. But only if they all are 1 the original equations hold.
Generalize this to n equations of the same kind and n unknowns:
{ x 1 a + x 2 a + x 3 a + + x n a = n x 1 a + 1 + x 2 a + 1 + x 3 a + 1 + + x n a + 1 = n x 1 a + 2 + x 2 a + 2 + x 3 a + 2 + + x n a + 2 = n x 1 a + n 1 + x 2 a + n 1 + x 3 a + n 1 + + x n a + n 1 = n
With a even and n odd.
Then we wan define e j as the L H S of the j-th equation. Then:
k = 1 n ( n k ) ( 1 ) k + 1 e k = k = 1 n x k a ( x k 1 ) n 1 = 0
So same as before, each x k is either 1 or 0, but only the n-tuple ( 1 , 1 , , 1 ) satisfies the equation.
If all the RHS are m < n with m a positive integer, then the solutions are the n-tuples with m ones and n m zeros permutated.
Ilnaus5

Ilnaus5

Beginner2022-09-25Added 2 answers

While the method already posted is nice, can't resist this hint - from the first and last equation, by the inequality of power means
x 2014 + y 2014 + z 2014 3 2014 x 2012 + y 2012 + z 2012 3 2012
with equality iff | x | = | y | = | z | = 1. Now using the second equation, the unique answer is obvious.

Do you have a similar question?

Recalculate according to your conditions!

Ask your question.
Get an expert answer.

Let our experts help you. Answer in as fast as 15 minutes.

Didn't find what you were looking for?