Can You Solve This Real Number System of Equations?

  • MHB
  • Thread starter anemone
  • Start date
In summary, a system of equations is a collection of two or more equations that share a set of variables and can be solved to find the values of those variables. Solving a system of equations is important in various fields and can be done using methods such as substitution, elimination, and graphing. A system of equations can have one, infinite, or no solutions, and a solution is valid if it satisfies all of the equations in the system.
  • #1
anemone
Gold Member
MHB
POTW Director
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Here is this week's POTW:

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Let $a,\,b,\,c$ and $d$ be the real numbers which satisfy the system of equations below:

$a+b+2ab=3$
$b+c+2bc=4$
$c+d+2cd=5$

Evaluate $d+a+2da$.

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  • #2
Congratulations to the following members for their correct solution!(Cool)

1. castor28
2. Opalg
3. Olinguito
4. kaliprasad

Solution from castor28:
We write the equations as:
\begin{align*}
a &= \frac{3-b}{2b+1}&[1]\\
b &= \frac{4-c}{2c+1}&[2]\\
c &= \frac{5-d}{2d+1}&[3]
\end{align*}
Substituting $b$ from $[2]$ into $[1]$ gives:
$$
a = \frac{7c-1}{9}
$$
Substituting $c$ from $[3]$ in this equation gives:
$$
a = \frac{34-9d}{9(2d+1)}
$$
Finally, substituting $a$ from this equation into $d+a+2da$ gives:
\begin{align*}
d+a+2da &= d + \frac{34-9d}{9(2d+1)} + 2d\frac{34-9d}{9(2d+1)}\\
&= d + \frac{(34-9d)(2d+1)}{9(2d+1)}\\
&= \bf\frac{34}{9}
\end{align*}

Alternate solution from Olinguito:
We write the equations as:
\begin{align*}
a &= \frac{3-b}{2b+1}&[1]\\
b &= \frac{4-c}{2c+1}&[2]\\
c &= \frac{5-d}{2d+1}&[3]
\end{align*}
Substituting $b$ from $[2]$ into $[1]$ gives:
$$
a = \frac{7c-1}{9}
$$
Substituting $c$ from $[3]$ in this equation gives:
$$
a = \frac{34-9d}{9(2d+1)}
$$
Finally, substituting $a$ from this equation into $d+a+2da$ gives:
\begin{align*}
d+a+2da &= d + \frac{34-9d}{9(2d+1)} + 2d\frac{34-9d}{9(2d+1)}\\
&= d + \frac{(34-9d)(2d+1)}{9(2d+1)}\\
&= \bf\frac{34}{9}
\end{align*}

Second alternate solution from Olinguito:
Let
$$A\ =\ \frac1{\sqrt2}+a\sqrt2 \\\\ B\ =\ \frac1{\sqrt2}+b\sqrt2 \\\\ C\ =\ \frac1{\sqrt2}+c\sqrt2 \\\\ D\ =\ \frac1{\sqrt2}+d\sqrt2.$$
Then
$$AB\ =\ \frac12+a+b+2ab\ =\ \frac72 \\\\ BC\ =\ \frac12+b+c+2bc\ =\ \frac92 \\\\ CD\ =\ \frac12+c+d+2cd\ =\ \frac{11}2.$$
$\implies\ AD\ =\ \dfrac{(AB)(CD)}{(BC)}\ =\ \dfrac{\left(\dfrac72\right)\left(\dfrac{11}2\right)}{\left(\dfrac92\right)}\ =\ \dfrac{77}{18}.$

Hence

$d+a+2da\ =\ DA-\dfrac12\ =\ \dfrac{77}{18}-\dfrac12\ =\ \boxed{\dfrac{34}9}.$
 

Related to Can You Solve This Real Number System of Equations?

1. What is a system of equations?

A system of equations is a set of two or more equations that contain two or more variables. The goal is to find values for the variables that satisfy all of the equations simultaneously.

2. How do you solve a system of equations?

There are several methods for solving a system of equations, including substitution, elimination, and graphing. The most efficient method depends on the specific equations given.

3. What are real numbers?

Real numbers are numbers that can be represented on a number line. They include all rational and irrational numbers, such as integers, fractions, decimals, and square roots.

4. Can a system of equations have more than one solution?

Yes, a system of equations can have one, infinitely many, or no solutions. This depends on the specific equations and their relationship to each other.

5. How can solving a system of equations be useful?

Solving a system of equations can be used to find the intersection point of two lines, determine the solution to a real-world problem, or prove that two geometric figures are congruent. It is a fundamental tool in algebra and has many practical applications in various fields of science and engineering.

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