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jmc

algebra intermediate

Problem

Find the number of triples of real numbers that satisfy Note: For a real number
Solution
Since can be 0, or 1, can be 4037, 2018, or The same holds for and But we can then check that cannot be 0, so can only be 4037 or And again, the same holds for and

If any two of and are equal to then the third must be equal to 4037. Conversely, if any of are equal to 4037, then the other two must be equal to Therefore, the only solutions are and giving us solutions.
Final answer
3