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jmc

algebra senior

Problem

If , , and are positive integers such that , find .
Solution
Usually when we apply Simon's Favorite Factoring Trick, we have two variables. Maybe we can find an adaptation for three variables. We notice that four of the terms on the left hand side have a factor of in them, so we can factor it out as: This looks promising! Add to each side and continue factoring: Now we can proceed with the two-variable version of Simon's Favorite Factoring Trick on the remaining four-term factor: The prime factorization of is . We must find numbers which multiply to and assign them to , , and . We know none of the factors can be negative, since then we would have a negative solution for , or , which must be positive numbers. Similarly, no factor can be because that would give either , , or , none of which is allowable. There are only non-one factors which multiply to , so in some order our three factors must be , , and .

We examine the term. If this factor is equal to , then , which is not an integer. So and . The remaining factors must equal . Setting gives , and setting gives . Thus .
Final answer
10