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Estonian Math Competitions

Estonia algebra

Problem

Do there exist real numbers , , , that meet the following system of equations?
Solution
The first equation implies . Thus , implying also . Similarly from the second, third and fourth equations we obtain , and , respectively. The sum of negative numbers , , , is negative, contradicting the fifth equation.

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Alternative solution.

Suppose that the system has a solution. W.l.o.g., let be variable with the largest value. Then , which by the last equation implies . Consequently, also . As , this implies , contradicting the first equation. Hence no solution can exist.

Techniques

Linear and quadratic inequalitiesSimple Equations