Browse · MATH
Printjmc
algebra senior
Problem
Let be the set of all triples of positive integers for which there exist triangles with side lengths Compute
Solution
For a triangle with side lengths let and let By the Triangle Inequality, and are all positive. (This technique is often referred to as the Ravi Substitution.) Note that If is even, then and are all positive integers. So, we can set and which gives us the parameterization
If is odd, then and are all of the form where is a positive integer. So, we can set and This gives us the parameterization
Thus, our sum is
If is odd, then and are all of the form where is a positive integer. So, we can set and This gives us the parameterization
Thus, our sum is
Final answer
\frac{17}{21}