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jmc

algebra intermediate

Problem

Given that , , and are nonzero real numbers, find all possible values of the expression Enter all possible values, separated by commas.
Solution
We can write Note that is 1 if is positive, and if is negative. Thus, depends only on the sign of , and similarly for the terms and .

Furthermore, the expression is symmetric in , , and , so if is the number of numbers among , , and that are positive, then the value of the given expression depends only on .

If , then If , then If , then If , then Therefore, the possible values of the expression are .
Final answer
4, 0, -4