Question

b=3-a
C = 4-a-b
3a + 2b + c = 8

Answer 1

Respuesta:

Date: 11/08/2001 at 17:12:29

From: Doctor Greenie

Subject: Re: Advanced Algebra

Hello, Phil -

I have seen problems like this before, but I have never taken the time

to try to finish working one of them out to the end. Having had some

free time since I first saw this question of yours, I have solved this

problem - not just your specific case, but the general case. Thanks

for sending the question; it gave me a lot of good (and enjoyable)

mental exercise.

I'll present my solution roughly as I was able to figure it out. The

actual path I took to the solution was more convoluted than the

presentation below; I have cleaned things up a bit.

We start with

(1) a+b+c = 3

(2) a^2+b^2+c^2 = 5

(3) a^3+b^3+c^3 = 7