Brain teaser math problem?

Consider the equation,

1/a + 1/b = 1/c, where a, b, and c are positive integers. Determine the number of solutions to this equation if a = 12. List all possible solutions.

Comments

  • First rearrange the problem to something a bit more useful:

    1/12=1/c-1/b

    So we know that c and b will be relatively close together, with c slightly less than b. The first, and most obvious solution is c=3, b=4, so we have 1/3-1/4=1/12.

    It's also obvious that this is the smallest possible value, so we'll try some larger values. Of course, if c is any bigger than 12, it's impossible to find b (it would have to be infinitely big!) so we only have to try values of c between 3 and 12. Now it's just a simple search.

    First we find c=4, b=6.

    The next solution is c=6, b=12, since 1/6-1/12=1/12.

    Next we have c=8, b=24.

    Then c=9, b=36.

    Finally c=10, b=60, and that's our last answer!

  • I think the answer is "no solutions" because anything you put for b would require a number greater than 1 above c.

    for example:

    1/12 + 1/2 = 7/12

    1/12 + 1/6000 = 501/6000

    I think it works like that for every number

    edit: well 1/12 + 1/12 = 1/6... maybe I'm wrong... sorry

  • There are 4 same varieties. Label squares A to H left to precise, and a million to eight proper to backside. Then the trend is: A1 B1 C1 D1 E1 F1 A2 E2 F2 G2 E3 F3 G3 E4 G4 F5 different 3 same varieties obtained via consecutive ninety degree rotations.

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