SpecialEquation Intermediate

Problem - 3669
Let $a$, $b$, and $c$ be three distinct numbers such that $$\frac{a+b}{a-b}=\frac{b+c}{2(b-c)}=\frac{c+a}{3(c-a)}$$ Prove that $8a + 9b + 5c = 0$.

Let's first solve the following system $$ \left\{ \begin{array}{ccc} x+z&=8\\ x+y&=9\\ y+z&=5 \end{array} \right. \implies \left\{ \begin{array}{c} x=6\\ y=3\\ z=2 \end{array} \right. $$ Then, from the given conditions, we have $$\frac{6(a+b)}{6(a-b)}=\frac{3(b+c)}{6(b-c)}=\frac{2(c+a)}{6(c-a)}=k$$ where $k$ is a constant. \begin{align*} \therefore\quad &8a + 9b+5c \\ &= 6(a+b)+3(b+c)+2(c+a)\\ &= k\Big(6(a-b)+6(b-c)+6(c-a)\Big)\\ &= \boxed{0} \end{align*}

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