Algebraic System of Equations

CMAT 2023 · Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation · Medium · Algebra

If x−1x=yx - \frac{1}{x} = y, y−1y=zy - \frac{1}{y} = z, z−1z=xz - \frac{1}{z} = x, then which of the following equations are true?

A. 1x+1y+1z=0\frac{1}{x} + \frac{1}{y} + \frac{1}{z} = 0 B. 1x2+1y2+1z2=8\frac{1}{x^2} + \frac{1}{y^2} + \frac{1}{z^2} = 8 C. 1xy+1yz+1zx=−3\frac{1}{xy} + \frac{1}{yz} + \frac{1}{zx} = -3

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

  1. A.

    A and B only

  2. B.

    A and C only

  3. C.

    B and C only

  4. D.

    A, B and C only

Answer

B

Explanation

Adding the three equations: x+y+z−(1x+1y+1z)=y+z+x⇒1x+1y+1z=0x + y + z - (\frac{1}{x} + \frac{1}{y} + \frac{1}{z}) = y + z + x \Rightarrow \frac{1}{x} + \frac{1}{y} + \frac{1}{z} = 0. So A is correct.

Squaring both sides of 1x+1y+1z=0\frac{1}{x} + \frac{1}{y} + \frac{1}{z} = 0 gives ∑1x2+2∑1xy=0\sum \frac{1}{x^2} + 2\sum \frac{1}{xy} = 0. Also squaring original equations x2+1x2−2=y2x^2 + \frac{1}{x^2} - 2 = y^2, summing gives ∑1x2=6\sum \frac{1}{x^2} = 6. So B is incorrect. Then 6+2∑1xy=0⇒∑1xy=−36 + 2\sum \frac{1}{xy} = 0 \Rightarrow \sum \frac{1}{xy} = -3. So C is correct.

Thus, A and C only.

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