puzzle 2

[DivideByZero]

A quick problem. Requires a little high school math reasoning.

 

(x^2)(y) = x

(z)(x) = y

 

x, y, and z are not zero, +/-infinity, or +/- 1.

Solve for x, y, and z.

(there is a solution)

[Country Boy]

A quick problem. Requires a little high school math reasoning.

 

(x^2)(y) = x

(z)(x) = y

 

x, y, and z are not zero, +/-infinity, or +/- 1.

Solve for x, y, and z.

(there is a solution)

Since x is not 0, from the first equation y= 1/x. Then the second equation becomes zx= 1/x so z= 1/x^2. I'm not sure why you wrote "there is a solution". Generally, if you have 2 equations with 3 unknown numbers, there are an infinite number of solutions: choose x to be anything other than 0 or +/- 1 and solve for y and z. For example, x= 2, y= 1/2, z= 1/4 so x^2y= (4)(1/2)= 2= x, zx= (1/4)(2)= 1/2= y. Another, x=3, y= 1/3, z= 1/9 so that x^2y= 9(1/3)= 3= x, zx=(3)(1/9)= 1/3= y. Etc.

[Mr Skeptic]

A quick problem. Requires a little high school math reasoning.

 

(x^2)(y) = x

(z)(x) = y

 

x, y, and z are not zero, +/-infinity, or +/- 1.

Solve for x, y, and z.

(there is a solution)

 

Solution:

x = 1/y

y = y

z = y^2

 

y may be anything but 0, +/- infinity, +/- 1. There are then an infinite number of solutions, as would be expected from 2 equations and 3 unknowns. Perhaps there is something missing here?

[Country Boy]

"DivideByZero" seems to think it amusing to give a question so vaguely phrased that he can then declare that no one has answered it correctly.

[DivideByZero]

My solution was actually [math]x=i^3[/MATH], [MATH]y=i[/MATH], [MATH]z=i^2[/MATH].

I was hoping this problem would only have one solution (this) but apparently I rushed myself to post this...

[thedarkshade]

"DivideByZero" seems to think it amusing to give a question so vaguely phrased that he can then declare that no one has answered it correctly.

Yeah, you're right!

And DivideByZero, this is not the place to ask question that you already know the answer so you can test others and make yourself look smart! This is a discussion forum!

[iNow]

Yeah, you're right!

And DivideByZero, this is not the place to ask question that you already know the answer so you can test others and make yourself look smart! This is a discussion forum!

 

darkshade, riddles are fine. Many members here enjoy a good riddle. It's just important that it make sense and is internally consistent.

 

dividedbyzero, feel free to post another. Just make sure that it makes sense prior to doing so.

 

 

Cheers.

[DivideByZero]

sorry thedarkshade, thanks iNow.

[thedarkshade]

darkshade, riddles are fine. Many members here enjoy a good riddle. It's just important that it make sense and is internally consistent.

I think there is another place to post puzzles. It's called "Brain Teasers and Puzzles":mad: !