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Bunuel
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Bunuel
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Hello,

a + b + ab = 34

add +1 to both sides

a + b+ ab + 1 =34+1

a(1+b) + (b+1) = 35

(b+1) (a + 1) =35

Hope it helps.


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I didn't get the part in which you go from:

a(1+b) + b + 1 = 35

to

(a+1)(b+1) = 35

Could you please elaborate just a lil more?


Thanks a lot!

cheers to y'aal!
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Miracles86
I didn't get the part in which you go from:

a(1+b) + b + 1 = 35

to

(a+1)(b+1) = 35

Could you please elaborate just a lil more?


Thanks a lot!

cheers to y'aal!

Factor out b + 1 our of a(b + 1) + (b + 1) = 35 to get (b + 1)(a + 1) = 35.
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Obviously.... silly me!

Thanks
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the question stem says three distinct positive integers and the product is equal to the square of the highest no.
which means the product is equal to the highest number.

lets say abc, c being the highest no.
a*b*c= c^2
which implies ab=c

first choice explanation
a+b+c=34
adding 1 on both sides
a+b+c+1=34+1
we know ab=c
a+b+ab+1=35
a+ab+b+=35
a(1+b) + (1+b)=35
taking (1+b) out
(1+b)(1+a)=35
factors of 35=1,5,7,35
(1,35) cannot be the pair as a or b is a positive integer
(5,7) is the pair
which means (4,6) is a pair for (a,b)

hence the product is 24
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I have edited the question and the solution by adding more details to enhance its clarity. I hope it is now easier to understand.
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