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2005 PMWC Problems/Problem I2

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Problem

Let \frac{1}{a}+\frac{1}{b}+\frac{1}{c}=\frac{1}{2005}, where a and b are different four-digit positive integers (natural numbers) and c is a five-digit positive integer (natural number). What is the number c?

Solution

The following solution is non-rigorous.

Consider the easier question \frac{1}{a} + \frac{1}{b} + \frac{1}{c} = 1. The solution with unique values is a = 2, b = 3, c = 6. If we use this format to guess for a, b, c in the problem, then we find that a = 2 \cdot 2005, b = 3 \cdot 2005, c = 6 \cdot 2005 = 12030. These fit the conditions, so the answer is 12030.

See also

2005 PMWC (Problems)
Preceded by
Problem T1
Followed by
Problem T3
I: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
T: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
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