MathDB
A cyclic system of equations with two possible outcomes

Source: Germany 2019, Problem 6

June 20, 2019
algebrasystem of equations

Problem Statement

Suppose that real numbers x,yx,y and zz satisfy the following equations:
\begin{align*} x+\frac{y}{z} &=2,\\ y+\frac{z}{x} &=2,\\ z+\frac{x}{y} &=2. \end{align*}
Show that s=x+y+zs=x+y+z must be equal to 33 or 77.
Note: It is not required to show the existence of such numbers x,y,zx,y,z.