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238^2 (ab)^{239} <1 if a^{239} = ac- 1 , b^{239} = bc- 1 for different a,b,c>0

Source: 239 MO 2021 8-9 p4

May 2, 2021
algebrainequalities

Problem Statement

Different positive a,b,ca, b, c are such that a239=ac1a^{239} = ac- 1 and b239=bc1b^{239} = bc- 1.Prove that 2382(ab)239<1238^2 (ab)^{239} <1.