Algebra Challenge

I have 3 numbers, lets call them a, b and c. I am surprised to see that one of the pairs is such that the difference between the two numbers is exactly equal to the difference between their squares.

ie a-b = a^2-b^2

when I look at the other pairs I find that in one pair the difference between their squares is twice their difference and in the final pair the difference between their squares is thrice their difference.

What is the sum of a, b and c?

(The problem is easy ... your solution must be concise!)

I think you need one further condition...unless you state that a, b and c are different numbers then there is no unique solution.

if a!=b!=c, then the answer is 3.

Originally posted by wolfgang59
I have 3 numbers, lets call them a, b and c. I am surprised to see that one of the pairs is such that the difference between the two numbers is exactly equal to the difference between their squares.

ie a-b = a^2-b^2

when I look at the other pairs I find that in one pair the difference between their squares is twice their difference and in the final ...[text shortened]... e.

What is the sum of a, b and c?

(The problem is easy ... your solution must be concise!)

Dang! Didn't see your post there zzyw.

Originally posted by PBE6
At first I thought there were no solutions if a =/= b =/= c, but after a little algebra I believe I have an answer, and that a+b+c = 3.

Originally posted by zzyw
if a!=b!=c, then the answer is 3.

Originally posted by wolfgang59
But how did you get there? Its the technique I was after!!

Originally posted by mtthw
a^2 - b^2 = a - b
b^2 - c^2 = 2(b - c)
c^2 - a^2 = 3(c - a)

Note that a^2 - b^2 = (a - b)(a + b)

If a, b and c are all different, we can divide each line by (a - b), (b - c) and (c - a) respectively.

a + b = 1
b + c = 2
c + a = 3

Add them up (and divide by 2): a + b + c = 3.

If the ratios are p, q and r, then the same process shows that:
a + b + c = (p + q + r)/2