Math Help - Maths Question

1. Maths Question

I'm having trouble working out this question. Could someone please provide working on how to solve this.

If $2x = a + b + c$, show that $(x-a)^2 + (x-b)^2 + (x-c)^2 + x^2 = a^2 + b^2 + c^2$

2. Originally Posted by acevipa
I'm having trouble working out this question. Could someone please provide working on how to solve this.

If $2x = a + b + c$, show that $(x-a)^2 + (x-b)^2 + (x-c)^2 + x^2 = a^2 + b^2 + c^2$
There are elegant ways and brutal ways ......

Brutal:

1. Sub $x = \frac{a}{2} + \frac{b}{2} + \frac{c}{2}$ into $(x-a)^2 + (x-b)^2 + (x-c)^2 + x^2$.

2. Expand the above.

3. Simplify the above.

3. Originally Posted by acevipa
I'm having trouble working out this question. Could someone please provide working on how to solve this.

If $2x = a + b + c$, show that $(x-a)^2 + (x-b)^2 + (x-c)^2 + x^2 = a^2 + b^2 + c^2$
And elegant:

$(x-a)^2 + (x-b)^2 + (x-c)^2 + x^2 = x^2 - 2ax + a^2 + x^2 - 2bx + b^2 + x^2 - 2cx + c^2 + x^2$

$= a^2 + b^2 + c^2 + 4x^2 -2x(a + b + c)$.

Substitute $a + b + c = 2x$:

$= a^2 + b^2 + c^2 + 4x^2 -4x^2 = a^2 + b^2 + c^2$.

Let your mood decide which way is for you.