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MMO 332 Moscow MO 1956 4x4 parameter system

Source:

August 19, 2019
algebrasystem of equationsparameterization

Problem Statement

Prove that the system of equations {x1x2=ax3x4=bx1+x2+x3+x4=1\begin{cases} x_1 - x_2 = a \\ x_3 - x_4 = b \\ x_1 + x_2 + x_3 + x_4 = 1\end{cases} has at least one solution in positive numbers (x1,x2,x3,x4>0x_1 ,x_2 ,x_3 ,x_4>0) if and only if a+b<1|a| + |b| < 1.