Q.If \(\cfrac{x}{y+z}=\cfrac{y}{z+x}=\cfrac{z}{x+y}\), then prove that each ratio is equal to \(\cfrac{1}{2}\) or 1.

Let \(\cfrac{x}{y+z}=\cfrac{y}{z+x}=\cfrac{z}{x+y}=k\).

[\(k\) is a nonzero constant]


So, \(x=k(y+z)\), \(y=k(z+x)\), and

\(z=k(x+y)\)

\(\therefore x+y+z=k(y+z)+k(z+x)\)

\(+k(x+y)\)

Or, \(x+y+z=k(y+z+z+x+x+y)\)
Or, \(x+y+z=2k(x+y+z)\)
Or, \((x+y+z)-2k(x+y+z)=0\)
Or, \((x+y+z)(1-2k)=0\)

\(\therefore\) Either \(x+y+z=0\)
Or, \(1-2k=0\) → \(-2k=-1\) → \(k=\cfrac{1}{2}\)
\(\therefore\) Each ratio equals \(\cfrac{1}{2}\).

Again, if \(x+y+z=0\), then \(y+z=-x\)
\(\therefore\cfrac{x}{y+z}=\cfrac{x}{-x}=-1\)
Similarly, \(z+x=-y\)
\(\therefore\cfrac{y}{z+x}=\cfrac{y}{-y}=-1\)
And, \(x+y=-z\)
\(\therefore\cfrac{z}{x+y}=\cfrac{z}{-z}=-1\)

\(\therefore\) If \(\cfrac{x}{y+z}=\cfrac{y}{z+x}=\cfrac{z}{x+y}\), then each ratio equals \(\cfrac{1}{2}\) or \(-1\). (Proved)
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