Problem 968 (View Problem)
For the example P(2,2,2,2,2,2,2,2,2,2), as I apparently misread the problem, all variables a,b,c,d,e must equal 1, because, for example, Xa,b = 2 and the only non-negative values of a and b that sum to 2 or less are a=1 and b=1.
I'm hoping it's not out of line to ask someone to clear up my misunderstanding.
Problem 968
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Don't start begging others to give partial answers to problems
Don't ask for hints how to solve a problem
Don't start a new topic for a problem if there already exists one
See also the topics:
Don't post any spoilers
Comments, questions and clarifications about PE problems.
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mdean
- Posts: 206
- Joined: Tue Aug 02, 2011 2:05 am
Re: Problem #968
I think there's 1 or 2 details you're overlooking. Hopefully, it will clarify things if I mention that 1 is an element of the sum.

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pjt33
- Posts: 140
- Joined: Mon Oct 06, 2008 6:14 pm
Re: Problem #968
Also a=0, b=0; a=0, b=1; a=0, b=2; a=1, b=0; a=1, b=1; a=2, b=0.Ted wrote: Fri Nov 14, 2025 3:48 amthe only non-negative values of a and b that sum to 2 or less are a=1 and b=1
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Ted
- Posts: 23
- Joined: Sun Apr 02, 2006 10:46 pm
Re: Problem #968
Thank you all. I read non-negative as positive, apparently. I thought about and excluded 0, more times than I want to admit!