The derivation of the solution itself requires an understanding of Diophantine equations and elliptical curves, which I will not pretend to understand well enough to summarize.

[–] sem@lemmy.blahaj.zone 7 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

From the same article, this is a solution when negative integers are allowed:

[–] ChaoticNeutralCzech@feddit.org 33 points 1 day ago (1 children)

1, 1 and 7. The sum is 3.75 – take it or leave it.

[–] Tar_alcaran@sh.itjust.works 12 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Good enough for engineers.

[–] ChaoticNeutralCzech@feddit.org 12 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Electronic engineers will know that 1, 1, 8 is closer but will go for 1, 1, 6.8 because they are in the E6 series and that will save 0.1 cents per device.

[–] Tar_alcaran@sh.itjust.works 5 points 1 day ago (1 children)

1, 1, 6.8

"6.8 isn't an integer"

"It rounds to an integer"

[–] ChaoticNeutralCzech@feddit.org 4 points 1 day ago

"The tolerance is 5% so an integer is in range"

[–] TheSlad@sh.itjust.works 9 points 1 day ago (1 children)

🍎=376556443707

🍌=50000000000

🍍=50000000000

[–] Gladaed@feddit.org 5 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Now do it for a case where a,b, and c are pair wise not equal.

[–] TheSlad@sh.itjust.works 12 points 1 day ago

I have to admit, my solution is not correct anyways. I simple found a "solution" for which the margin of error is smaller than the calculator's level of precision.

Sorry everyone, I cheated.

[–] big_fat_fluffy@leminal.space 3 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

Is it the intersection of 3 curves?

Am I being trolled?

[–] hildegarde@lemmy.blahaj.zone 17 points 2 days ago

no, no I can't

[–] De_Narm@lemmy.world 5 points 1 day ago (1 children)

The solutions don't quite fancy me as positive whole values, see for yourself.

[–] missingno@fedia.io 6 points 1 day ago

An integer solution does exist.

[–] sunshine@lemmy.ml 8 points 2 days ago (3 children)

Some discussion here

[–] ChaoticNeutralCzech@feddit.org 15 points 1 day ago

Not the same problem.

The original solution to this one was posted by +johncbaez999 on Google Plus and reposted here.

[–] Kit@lemmy.blahaj.zone 17 points 2 days ago

Ew please don't link Reddit without warning.

[–] TotallynotJessica@lemmy.blahaj.zone 17 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)