Find the value of a + b + c when ab + bc + ca = - 4 and a² + b² + c² = 17?

Find the value of a + b + c when ab + bc + ca = - 4 and a² + b² + c² = 17?

Explanation

Given:

ab + bc + ca = -4

a² + b² + c² = 17

Using the identity (a + b + c)² = a² + b² + c² + 2(ab + bc + ca):

(a + b + c)² = 17 + 2(-4)

= 17 - 8

= 9

a + b + c = ±√9

= ±3