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Exactly one of the following groups of inequalities is impossible — no values of the variables can satisfy every relation in the group at the same time. Which group is it?

Competition practiceInequalities
  • AA > B, B ≥ C, A > C
  • BA > B, B ≥ C, C > A
  • CA ≥ B, B ≥ C, C = A
  • DA < B, B ≤ C, A < C

Step-by-Step Solution

Join the relations end to end and see whether the loop closes on a contradiction. In the correct option, A > B, B ≥ C and C > A compose to A > B ≥ C > A, that is A > A, which no number satisfies — the group is impossible. The others all close harmlessly. 'A > B, B ≥ C, A > C' is satisfied by A = 5, B = 3, C = 3, and the third relation is merely the consequence of the first two. 'A ≥ B, B ≥ C, C = A' is the tempting one, because it also loops back to A, but every link is non-strict, so the loop just forces A = B = C, which is perfectly consistent. 'A < B, B ≤ C, A < C' is satisfied by A = 1, B = 4, C = 6.
Answer: B) A > B, B ≥ C, C > A

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