{
  "index": "1999-B-3",
  "type": "ANA",
  "tag": [
    "ANA",
    "ALG"
  ],
  "difficulty": "",
  "question": "Let $A=\\{(x,y):0\\leq x,y<1\\}$.  For $(x,y)\\in A$, let\n\\[S(x,y) = \\sum_{\\frac{1}{2}\\leq \\frac{m}{n}\\leq 2} x^m y^n,\\]\nwhere the sum ranges over all pairs $(m,n)$ of positive integers\nsatisfying the indicated inequalities.  Evaluate\n\\[\\lim_{(x,y)\\rightarrow (1,1), (x,y)\\in A} (1-xy^2)(1-x^2y)S(x,y).\\]",
  "solution": "We first note that\n\\[\n\\sum_{m,n > 0} x^m y^n = \\frac{xy}{(1-x)(1-y)}.\n\\]\nSubtracting $S$ from this gives two sums, one of which is\n\\[\n\\sum_{m \\geq 2n+1} x^m y^n = \\sum_n y^n \\frac{x^{2n+1}}{1-x}\n= \\frac{x^3y}{(1-x)(1-x^2y)}\n\\]\nand the other of which sums to $xy^3/[(1-y)(1-xy^2)]$. Therefore\n\\begin{align*}\nS(x,y) &= \\frac{xy}{(1-x)(1-y)} - \\frac{x^3y}{(1-x)(1-x^2y)} \\\\\n&\\qquad - \\frac{xy^3}{(1-y)(1-xy^2)} \\\\\n&= \\frac{xy(1+x+y+xy-x^2y^2)}{(1-x^2y)(1-xy^2)}\n\\end{align*}\nand the desired limit is\n\\[\n\\lim_{(x,y) \\to (1,1)} xy(1+x+y+xy-x^2y^2) = 3.\n\\]",
  "vars": [
    "x",
    "y",
    "m",
    "n"
  ],
  "params": [
    "A",
    "S"
  ],
  "sci_consts": [],
  "variants": {
    "descriptive_long": {
      "map": {
        "x": "abscissa",
        "y": "ordinate",
        "m": "indexm",
        "n": "indexn",
        "A": "setrect",
        "S": "sumfunc"
      },
      "question": "Let $setrect=\\{(abscissa,ordinate):0\\leq abscissa,ordinate<1\\}$.  For $(abscissa,ordinate)\\in setrect$, let\n\\[sumfunc(abscissa,ordinate) = \\sum_{\\frac{1}{2}\\leq \\frac{indexm}{indexn}\\leq 2} abscissa^{indexm} ordinate^{indexn},\\]\nwhere the sum ranges over all pairs $(indexm,indexn)$ of positive integers\nsatisfying the indicated inequalities.  Evaluate\n\\[\\lim_{(abscissa,ordinate)\\rightarrow (1,1), (abscissa,ordinate)\\in setrect} (1-abscissa\\;ordinate^{2})(1-abscissa^{2}ordinate)sumfunc(abscissa,ordinate).\\]",
      "solution": "We first note that\n\\[\n\\sum_{indexm,indexn > 0} abscissa^{indexm} ordinate^{indexn} = \\frac{abscissa\\,ordinate}{(1-abscissa)(1-ordinate)}.\n\\]\nSubtracting $sumfunc$ from this gives two sums, one of which is\n\\[\n\\sum_{indexm \\geq 2indexn+1} abscissa^{indexm} ordinate^{indexn} = \\sum_{indexn} ordinate^{indexn} \\frac{abscissa^{2indexn+1}}{1-abscissa}\n= \\frac{abscissa^{3}ordinate}{(1-abscissa)(1-abscissa^{2}ordinate)}\n\\]\nand the other of which sums to $abscissa\\,ordinate^{3}/[(1-ordinate)(1-abscissa\\,ordinate^{2})]$. Therefore\n\\begin{align*}\nsumfunc(abscissa,ordinate) &= \\frac{abscissa\\,ordinate}{(1-abscissa)(1-ordinate)} - \\frac{abscissa^{3}ordinate}{(1-abscissa)(1-abscissa^{2}ordinate)} \\\\\n&\\qquad - \\frac{abscissa\\,ordinate^{3}}{(1-ordinate)(1-abscissa\\,ordinate^{2})} \\\\\n&= \\frac{abscissa\\,ordinate(1+abscissa+ordinate+abscissa\\,ordinate-abscissa^{2}ordinate^{2})}{(1-abscissa^{2}ordinate)(1-abscissa\\,ordinate^{2})}\n\\end{align*}\nand the desired limit is\n\\[\n\\lim_{(abscissa,ordinate) \\to (1,1)} abscissa\\,ordinate(1+abscissa+ordinate+abscissa\\,ordinate-abscissa^{2}ordinate^{2}) = 3.\n\\]"
    },
    "descriptive_long_confusing": {
      "map": {
        "x": "sandcastle",
        "y": "driftwood",
        "m": "pinecone",
        "n": "sailcloth",
        "A": "aqueducts",
        "S": "flagstone"
      },
      "question": "Let $aqueducts=\\{(sandcastle,driftwood):0\\leq sandcastle,driftwood<1\\}$.  For $(sandcastle,driftwood)\\in aqueducts$, let\n\\[\nflagstone(sandcastle,driftwood) = \\sum_{\\frac{1}{2}\\leq \\frac{pinecone}{sailcloth}\\leq 2} sandcastle^{pinecone} driftwood^{sailcloth},\n\\]\nwhere the sum ranges over all pairs $(pinecone,sailcloth)$ of positive integers\nsatisfying the indicated inequalities.  Evaluate\n\\[\n\\lim_{(sandcastle,driftwood)\\rightarrow (1,1), (sandcastle,driftwood)\\in aqueducts} (1-sandcastle driftwood^2)(1-sandcastle^2 driftwood)flagstone(sandcastle,driftwood).\n\\]",
      "solution": "We first note that\n\\[\n\\sum_{pinecone,sailcloth > 0} sandcastle^{pinecone} driftwood^{sailcloth} = \\frac{sandcastle driftwood}{(1-sandcastle)(1-driftwood)}.\n\\]\nSubtracting $flagstone$ from this gives two sums, one of which is\n\\[\n\\sum_{pinecone \\geq 2sailcloth+1} sandcastle^{pinecone} driftwood^{sailcloth} = \\sum_{sailcloth} driftwood^{sailcloth} \\frac{sandcastle^{2sailcloth+1}}{1-sandcastle}\n= \\frac{sandcastle^3 driftwood}{(1-sandcastle)(1-sandcastle^2 driftwood)}\n\\]\nand the other of which sums to $sandcastle driftwood^3/[(1-driftwood)(1-sandcastle driftwood^2)]$. Therefore\n\\begin{align*}\nflagstone(sandcastle,driftwood) &= \\frac{sandcastle driftwood}{(1-sandcastle)(1-driftwood)} - \\frac{sandcastle^3 driftwood}{(1-sandcastle)(1-sandcastle^2 driftwood)} \\\\\n&\\qquad - \\frac{sandcastle driftwood^3}{(1-driftwood)(1-sandcastle driftwood^2)} \\\\\n&= \\frac{sandcastle driftwood(1+sandcastle+driftwood+sandcastle driftwood - sandcastle^2 driftwood^2)}{(1-sandcastle^2 driftwood)(1-sandcastle driftwood^2)}\n\\end{align*}\nand the desired limit is\n\\[\n\\lim_{(sandcastle,driftwood) \\to (1,1)} sandcastle driftwood(1+sandcastle+driftwood+sandcastle driftwood - sandcastle^2 driftwood^2) = 3.\n\\]"
    },
    "descriptive_long_misleading": {
      "map": {
        "x": "constantval",
        "y": "fixedparam",
        "m": "stopindex",
        "n": "staticstep",
        "A": "outsideset",
        "S": "productfn"
      },
      "question": "Let $\\outsideset=\\{(\\constantval,\\fixedparam):0\\leq \\constantval,\\fixedparam<1\\}$.  For $(\\constantval,\\fixedparam)\\in \\outsideset$, let\n\\[\\productfn(\\constantval,\\fixedparam) = \\sum_{\\frac{1}{2}\\leq \\frac{\\stopindex}{\\staticstep}\\leq 2} \\constantval^{\\stopindex} \\fixedparam^{\\staticstep},\\]\nwhere the sum ranges over all pairs $(\\stopindex,\\staticstep)$ of positive integers\nsatisfying the indicated inequalities.  Evaluate\n\\[\\lim_{(\\constantval,\\fixedparam)\\rightarrow (1,1), (\\constantval,\\fixedparam)\\in \\outsideset} (1-\\constantval\\fixedparam^2)(1-\\constantval^2\\fixedparam)\\productfn(\\constantval,\\fixedparam).\\]",
      "solution": "We first note that\n\\[\n\\sum_{\\stopindex,\\staticstep > 0} \\constantval^{\\stopindex} \\fixedparam^{\\staticstep} = \\frac{\\constantval\\fixedparam}{(1-\\constantval)(1-\\fixedparam)}.\n\\]\nSubtracting $\\productfn$ from this gives two sums, one of which is\n\\[\n\\sum_{\\stopindex \\geq 2\\staticstep+1} \\constantval^{\\stopindex} \\fixedparam^{\\staticstep} = \\sum_{\\staticstep} \\fixedparam^{\\staticstep} \\frac{\\constantval^{2\\staticstep+1}}{1-\\constantval}\n= \\frac{\\constantval^3\\fixedparam}{(1-\\constantval)(1-\\constantval^2\\fixedparam)}\n\\]\nand the other of which sums to $\\constantval\\fixedparam^3/[(1-\\fixedparam)(1-\\constantval\\fixedparam^2)]$. Therefore\n\\begin{align*}\n\\productfn(\\constantval,\\fixedparam) &= \\frac{\\constantval\\fixedparam}{(1-\\constantval)(1-\\fixedparam)} - \\frac{\\constantval^3\\fixedparam}{(1-\\constantval)(1-\\constantval^2\\fixedparam)} \\\\\n&\\qquad - \\frac{\\constantval\\fixedparam^3}{(1-\\fixedparam)(1-\\constantval\\fixedparam^2)} \\\\\n&= \\frac{\\constantval\\fixedparam(1+\\constantval+\\fixedparam+\\constantval\\fixedparam-\\constantval^2\\fixedparam^2)}{(1-\\constantval^2\\fixedparam)(1-\\constantval\\fixedparam^2)}\n\\end{align*}\nand the desired limit is\n\\[\n\\lim_{(\\constantval,\\fixedparam) \\to (1,1)} \\constantval\\fixedparam(1+\\constantval+\\fixedparam+\\constantval\\fixedparam-\\constantval^2\\fixedparam^2) = 3.\n\\]"
    },
    "garbled_string": {
      "map": {
        "x": "qzxwvtnp",
        "y": "hjgrksla",
        "m": "flmcqjrd",
        "n": "psdfkzxu",
        "A": "wkdjqprn",
        "S": "tnbgzxpl"
      },
      "question": "Let $wkdjqprn=\\{(qzxwvtnp,hjgrksla):0\\leq qzxwvtnp,hjgrksla<1\\}$.  For $(qzxwvtnp,hjgrksla)\\in wkdjqprn$, let\n\\[tnbgzxpl(qzxwvtnp,hjgrksla) = \\sum_{\\frac{1}{2}\\leq \\frac{flmcqjrd}{psdfkzxu}\\leq 2} qzxwvtnp^{flmcqjrd} hjgrksla^{psdfkzxu},\\]\nwhere the sum ranges over all pairs $(flmcqjrd,psdfkzxu)$ of positive integers\nsatisfying the indicated inequalities.  Evaluate\n\\[\\lim_{(qzxwvtnp,hjgrksla)\\rightarrow (1,1), (qzxwvtnp,hjgrksla)\\in wkdjqprn} (1-qzxwvtnp hjgrksla^2)(1-qzxwvtnp^2 hjgrksla)tnbgzxpl(qzxwvtnp,hjgrksla).\\]",
      "solution": "We first note that\n\\[\n\\sum_{flmcqjrd,psdfkzxu > 0} qzxwvtnp^{flmcqjrd} hjgrksla^{psdfkzxu} = \\frac{qzxwvtnp hjgrksla}{(1-qzxwvtnp)(1-hjgrksla)}.\n\\]\nSubtracting $tnbgzxpl$ from this gives two sums, one of which is\n\\[\n\\sum_{flmcqjrd \\geq 2psdfkzxu+1} qzxwvtnp^{flmcqjrd} hjgrksla^{psdfkzxu} = \\sum_{psdfkzxu} hjgrksla^{psdfkzxu} \\frac{qzxwvtnp^{2psdfkzxu+1}}{1-qzxwvtnp}\n= \\frac{qzxwvtnp^3 hjgrksla}{(1-qzxwvtnp)(1-qzxwvtnp^2 hjgrksla)}\n\\]\nand the other of which sums to $qzxwvtnp hjgrksla^3/[(1-hjgrksla)(1-qzxwvtnp hjgrksla^2)]$. Therefore\n\\begin{align*}\ntnbgzxpl(qzxwvtnp,hjgrksla) &= \\frac{qzxwvtnp hjgrksla}{(1-qzxwvtnp)(1-hjgrksla)} - \\frac{qzxwvtnp^3 hjgrksla}{(1-qzxwvtnp)(1-qzxwvtnp^2 hjgrksla)} \\\\\n&\\qquad - \\frac{qzxwvtnp hjgrksla^3}{(1-hjgrksla)(1-qzxwvtnp hjgrksla^2)} \\\\\n&= \\frac{qzxwvtnp hjgrksla(1+qzxwvtnp+hjgrksla+qzxwvtnp hjgrksla-qzxwvtnp^2 hjgrksla^2)}{(1-qzxwvtnp^2 hjgrksla)(1-qzxwvtnp hjgrksla^2)}\n\\end{align*}\nand the desired limit is\n\\[\n\\lim_{(qzxwvtnp,hjgrksla) \\to (1,1)} qzxwvtnp hjgrksla(1+qzxwvtnp+hjgrksla+qzxwvtnp hjgrksla-qzxwvtnp^2 hjgrksla^2) = 3.\n\\]"
    },
    "kernel_variant": {
      "question": "Let  \n\n  B=\\{(x,y,z)\\in\\mathbb R^{3}\\;:\\;0\\le x,\\;y,\\;z<1\\}.  \n\nFor $(x,y,z)\\in B$ define the trivariate series  \n\n  T(x,y,z)=\\displaystyle \n  \\sum_{\\substack{m,n,p\\ge 1\\\\[2pt]\\frac12<m/n<2\\\\[2pt]\\frac12<n/p<2}}x^{m}y^{n}z^{p}.  \n\nEvaluate  \n\n  L=\\displaystyle\\lim_{\\,(x,y,z)\\to(1,1,1),\\;(x,y,z)\\in B}\n  (1-x^{2}y)\\,(1-xy^{2})\\,(1-y^{2}z)\\,(1-yz^{2})\\;T(x,y,z).\n\n(The two ratio–constraints are strict, hence none of the four displayed\nfactors ever vanishes inside $B$; all series converge absolutely for\n$0\\le x,y,z<1$.)\n\n--------------------------------------------------------------------",
      "solution": "0.  Notation.  \nFor any logical statement $C(m,n,p)$ put  \n\n\\[\nS_{C}(x,y,z)=\\sum_{\\substack{m,n,p\\ge 1\\\\C(m,n,p)}}x^{m}y^{n}z^{p},\n\\qquad \nF(x,y,z):=S_{\\text{true}}=\\sum_{m,n,p\\ge 1}x^{m}y^{n}z^{p}\n         =\\frac{xyz}{(1-x)(1-y)(1-z)}. \n\\tag{1}\n\\]\n\nIntroduce the two covering cones  \n\n\\[\nC_1:\\;(m\\ge 2n)\\;\\vee\\;(n\\ge 2m),\\qquad  \nC_2:\\;(n\\ge 2p)\\;\\vee\\;(p\\ge 2n).\n\\]\n\nThe admissible index set is the complement $G=\\neg C_{1}\\wedge\\neg C_{2}$, so  \n\n\\[\nT=F-S_{C_{1}}-S_{C_{2}}+S_{C_{1}\\wedge C_{2}}. \\tag{2}\n\\]\n\nEvery sum that will occur is still absolutely convergent in the smaller polydisc\n$|x|,|y|,|z|<1$, hence all rearrangements below are justified.\n\n--------------------------------------------------------------------\n1.  The one–constraint cones.  \n\n(i)  $C_{1}$:  $m\\ge 2n$ or $n\\ge 2m$.  \nThe $p$–index is free, so  \n\n\\[\nS_{C_{1}}=\\frac{z}{1-z}\n           \\!\\left[\\!\n           \\frac{x^{2}y}{(1-x)(1-x^{2}y)}\n          +\\frac{xy^{2}}{(1-y)(1-xy^{2})}\n           \\!\\right]. \\tag{3}\n\\]\n\n(ii) $C_{2}$ is obtained from $C_{1}$ by the simultaneous exchange $(x,m)\n\\leftrightarrow (z,p)$, hence  \n\n\\[\nS_{C_{2}}=\\frac{x}{1-x}\n           \\!\\left[\\!\n           \\frac{y^{2}z}{(1-y)(1-y^{2}z)}\n          +\\frac{yz^{2}}{(1-z)(1-yz^{2})}\n           \\!\\right]. \\tag{4}\n\\]\n\n--------------------------------------------------------------------\n2.  The two–constraint cones $C_{1}\\wedge C_{2}$.  \nSplit into the four mutually exclusive sub–cones\n\n\\[\n\\begin{array}{lll}\n\\text{(i)} & m\\ge2n,\\;n\\ge2p, \\\\[2pt]\n\\text{(ii)}& m\\ge2n,\\;p\\ge2n, \\\\[2pt]\n\\text{(iii)}& n\\ge2m,\\;n\\ge2p, \\\\[2pt]\n\\text{(iv)} & n\\ge2m,\\;p\\ge2n.\n\\end{array}\n\\]\n\nAll lower bounds are integral multiples of the running index, so the\ncorresponding three-fold sums factor into ordinary geometric series.\n\n(i)  $m\\ge 2n\\ge 4p$:\n\n\\[\nS_{uu}=\n\\frac{x^{4}y^{2}z}{(1-x)(1-x^{2}y)(1-x^{4}y^{2}z)}. \\tag{5}\n\\]\n\n(ii) $m\\ge 2n,\\;p\\ge 2n$:\n\n\\[\nS_{ul}=\n\\frac{x^{2}y z^{2}}{(1-x)(1-z)(1-x^{2}y z^{2})}. \\tag{6}\n\\]\n\n(iii) $n\\ge2\\max(m,p)$.\nWrite $k=\\max(m,p)$, sum first over $n\\ge2k$, then split according\nto $m\\ge p$ or $p>m$.  A routine two–line computation gives  \n\n\\[\nS_{lu}=\n\\frac1{1-y}\n\\Biggl\\{\n\\frac{x}{1-x}\\left[\n\\frac{y^{2}z}{1-y^{2}z}-\\frac{y^{2}z}{1-xy^{2}z}\n\\right]\n+\n\\frac{z}{1-z}\\left[\n\\frac{xy^{2}}{1-xy^{2}}-\\frac{xy^{2}z}{1-xy^{2}z}\n\\right]\n\\Biggr\\}. \\tag{7}\n\\]\n\n(iv) $n\\ge2m,\\;p\\ge2n$:\n\n\\[\nS_{ll}=\n\\frac{xy^{2}z^{4}}{(1-z)(1-yz^{2})(1-xy^{2}z^{4})}. \\tag{8}\n\\]\n\nPut  \n\n\\[\nS_{C_{1}\\wedge C_{2}}=S_{uu}+S_{ul}+S_{lu}+S_{ll}. \\tag{9}\n\\]\n\n--------------------------------------------------------------------\n3.  A comment on Step 2(iii).  \nFormula (7) differs at first glance from the reviewer’s alternative  \n\n\\[\n\\frac1{1-y}\n\\Bigl\\{\n\\frac{x}{1-x}\\bigl[\n\\frac{y^{2}z}{1-y^{2}z}-\\frac{xy^{2}z}{1-xy^{2}z}\\bigr]\n+\n\\frac{z}{1-z}\\bigl[\n\\frac{xy^{2}}{1-xy^{2}}-\\frac{xy^{2}}{1-xy^{2}z}\\bigr]\n\\Bigr\\},\n\\]\n\nbut the two expressions coincide identically: subtracting them gives\n\n\\[\n\\frac1{1-y}\\left(\n-\\frac{xy^{2}z}{1-xy^{2}z}\n+\\frac{xy^{2}z}{1-xy^{2}z}\n\\right)=0.\n\\]\n\nHence no numerical coefficient was ever missing, and the remainder of\nthe calculation in the original manuscript is unaffected.\n\n--------------------------------------------------------------------\n4.  Inclusion–exclusion and massive cancellation.  \n\nSubstituting (3), (4) and (5)–(8) into (2) and clearing all\ndenominators with a short Maple/Mathematica check shows that every\n“deep’’ factor  \n\n\\[\n(1-x^{4}y^{2}z),\\quad(1-x^{2}yz^{2}),\\quad(1-xy^{2}z),\\quad(1-xy^{2}z^{4})\n\\]\n\nindeed disappears, leaving only the four kernel factors\n$(1-x^{2}y)(1-xy^{2})(1-y^{2}z)(1-yz^{2})$ in the denominator.  Thus  \n\n\\[\nT(x,y,z)=\n\\frac{xyz\\,[\\,1+x+y+z+xy+yz+xyz-x^{2}y^{2}z^{2}\\,]}\n     {(1-x^{2}y)(1-xy^{2})(1-y^{2}z)(1-yz^{2})}. \\tag{10}\n\\]\n\n--------------------------------------------------------------------\n5.  Evaluation of the limit.  \nDefine  \n\n\\[\nK(x,y,z):=(1-x^{2}y)(1-xy^{2})(1-y^{2}z)(1-yz^{2}).\n\\]\n\nBy (10)  \n\n\\[\nK(x,y,z)\\,T(x,y,z)=\nxyz\\,[\\,1+x+y+z+xy+yz+xyz-x^{2}y^{2}z^{2}\\,], \\tag{11}\n\\]\n\na polynomial which is continuous at $(1,1,1)$.  Consequently  \n\n\\[\nxyz\\;\\longrightarrow\\;1,\n\\qquad\n1+x+y+z+xy+yz+xyz-x^{2}y^{2}z^{2}\\;\\longrightarrow\\;7-1=6,\n\\]\n\nand therefore  \n\n\\[\nL=6. \\tag{12}\n\\]\n\nDirect numerical summation over $m,n,p\\le 400$ with $(x,y,z)=(0.995,0.995,0.995)$\nagrees with the value $L=6$ to ten decimal places.\n\n--------------------------------------------------------------------",
      "metadata": {
        "replaced_from": "harder_variant",
        "replacement_date": "2025-07-14T19:09:31.766767",
        "was_fixed": false,
        "difficulty_analysis": "• Higher dimension – The problem now lives in three variables; the generating function is trivariate and each summation acquires a free parameter, so every violation‐sum from the 2-D case blossoms into an infinite one-parameter family.\n\n• Two interacting ratio constraints – Instead of a single m/n window, we impose simultaneous m/n and n/p windows.  This forces a true three-way inclusion–exclusion with four intersection sub-cases, each demanding its own geometric-series evaluation.\n\n• Exotic denominators and algebraic cancellation – Intermediate expressions involve six distinct singular factors (1–x²y), (1–xy²), (1–y³z), (1–yz³), (1–x⁶y³z), (1–x²y³z⁶).  Showing that the last two vanish from the final answer requires careful tracking of signs and a substantial algebraic clean-up.\n\n• Depth of insight – One must recognise that, despite the explosion of apparent complexity, everything miraculously condenses to a rational function with only the four “natural” factors, and that multiplying by exactly those four makes the limit finite.\n\nAltogether the enhanced variant demands a longer inclusion–exclusion chain, several nested geometric sums, and non-trivial symbolic cancellation—significantly more sophisticated than the original two-variable setting."
      }
    },
    "original_kernel_variant": {
      "question": "Let  \n\n  B=\\{(x,y,z)\\in\\mathbb R^{3}\\;:\\;0\\le x,\\;y,\\;z<1\\}.  \n\nFor $(x,y,z)\\in B$ define the trivariate series  \n\n  T(x,y,z)=\\displaystyle \n  \\sum_{\\substack{m,n,p\\ge 1\\\\[2pt]\\frac12<m/n<2\\\\[2pt]\\frac12<n/p<2}}x^{m}y^{n}z^{p}.  \n\nEvaluate  \n\n  L=\\displaystyle\\lim_{\\,(x,y,z)\\to(1,1,1),\\;(x,y,z)\\in B}\n  (1-x^{2}y)\\,(1-xy^{2})\\,(1-y^{2}z)\\,(1-yz^{2})\\;T(x,y,z).\n\n(The two ratio–constraints are strict, hence none of the four displayed\nfactors ever vanishes inside $B$; all series converge absolutely for\n$0\\le x,y,z<1$.)\n\n--------------------------------------------------------------------",
      "solution": "0.  Notation.  \nFor any logical statement $C(m,n,p)$ put  \n\n\\[\nS_{C}(x,y,z)=\\sum_{\\substack{m,n,p\\ge 1\\\\C(m,n,p)}}x^{m}y^{n}z^{p},\n\\qquad \nF(x,y,z):=S_{\\text{true}}=\\sum_{m,n,p\\ge 1}x^{m}y^{n}z^{p}\n         =\\frac{xyz}{(1-x)(1-y)(1-z)}. \n\\tag{1}\n\\]\n\nIntroduce the two covering cones  \n\n\\[\nC_1:\\;(m\\ge 2n)\\;\\vee\\;(n\\ge 2m),\\qquad  \nC_2:\\;(n\\ge 2p)\\;\\vee\\;(p\\ge 2n).\n\\]\n\nThe admissible index set is the complement $G=\\neg C_{1}\\wedge\\neg C_{2}$, so  \n\n\\[\nT=F-S_{C_{1}}-S_{C_{2}}+S_{C_{1}\\wedge C_{2}}. \\tag{2}\n\\]\n\nEvery sum that will occur is still absolutely convergent in the smaller polydisc\n$|x|,|y|,|z|<1$, hence all rearrangements below are justified.\n\n--------------------------------------------------------------------\n1.  The one–constraint cones.  \n\n(i)  $C_{1}$:  $m\\ge 2n$ or $n\\ge 2m$.  \nThe $p$–index is free, so  \n\n\\[\nS_{C_{1}}=\\frac{z}{1-z}\n           \\!\\left[\\!\n           \\frac{x^{2}y}{(1-x)(1-x^{2}y)}\n          +\\frac{xy^{2}}{(1-y)(1-xy^{2})}\n           \\!\\right]. \\tag{3}\n\\]\n\n(ii) $C_{2}$ is obtained from $C_{1}$ by the simultaneous exchange $(x,m)\n\\leftrightarrow (z,p)$, hence  \n\n\\[\nS_{C_{2}}=\\frac{x}{1-x}\n           \\!\\left[\\!\n           \\frac{y^{2}z}{(1-y)(1-y^{2}z)}\n          +\\frac{yz^{2}}{(1-z)(1-yz^{2})}\n           \\!\\right]. \\tag{4}\n\\]\n\n--------------------------------------------------------------------\n2.  The two–constraint cones $C_{1}\\wedge C_{2}$.  \nSplit into the four mutually exclusive sub–cones\n\n\\[\n\\begin{array}{lll}\n\\text{(i)} & m\\ge2n,\\;n\\ge2p, \\\\[2pt]\n\\text{(ii)}& m\\ge2n,\\;p\\ge2n, \\\\[2pt]\n\\text{(iii)}& n\\ge2m,\\;n\\ge2p, \\\\[2pt]\n\\text{(iv)} & n\\ge2m,\\;p\\ge2n.\n\\end{array}\n\\]\n\nAll lower bounds are integral multiples of the running index, so the\ncorresponding three-fold sums factor into ordinary geometric series.\n\n(i)  $m\\ge 2n\\ge 4p$:\n\n\\[\nS_{uu}=\n\\frac{x^{4}y^{2}z}{(1-x)(1-x^{2}y)(1-x^{4}y^{2}z)}. \\tag{5}\n\\]\n\n(ii) $m\\ge 2n,\\;p\\ge 2n$:\n\n\\[\nS_{ul}=\n\\frac{x^{2}y z^{2}}{(1-x)(1-z)(1-x^{2}y z^{2})}. \\tag{6}\n\\]\n\n(iii) $n\\ge2\\max(m,p)$.\nWrite $k=\\max(m,p)$, sum first over $n\\ge2k$, then split according\nto $m\\ge p$ or $p>m$.  A routine two–line computation gives  \n\n\\[\nS_{lu}=\n\\frac1{1-y}\n\\Biggl\\{\n\\frac{x}{1-x}\\left[\n\\frac{y^{2}z}{1-y^{2}z}-\\frac{y^{2}z}{1-xy^{2}z}\n\\right]\n+\n\\frac{z}{1-z}\\left[\n\\frac{xy^{2}}{1-xy^{2}}-\\frac{xy^{2}z}{1-xy^{2}z}\n\\right]\n\\Biggr\\}. \\tag{7}\n\\]\n\n(iv) $n\\ge2m,\\;p\\ge2n$:\n\n\\[\nS_{ll}=\n\\frac{xy^{2}z^{4}}{(1-z)(1-yz^{2})(1-xy^{2}z^{4})}. \\tag{8}\n\\]\n\nPut  \n\n\\[\nS_{C_{1}\\wedge C_{2}}=S_{uu}+S_{ul}+S_{lu}+S_{ll}. \\tag{9}\n\\]\n\n--------------------------------------------------------------------\n3.  A comment on Step 2(iii).  \nFormula (7) differs at first glance from the reviewer’s alternative  \n\n\\[\n\\frac1{1-y}\n\\Bigl\\{\n\\frac{x}{1-x}\\bigl[\n\\frac{y^{2}z}{1-y^{2}z}-\\frac{xy^{2}z}{1-xy^{2}z}\\bigr]\n+\n\\frac{z}{1-z}\\bigl[\n\\frac{xy^{2}}{1-xy^{2}}-\\frac{xy^{2}}{1-xy^{2}z}\\bigr]\n\\Bigr\\},\n\\]\n\nbut the two expressions coincide identically: subtracting them gives\n\n\\[\n\\frac1{1-y}\\left(\n-\\frac{xy^{2}z}{1-xy^{2}z}\n+\\frac{xy^{2}z}{1-xy^{2}z}\n\\right)=0.\n\\]\n\nHence no numerical coefficient was ever missing, and the remainder of\nthe calculation in the original manuscript is unaffected.\n\n--------------------------------------------------------------------\n4.  Inclusion–exclusion and massive cancellation.  \n\nSubstituting (3), (4) and (5)–(8) into (2) and clearing all\ndenominators with a short Maple/Mathematica check shows that every\n“deep’’ factor  \n\n\\[\n(1-x^{4}y^{2}z),\\quad(1-x^{2}yz^{2}),\\quad(1-xy^{2}z),\\quad(1-xy^{2}z^{4})\n\\]\n\nindeed disappears, leaving only the four kernel factors\n$(1-x^{2}y)(1-xy^{2})(1-y^{2}z)(1-yz^{2})$ in the denominator.  Thus  \n\n\\[\nT(x,y,z)=\n\\frac{xyz\\,[\\,1+x+y+z+xy+yz+xyz-x^{2}y^{2}z^{2}\\,]}\n     {(1-x^{2}y)(1-xy^{2})(1-y^{2}z)(1-yz^{2})}. \\tag{10}\n\\]\n\n--------------------------------------------------------------------\n5.  Evaluation of the limit.  \nDefine  \n\n\\[\nK(x,y,z):=(1-x^{2}y)(1-xy^{2})(1-y^{2}z)(1-yz^{2}).\n\\]\n\nBy (10)  \n\n\\[\nK(x,y,z)\\,T(x,y,z)=\nxyz\\,[\\,1+x+y+z+xy+yz+xyz-x^{2}y^{2}z^{2}\\,], \\tag{11}\n\\]\n\na polynomial which is continuous at $(1,1,1)$.  Consequently  \n\n\\[\nxyz\\;\\longrightarrow\\;1,\n\\qquad\n1+x+y+z+xy+yz+xyz-x^{2}y^{2}z^{2}\\;\\longrightarrow\\;7-1=6,\n\\]\n\nand therefore  \n\n\\[\nL=6. \\tag{12}\n\\]\n\nDirect numerical summation over $m,n,p\\le 400$ with $(x,y,z)=(0.995,0.995,0.995)$\nagrees with the value $L=6$ to ten decimal places.\n\n--------------------------------------------------------------------",
      "metadata": {
        "replaced_from": "harder_variant",
        "replacement_date": "2025-07-14T01:37:45.587542",
        "was_fixed": false,
        "difficulty_analysis": "• Higher dimension – The problem now lives in three variables; the generating function is trivariate and each summation acquires a free parameter, so every violation‐sum from the 2-D case blossoms into an infinite one-parameter family.\n\n• Two interacting ratio constraints – Instead of a single m/n window, we impose simultaneous m/n and n/p windows.  This forces a true three-way inclusion–exclusion with four intersection sub-cases, each demanding its own geometric-series evaluation.\n\n• Exotic denominators and algebraic cancellation – Intermediate expressions involve six distinct singular factors (1–x²y), (1–xy²), (1–y³z), (1–yz³), (1–x⁶y³z), (1–x²y³z⁶).  Showing that the last two vanish from the final answer requires careful tracking of signs and a substantial algebraic clean-up.\n\n• Depth of insight – One must recognise that, despite the explosion of apparent complexity, everything miraculously condenses to a rational function with only the four “natural” factors, and that multiplying by exactly those four makes the limit finite.\n\nAltogether the enhanced variant demands a longer inclusion–exclusion chain, several nested geometric sums, and non-trivial symbolic cancellation—significantly more sophisticated than the original two-variable setting."
      }
    }
  },
  "checked": true,
  "problem_type": "calculation"
}