MHB Is the Product \(abc(a^3-b^3)(b^3-c^3)(c^3-a^3)\) Divisible by 7?

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The product \(abc(a^3-b^3)(b^3-c^3)(c^3-a^3)\) is examined for divisibility by 7 for integers a, b, and c. The factors \(a^3-b^3\), \(b^3-c^3\), and \(c^3-a^3\) are analyzed, revealing that at least one of these differences must be divisible by 7 due to the properties of cubic residues modulo 7. Additionally, the term \(abc\) ensures that if any of a, b, or c is divisible by 7, the entire product is also divisible by 7. The conclusion is that the product is indeed divisible by 7 for any integers a, b, and c. Thus, the assertion holds true under the given conditions.
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Show that for integer a,b,c the product $abc(a^3-b^3)(b^3-c^3)(c^3-a^3)$ is divisible by 7
 
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kaliprasad said:
Show that for integer a,b,c the product $abc(a^3-b^3)(b^3-c^3)(c^3-a^3)$ is divisible by 7
If $a$, $b$, or $c$ is divisible by $7$, we are done.

Otherwise, each of $a^3$, $b^3$, $c^3$ is congruent to $\pm1\pmod{7}$. Therefore, at least two of these integers are congruent $\pmod7$, and the corresponding factor is divisible by $7$.
 
Here is a little puzzle from the book 100 Geometric Games by Pierre Berloquin. The side of a small square is one meter long and the side of a larger square one and a half meters long. One vertex of the large square is at the center of the small square. The side of the large square cuts two sides of the small square into one- third parts and two-thirds parts. What is the area where the squares overlap?

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