Find the smallest possible value of $$\frac{(y-x)^2}{(y-z)(z-x)} + \frac{(z-y)^2}{(z-x)(x-y)} + \frac{(x-z)^2}{(x-y)(y-z)},$$ where $x,y,$ and $z$ are distinct real numbers.
<|im_start|>system
You are a helpful assistant.<|im_end|>
<|im_start|>user
Find the smallest possible value of $$\frac{(y-x)^2}{(y-z)(z-x)} + \frac{(z-y)^2}{(z-x)(x-y)} + \frac{(x-z)^2}{(x-y)(y-z)},$$ where $x,y,$ and $z$ are distinct real numbers.
Please reason step by step, and put your final answer within \boxed{{}}.<|im_end|>
<|im_start|>assistant

user
3
Find the smallest possible value of $$\frac{(y-x)^2}{(y-z)(z-x)} + \frac{(z-y)^2}{(z-x)(x-y)} + \frac{(x-z)^2}{(x-y)(y-z)},$$ where $x,y,$ and $z$ are distinct real numbers.
train