Problem:
Suppose one is given real numbers, not all zero, but such that their sum is zero. Prove that one can label these numbers in such a manner that
Solution
Solution:
Let the given numbers (in an arbitrary order) be . For every possible permutation of , consider the sum
We wish to show that some such sum is negative, so assume otherwise. For every two distinct elements , the term appears times among these sums, where does not depend on , by symmetry. (In fact, one can show that !.) Each such sum is assumed to be nonnegative; adding these inequalities for all permutations , and dividing by , we have
However, we also know that (strictly, since not all are zero). Thus
But since , we have a contradiction. So our assumption was false, and the needed negative sum does exist.
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