Let x, y, z be positive real numbers whose sum is 2012. Find the maximum value of (x4+y4+z4)(x2+y2+z2)(x3+y3+z3)
Solution
If x=y=z=32012, then (x4+y4+z4)(x2+y2+z2)(x3+y3+z3)=2012. Now we prove that for all x, y, z satisfying the premises we have (x4+y4+z4)(x2+y2+z2)(x3+y3+z3)≤2012 It suffices to show that (x2+y2+z2)(x3+y3+z3)≤2012(x4+y4+z4), or (x2+y2+z2)(x3+y3+z3)≤(x+y+z)(x4+y4+z4). Multiplying out, simplifying and rearranging the terms gives xy(x−y)(x2−y2)+xz(x−z)(x2−z2)+yz(y−z)(y2−z2)≥0. Since the differences in the brackets in every product have equal signs, the products are non-negative, showing that the necessary inequality holds.
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