Let x, y and z be real numbers, such that x+y+z=xy+yz+zx. Prove that x4+x2+1x+y4+y2+1y+z4+z2+1z≥3−1
Solution
Let's define f(t)=t4+t2+1t, that is, f(t)=−f(−t), f(t1)=f(t), furthermore, ∣f(t)∣≤31. Then, if we change (x,y,z) with (x1,y1,z1), nothing has been changed. Moreover, one can find that, z=x+y−1x+y−xy, so if x,y>0 and z<0 then x4+x2+1x+y4+y2+1y+z4+z2+1z≥3−1 Moreover, if x,y,z>0, we are done. Assume now, x≤y≤0≤z, Without loss of generality, we can assume xy≥1, otherwise, replace (x,y,z) with (x1,y1,z1). If z=0, then 0>x+y=xy>0, a contradiction, hence z>0. Now, we can write z=x+y−1x+y−xy=∣x∣+∣y∣+1∣x∣+∣y∣+xy≥1 Hence, z−∣x∣=z+x=x+y−1x2+y=∣x+y∣+1∣y∣−x2 Then, 1≤xy≤x2 implies that ∣x∣≥1. Moreover, x≤y≤0 ensures that ∣y∣≤∣x∣≤x2, hence, z−∣x∣≤0. Thus, 1≤z≤∣x∣. Finally, it is clear that f(t)=t2+t−2+11 The function, t2+t−2 is increasing for ∣t∣≥1, hence f(t) is decreasing on ∣t∣≥1, therefore f(∣x∣)≤f(z). That is −f(x)=f(−x)=f(∣x∣)≤f(z) Hence f(x)+f(z)≥0 and f(y)≥−31, thus f(x)+f(y)+f(z)≥3−1.
Want a route through all this instead of an archive? The track
puts 2,000 problems in a working order, from AMC 10 level to the IMO shortlist.
Source: MathNet,
licensed CC-BY-4.0.
Statement and solution reproduced as published; topic and difficulty added by this site.