Let a1,a2,…,an be positive numbers and A their arithmetic mean. Prove that An−1≥n1i=1∑na1⋯a^i⋯an,where a^i denotes the term ai is omitted.
Solution
We use induction on n. When n=2, it is an equality. Assume a1≤a2≤⋯≤an. Then a1≤A≤an. Let Ao=(a1+⋯+an−1)/(n−1). Then A=Ao+(an−Ao)/n and a1≤Ao≤An−1≤an. Since an−Ao≥0, we use binomial expansion: An−1=(Ao+nan−Ao)n−1≥Aon−1+(n−1)Aon−2(nan−Ao)=nn−1Aon−2an+n1Aon−1. By induction hypothesis, Aon−2≥n−11∑i=1n−1ai⋯a^i⋯an−1. By AM≥GM, Aon−1≥a1a2⋯an−1. Therefore, An−1≥n1∑i=1n−1ai⋯a^i⋯an−1an+n1a1a2⋯an−1=n1∑i=1nai⋯a^i⋯an.
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