Let a, b and c be the side-lengths of a triangle with perimeter 1. Prove that a2+b2+b2+c2+c2+a2<1+22. (APMO 2003)
Solution
Without loss of generality, we may assume a≥b≥c. The triangle inequality and a+b+c=1 imply that a<b+c=1−a, i.e. a<21. Since b≤a, it follows that a2+b2≤2a2=a2<22. Since c≤b, it follows that b2+c2≤b2+bc<b2+bc+4c2=(b+2c)2, i.e. b2+c2<b+2c.
Analogously we conclude a2+c2<a+2c. Summing the obtained inequalities we get a2+b2+b2+c2+a2+c2<22+(b+2c)+(a+2c)=1+22.
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.