First Solution. Assume, for the sake of contradiction, that at least two of the numbers
a2+b3+c6,b2+c3+a6,c2+a3+b6
are less than 6. Without loss of generality, we may further assume that the first and the last are less than 6. Then
a5+b9+c8<12.
Also, because b+c≥a(bc−1), we have
a1≥b+cbc−1.
It follows that
b+c5(bc−1)+b9+c8<12,
or
5b2c2+12bc−12b2c−12c2b+9c2+8b2<0.(1)
Completing squares yields
(2bc−2b−3c)2+b2(c−2)2<0,
a contradiction. This proves the conclusion. To obtain equalities, that is two of the members
a2+b3+c6,b2+c3+a6,c2+a3+b6
are equal to 6, we must have c−2=0 and 2bc−2b−3c=0, that is c=2, b=3, a=1. Therefore the equalities hold if and only if (a,b,c) is one of the triples (1,3,2), (3,2,1), (2,1,3).
Or: Rewriting (1) as a quadratic form in b yields
(5c2−12c+8)b2−12c(c−1)b+9c2<0,
which is impossible, because the leading coefficient
5c2−12c+8=5(c−56)2+54
is always positive and the discriminant
Δ=[12c(c−1)]2−36c2(5c2−12c+8)=36c2[4(c−1)2−(5c2−12c+8)]=−36c2(c−2)2
is always nonpositive.
Second Solution. (by David Shin) Perform the substitutions x=1/a, y=1/b, and z=1/c. It suffices to prove that at least two of the inequalities
2x+3y+6z≤6,2y+3z+6x≤6,2z+3x+6y≤6
are true, where
x,y,z>0andxy+yz+zx≥1.
Assume, for the sake of contradiction, that at least two of the given inequalities are false. Without loss of generality, we may assume that 2x+3y+6z<6 and 2y+3z+6x<6. Then
144>[(2x+3y+6z)+(2y+3z+6x)]2=(8x+5y+9z)2=64x2+80xy+25y2+81z2+90yz+144zx=64x2−64xy+16y2+9y2−54yz+81z2+144(xy+yz+zx)=(8x−4y)2+(3y−9z)2+144≥144,
a contradiction. Thus, our assumptions is false and at least two of the desired inequalities must be true. To obtain equalities, that is two of the numbers
a2+b3+c6,b2+c3+a6,c2+a3+b6
are equal to 6, we must have 8x−4y=3y−9z=0, or a:b:c=(1/x):(1/y):(1/z)=2:1:3. Therefore the equalities hold if and only if (a,b,c)=(1,3,2), (3,2,1), (2,1,3).