There are real numbers a, b and c such that f(x)=x3+ax2+bx+c has three real roots x1, x2 and x3 satisfying (1)x2−x1=λ, (2)x3>21(x1+x2). Find the maximum value of λ32a3+27c−9ab.
Solution
Let S=λ32a3+27c−9ab, then S=λ327(272a3−31ab+c)=λ327f(−31a)=(x2−x1)327(−31a−x1)(−31a−x2)(−31a−x3)=(x2−x1)3−27(x1+31a)(x2+31a)(x3+31a).
Write ui=xi+3a (i=1,2,3), then u2−u1=x2−x1=λ, u3>21(u1+u2), and u1+u2+u3=x1+x2+x3+a=0. So, u1, u2 and u3 satisfy the corresponding conditions too, and S=(u2−u1)3−27u1u2u3. By u3=−(u1+u2)>2u1+u2, we get u1+u2<0. Consequently, at least one of u1 and u2 should be less than 0. We may assume u1<0.
If u2<0, then S<0.
If u2>0, we suppose further v1=u2−u1−u1,v=v2=u2−u1u2. Then v1+v2=1, v1 and v2 are both greater than 0 and v1−v2=u2−u1u3>0. So it follows that S=27v1v2(v1−v2)=27v(1−v)(1−2v)=27(v−v2)2(1−2v)2=272(v−v2)(v−v2)(21−2v+2v2)≤272×(61)3=233. The equality holds when v=21(1−33). The corresponding cubic equation is x3−21x+183=0 and λ=1 (x1=−21(1+33), x2=21(1−33) and x3=33).
Consequently, the maximal value is 233.
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