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Algebra Difficulty 5.1 AIME, harder Prove it Mongolia

Let xx, yy, zz be arbitrary real numbers. Prove that (xy)2+(yz)2+(zx)2(x - y)^2 + (y - z)^2 + (z - x)^2 and (xy)(yz)(zx)(x - y)(y - z)(z - x) have the same sign.

Solution

It is possible to prove that for odd natural number n>1n > 1 and for arbitrary real numbers aa, bb, cc which satisfy the condition a+b+c=0a + b + c = 0, the numbers abcabc and an+bn+cna^n + b^n + c^n have the same sign. It is obvious that after setting n=5n = 5, a=xya = x - y, b=yzb = y - z, c=zxc = z - x follows required statement. Let us use following property.
Property.
a) If xx, y>0y > 0 and k>1k > 1 then xk+yk<(x+y)kx^k + y^k < (x + y)^k;
b) If xx, y<0y < 0 and k>1k > 1, kk odd then xk+yk>(x+y)kx^k + y^k > (x + y)^k.

First consider the case that one of aa, bb, cc is equal to 00. For example, if a=0a = 0 then abc=0abc = 0 and a+b+c=b+c=0a + b + c = b + c = 0. From this we get b=cb = -c and an+bn+cn=bn+cn=(c)n+cn=0a^n + b^n + c^n = b^n + c^n = (-c)^n + c^n = 0. In this case nothing to prove. Now consider the case abc0abc \neq 0.
Without losing generality it is possible to assume abca \ge b \ge c. From a+b+c=0a + b + c = 0 follows a>0a > 0 and c<0c < 0.
i) b<0abc<0b < 0 \Rightarrow abc < 0 and an+bn+cn<(a+b)n+cn=(c)n+cn=0a^n + b^n + c^n < (a + b)^n + c^n = (-c)^n + c^n = 0 by property a).
ii) b<0abc>0b < 0 \Rightarrow abc > 0 and an+bn+cn>an+(b+c)n=an+(a)n=0a^n + b^n + c^n > a^n + (b + c)^n = a^n + (-a)^n = 0 by property b).

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