Let a1,a2,…,a2n be real numbers with ∑i=12n−1(ai+1−ai)2=1. Find the maximum value of (an+1+an+2+⋯+a2n)−(a1+a2+⋯+an). (posed by Leng Gangsong)
Solution
First, for n=1, we have (a2−a1)2=1, a2−a1=±1. Then the maximum value of a2−a1 is 1.
Secondly, for n≥2, let x1=a1, xi+1=ai+1−ai, i=1,2,…,2n−1. Then ∑i=22nxi2=1, and ak=x1+⋯+xk, k=1,2,…,2n. Using Cauchy's Inequality, we have (an+1+an+2+⋯+a2n)−(a1+a2+⋯+an)=n(x1+⋯+xn)+nxn+1+(n−1)xn+2+⋯+x2n−[nx1+(n−1)x2+⋯+xn]
The equality holds when ak=2n(2n2+1)3k(k−1),an+k=2n(2n2+1)3[2n2−(n−k)(n−k+1)],k=1,2,…,n. So the maximum value of (an+1+an+2+⋯+a2n)−(a1+a2+⋯+an) is 3n(2n2+1).
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Source: MathNet,
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