a. Let n be a positive integer. Prove that nx−n2≤2x, for all x≥n2.
b. Determine real numbers x, y, z satisfying the equation 2x−1+4y−4+6z−9=x+y+z.
Solution
a. Since x≥n2, we have nx−n2≤2x⇔2nx−n2≤x⇔4n2(x−n2)≤x2⇔(x−2n2)2≥0, which is valid. Equality holds if and only if x=2n2.
Alternatively, for every x≥n2, it is enough to prove that nx−n2−2x≤0⇔2nx−n2−x≤0⇔2nx−n2+x(2nx−n2−x)(2nx−n2+x)≤0 ⇔2nx−n2+x4n2(x−n2)−x2≤0⇔2nx−n2+x−(x−2n2)2≤0, which is valid. Equality holds for x=2n2.
b. The given inequality can be written in the form (2x−1−x)+(4y−4−y)+(6z−9−z)=0,(1) for x≥1, y≥4 and z≥9.
Using (a) for n=1,2,…,3, we get 2x−1−x≤0,4y−4−y≤0and6z−9−z≤0, And therefore (1) is possible to be valid, only for 2x−1−x=0,4y−4−y=0and6z−9−z=0⇔x=2,y=8,z=18.
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