Let P(x), Q(x) be polynomials with real coefficients such that P(0)>0 and all coefficients of the polynomial S(x)=P(x)Q(x) are non-negative. Prove that for any positive x the following inequality holds: S(x2)−S2(x)≤41(P2(x3)+Q(x3)).
Solution
If S=0, then Q=0, and the inequality is evident. Suppose now that S is not identically zero. Then ∀x>0S(x)>0. If for some y>0P(y)<0, then the polynomial P, and so the polynomial S, have roots on the interval (0,y), which is impossible. So, P and Q are positive for x>0. Rewrite our inequality in the following way: 4(2P(x2)2Q(x2))−(2P(x)2Q(x))2≤(2P(x3))2+2(2Q(x3)). Denote α=2P, β=2Q, γ=αβ=4PQ. Then the last inequality becomes: 4γ(x2)≤γ2(x)+α2(x3)+2β(x3). Estimate both sides of this inequality: γ2(x)+α2(x3)+2β(x3)=γ2(x)+β(x3)+α2(x3)+β(x3)≥≥44γ2(x)α2(x3)β2(x3)=44γ2(x3)γ2(x)=4γ(x)γ(x3). If γ(x)=a0+a1x+⋯+anxn, then (a0+a1x+⋯+anxn)(a0+a1x3+⋯+anx3n)≥(a0a1+a1a2+⋯+anan+1)2 (the Cauchy-Schwartz inequality), which implies the required inequality.
Want a route through all this instead of an archive? The track
puts 2,000 problems in a working order, from AMC 10 level to the IMO shortlist.
Source: MathNet,
licensed CC-BY-4.0.
Statement and solution reproduced as published; topic and difficulty added by this site.