Let a, b, c be positive real numbers such that a2+b2+c2=3. Prove that a1+b3+c5≥4a2+3b2+2c2.
Solution
First solution. The inequality can be written a1+b3+c5+b2+2c2≥4(a2+b2+c2) or a1+b1+c1+b2+b2+c4+2c2≥12. This follows from the following inequalities by using the AM-GM inequality: a1+b1+c1≥3abc3≥3 because 3=a2+b2+c2≥33a2b2c2⟹abc≤1. On the other hand, b2+b2=b1+b1+b2≥33b1⋅b1⋅b2=3 c4+2c2=c2+c2+2c2≥33c2⋅c2⋅2b2=6. The equality holds if a=b=c=1.
Second solution. As x3−3x+2≥0,∀x≥0 (equivalent to (x−1)2(x+2)≥0; alternatively, the previous inequality follows from AM-GM: x3+1+1≥33x3⋅1⋅1=3x; the equality holds whence x=1). We deduce that x1≥23−2x2. Writing this for a, b, c and multiplying these inequalities by 1, 3, and 5, respectively, we obtain by summing a1+b3+c5≥227−2a2+3b3+5c2. Using 27=9(a2+b2+c2) one obtains the conclusion. The equality holds if and only if a=b=c=1.
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