Let n≥2 and a1,a2,…,an,b1,b2,…,bn be non-negative integers. Prove that (n−1n)n−1(n1i=1∑nai2)+(n1i=1∑nbi)2⩾i=1∏n(ai2+bi2)n1.
Solution
Denote λ=(n−1n)n−1, n≥2. Obviously, λ>1. For given i∈{1,…,n}, fix p=ak2+bk2 for k=1,2,…,n and fix aj and bj (j=i). Then the left-hand side of 1◯=nλ(p−bi2+j=i∑aj2)+n21(bi+j=i∑bj)2 is a quadratic function of bi, bi∈[0,p], with leading coefficient −nλ+n21<0. Thus, its minimum is taken at the endpoints, that is, bi=0 or ai=0. So, we can suppose that aibi=0,i=1,2,…,n.
Case 1. Each ai=0, then by the mean value inequality, we have (n1i=1∑nbi)2≥i=1∏nbin2.
Case 2. Each bi=0, then by the mean value inequality, we have λ(n1i=1∑nai2)≥n1i=1∑nai2≥i=1∏nain2.
Case 3. We may suppose that b1=⋯=bk=0, ak+1=⋯=an=0, 1≤k<n. Let a1a2⋯ak=ak,bk+1⋯bn=bn−k,a,b≥0. Then by the mean value inequality, we have a12+a22+⋯+ak2≥ka2,bk+1+⋯+bn≥(n−k)b. It suffices to prove that nλka2+n2(n−k)2b2≥an2k⋅bn2(n−k).2◯ By the mean value inequality, we see that The left-hand side of 2◯=nλa2+⋯+nλa2+k termsn2n−kb2+⋯+n−k termsn2n−kb2≥λnkan2k⋅(nn−k)nn−k⋅bn2(n−k). So, it suffices to show that λnk(nn−k)nn−k≥1, that is, to show (n−kn)n−k≤λk. In fact, n−k termsn−kn⋅n−kn⋅⋯⋅n−kn⋅n−k terms1⋅1⋅⋯⋅1≤(nk−kn+(nk−n))nk−k=(n−1n)(n−1)k=λk.□
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