For real numbers −1<x1,x2,…,xn<1 with sum x1+x2+⋯+xn=0, prove that we have i=1∑nj=1∑nxixj1−xi2xj2≤0 and determine the conditions under which equality holds.
Solution
By Taylor's theorem, we have 1−t=1−k=1∑∞4k(k!)2(2k−1)(2k)!tk for any −1<t<1. Since ∑i=1nxi=0, we have i=1∑nj=1∑nxixj1−xi2xj2=(i=1∑nxi)2−k=1∑∞4k(k!)2(2k−1)(2k)!(i=1∑nxi2k+1)2≤0. Equality holds if and only if ∑i=1nxi2k+1=0 for all k≥1. This means that the list x1,x2,…,xn consists of zeros and opposite numbers. Indeed, equality holds for such numbers. Now suppose ∑i=1nxi2k+1=0 for all k≥1. Removing the zeros, and negating the negative numbers, we get positive numbers a1,a2,…,am>0 and b1,b2,…,bl>0 such that ∑iai2k+1=∑jbj2k+1 for all k≥1. It is easy to see that this implies max{ai}=max{bj} considering a large enough k. By induction, the list consists of zeros and opposite numbers.
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