Problem: Let a, b, c, λ be positive real numbers with λ≥1/4. Show that b2+λbc+c2a+c2+λca+a2b+a2+λab+b2c≥λ+23
Solution
Solution: Denote the left side of the inequality by LS. By Hölder we have (a(b2+λbc+c2)+b(c2+λca+a2)+c(a2+λab+b2))(LS)2≥(a+b+c)3 So now it is sufficient to prove a2b+ab2+b2c+bc2+c2a+ca2+3λabc(a+b+c)3≥λ+29 Now for easier notation write ∑a2b for a2b+ab2+b2c+bc2+c2a+ca2. Multiplying by the denominators and cancelling terms on both sides results in the inequality 2(a3+b3+c3)+12abc+λ(a3+b3+c3−21abc+3∑a2b)≥3∑a2b Note that a3+b3+c3+3∑a2b−21abc≥0 by AM-GM. Since the LS is a linear function in λ and the coefficient for λ is positive, the inequality is stricter for smaller λ. So in other words we can now assume λ=1/4. Multiplying by 4/9 and rearranging once again we arrive at the final inequality: (a3+b3+c3)+3abc−∑a2b≥0 and this inequality is true by Schur.
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