Let a, b and c be real numbers for which abc=1. Prove that 1+a20141+1+b20141+1+c20141>1.
Solutions — 3
Solution 1
Let a2014=u, b2014=v and c2014=w; then abc=1 gives that uvw=1. As the numerators of the l.h.s. of the inequality to be proven are positive, the inequality is equivalent to (1+v)(1+w)+(1+w)(1+u)+(1+u)(1+v)>(1+u)(1+v)(1+w).
By expanding, simplifying and using uvw=1, we get 1+u+v+w>0. But this is true, since u, v and w are positive.
Solution 2
Let a2014=u, b2014=v and c2014=w. Then abc=1 gives that uvw=1. Therefore there exist positive real numbers x, y, z such that u=yx, v=zy and w=xz. The inequality can then be written as 1+yx1+1+zy1+1+xz1>1 which is equivalent to x+yy+y+zz+z+xx>1. But this inequality can be obtained by adding the obvious inequalities x+yy>x+y+zy, y+zz>x+y+zz and z+xx>x+y+zx.
Solution 3
Let a2014=u, b2014=v and c2014=w; then abc=1 gives that uvw=1. W.l.o.g., let w be the greatest of u, v, w. Then w≥1, because otherwise u, v, w would all be less than 1 and their product could not be 1. Thus uv≤1. Now 1+u1+1+v1−1=(1+u)(1+v)(1+v)+(1+u)−(1+u)(1+v)=(1+u)(1+v)1−uv≥0. Thus 1+u1+1+v1≥1, from which the desired inequality can be concluded.
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