Find the greatest value of the expression ∣(x−y)(y−z)(z−x)∣ for all real numbers x, y, z satisfying x+y+z=0 and x2+y2+z2=6.
Solution
Without the loss of generality we assume that x≥y≥z. Let x−y=a and y−z=b. We have to find the maximum value of ab(a+b). Since x+y+z=0 and x2+y2+z2=6, we get a2+b2+(a+b)2=(x−y)2+(y−z)2+(x−z)2=3(x2+y2+z2)−(x+y+z)2=18. Thus, a2+ab+b2=9. By AM-GM inequality, ab≤4(a+b)2≤3a2+ab+b2=3 and hence ab(a+b)≤3⋅23=63. Equality holds for x=3, y=0, z=−3.
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