Denote x1=a1, xk=ak−(ak−1+⋯+a1), k=2,n, and observe that xk+1−xk=ak+1−2ak, k=1,n−1. It results
2(a2a1+a3a2+a4a3+⋯+anan−1)=i=1∑n−1(1−ai+1xi+1−xi).
n−a1x1−i=1∑n−1ai+1xi+1−xi=n−anxn−i=1∑n−1xi(ai1−ai+11)≤n,
since xi≥0,∀i=1,n and ai≤ai+1,∀i=1,n−1.
Equality holds if and only if x2=x3=⋯=xn=0, that is, a2=a1, a3=2a1,…,an=2n−2a1.