Suppose p≥4. Determine the largest constant q such that, for all a,b>0, a1+b1+a+bp≥abq
Solution
Multiplying through by ab we see that we require the largest number q so that aba+b+a+babp≥q,∀a,b>0. To deal with this, let s=aba+b, so that the inequality becomes s+sp≥q. This suggests that we should look for the minimum value of the function f(s)=s+sp. But f(s)−2p=(s−sp)2≥0, with equality iff s=p. Hence, f(s)≥2p, ∀s>0, i.e., q≤2p. In other words, for all a,b>0, a1+b1+a+bp≥ab2p. To prove that 2p is the best constant, we must confirm that there is a pair of positive numbers a,b such that aba+b=p⟺t+t1=p.with t=ba. But p≥4. Hence (p±p−4)/2 are two positive solutions of the quadratic equation t2−pt+1=0. Choose t to be any one of these, let a=t2,b=1 and confirm that t21+1+t2+1p=t2p Hence q=2p.
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