AlgebraDifficulty 6.8National olympiadFind the answer
Example 17 Let xi⩾0(i=1,2,⋯,n) and ∑i=1nxi2+2∑1⩽i<j⩽njixixj=1, find the maximum and minimum values of ∑i=1nxi. (2001 National High School Mathematics League Additional Question)
The key is to find the maximum value of ∑i=1nxi. Make the transformation xk=kyk(k=Γ,2=⋯,n), and the substitution ai=yi+yi+1+⋯+yn(i=1,2,⋯,n), and use the Cauchy-Schwarz inequality to find the maximum value of ∑i=1nxi.
A number or a short expression. Spacing and $ signs are ignored.
Solution
Solve for the minimum value first, because i=1∑nxi2+21⩽i<j⩽n∑xixj⩾i=1∑nxi2+21⩽i<j⩽n∑jixixj=1⇒i=1∑nxi⩾1
Equality holds if and only if there exists i such that xi=1,xj=0,j=i. Therefore, the minimum value of ∑i=1nxi is 1. Next, solve for the maximum value. Let xk=kyk(k=1,2,⋯,n), so k=1∑nkyk2+21⩽k<j⩽n∑kykyj=1
Let M=∑k=1nxk=∑k=1nkyk⎩⎨⎧y1+y2+⋯+yn=a1y2+⋯+yn=a2⋯yn=an
Then (1) ⇔a12+a22+⋯+an2=1, let an+1=0, then M=k=1∑nk(ak−ak+1)=k=1∑nkak−k=1∑nkak+1=k=1∑nkak−k=1∑nk−1ak=k=1∑n(k−k−1)ak
By the Cauchy-Schwarz inequality, we get M⩽[k=1∑n(k−k−1)2]21⋅(k=1∑nak2)21=[k=1∑n(k−k−1)2]21