Example 16 (1) Let three positive real numbers a,b,c satisfy (a2+b2+c2)2>2(a4+b4+c4), prove that a,b,c must be the lengths of the three sides of a triangle; (2) Let n positive real numbers a1,a2,⋯,an satisfy the inequality (a12+a22+⋯+an2)>(n−1)(a14+a24+⋯+an4) (where n⩾3), prove that any three numbers among a1,a2,⋯,an are the lengths of the three sides of a triangle.
Solution
Proof (1) From the problem, we get (a2+b2+c2)2−2(a4+b4+c4)>0, i.e., (a+b+c)(a+b−c)(a−b+c)(b+c−a)>0,
Since a,b,c>0, at least three of the factors on the left side of the inequality are positive. Since the product of the four factors is positive, all four factors must be positive. Therefore, a+b>c, b+c>a, and c+a>b, which means a,b,c must be the lengths of the sides of some triangle. (2) Using the Cauchy-Schwarz inequality, we get (=⩽=n−1)(a14+a24+⋯+an4)<(a12+a22+⋯+an2)2[1×2a12+a22+a32+1×2a12+a22+a32+1×a42+⋯+1×an2]2((n−1)↑12+12+⋯+12)[41(a12+a22+a32)2+41(a12+a22+a32)2+a44+⋯+an4](n−1)[41(a12+a22+a32)2+41(a12+a22+a32)2+a44+⋯+an4],
Thus, 2(a14+a24+a34)<(a12+a22+a32)2. From (1), we know that a1,a2,a3 are the lengths of the sides of some triangle. By symmetry, any three numbers among a1,a2,⋯,an can be the lengths of the sides of some triangle.
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