For a a positive real number, let x1,x2,x3 be the roots of the equation x3−ax2+ax−a=0. Determine the smallest possible value of x13+x23+x33−3x1x2x3.
A number or a short expression. Fractions can be typed as 3/2, and spacing doesn't matter.
Solution
Note that x1+x2+x3=x1x2+x2x3+x3x1=a. Then x13+x23+x33−3x1x2x3=(x1+x2+x3)(x12+x22+x32−(x1x2+x2x3+x3x1))=(x1+x2+x3)((x1+x2+x3)2−3(x1x2+x2x3+x3x1))=a⋅(a2−3a)=a3−3a2 The expression is negative only where 0<a<3, so we need only consider these values of a. Finally, AM-GM gives 3(6−2a)(a)(a)≤3(6−2a)+a+a=2, with equality where a=2, and this rewrites as (a−3)a2≥−4
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