Maths Olympiad Prep

Track / Stage 5 / 351 of 400 #1591 of 2604

Problem 1591

AIME late
Algebra Difficulty 5.8 Prove it Taiwan IMO Selection Camp · Taiwan

Let real numbers xi≥0x_i \ge 0 (i=1,2,…,mi = 1, 2, \dots, m), n≥2n \ge 2, ∑i=1mxi=S\sum_{i=1}^{m} x_i = S. Prove that:
∑i=1mxiS−xin≥2, \sum_{i=1}^{m} \sqrt[n]{\frac{x_i}{S - x_i}} \ge 2,
with equality holding if and only if two of the xix_i are equal and nonzero, while all the others are 00.

This one wants a proof. Work it on paper, then read the official solution and mark yourself. Be honest about it: the record is only any use to you if it is.

Next problem →

Official solution

First we prove Lemma 1 by mathematical induction.

Lemma 1: When x,y≥0x, y \ge 0, n≥2n \ge 2, where nn is a positive integer,
(xn+yn)2≤(x2+y2)n.(1) (x^n + y^n)^2 \le (x^2 + y^2)^n. \quad (1)
Proof: When n=2n = 2, it clearly holds.
Suppose that when n=kn = k (k≥2k \ge 2), the conclusion holds, i.e.
(xk+yk)2≤(x2+y2)k. (x^k + y^k)^2 \le (x^2 + y^2)^k.
When n=k+1n = k + 1,
the right side of (1)=(x2+y2)k+1=(x2+y2)k(x2+y2)≥(xk+yk)2(x2+y2)=(x2k+y2k+2xkyk)(x2+y2)=x2k+2+y2k+2+x2y2k+x2ky2+2xk+2yk+2xkyk+2≥x2k+2+y2k+2+2xk+2yk+2xkyk+2≥x2k+2y2k+2+2xk+1yk+1=(xk+1+yk+1)2. \begin{aligned} \text{the right side of (1)} &= (x^2 + y^2)^{k+1} \\ &= (x^2 + y^2)^k (x^2 + y^2) \\ &\ge (x^k + y^k)^2 (x^2 + y^2) \\ &= (x^{2k} + y^{2k} + 2x^k y^k)(x^2 + y^2) \\ &= x^{2k+2} + y^{2k+2} + x^2 y^{2k} + x^{2k} y^2 + 2x^{k+2} y^k + 2x^k y^{k+2} \\ &\ge x^{2k+2} + y^{2k+2} + 2x^{k+2} y^k + 2x^k y^{k+2} \\ &\ge x^{2k+2} y^{2k+2} + 2x^{k+1} y^{k+1} \\ &= (x^{k+1} + y^{k+1})^2. \end{aligned}

In (1), let x=bnx = \sqrt[n]{b}, y=cny = \sqrt[n]{c}, and simplify to obtain
(b+cn)2≤(bn)2+(cn)2.(2) (\sqrt[n]{b+c})^2 \le (\sqrt[n]{b})^2 + (\sqrt[n]{c})^2. \qquad (2)
Then, by mathematical induction, extend (2) to
(x1+x2+⋯+xmn)2≤(x1n)2+(x2n)2+⋯+(xmn)2, (\sqrt[n]{x_1 + x_2 + \cdots + x_m})^2 \le (\sqrt[n]{x_1})^2 + (\sqrt[n]{x_2})^2 + \cdots + (\sqrt[n]{x_m})^2,
where n≥2n \ge 2, mm is a positive integer.

Then x1S−x1n=x1S−x1nn=2(x1n)22x1nS−x1n≥2(x1n)2(x1n)2+(x2n+x3+⋯+xm)2≥2(x1n)2(x1n)2+(x2n)2+⋯+(xmn)2. \begin{aligned} & \text{Then } \sqrt[n]{\frac{x_1}{S-x_1}} = \sqrt[n]{\frac{x_1}{\sqrt[n]{S-x_1}}} = \frac{2(\sqrt[n]{x_1})^2}{2\sqrt[n]{x_1}\sqrt[n]{S-x_1}} \\ & \ge \frac{2(\sqrt[n]{x_1})^2}{(\sqrt[n]{x_1})^2 + (\sqrt[n]{x_2} + x_3 + \cdots + x_m)^2} \\ & \ge \frac{2(\sqrt[n]{x_1})^2}{(\sqrt[n]{x_1})^2 + (\sqrt[n]{x_2})^2 + \cdots + (\sqrt[n]{x_m})^2}. \end{aligned}

Similarly,
xmS−xmn≥2(x1n)2(x1n)2+(x2n)2+⋯+(xmn)2, \sqrt[n]{\frac{x_m}{S-x_m}} \ge \frac{2(\sqrt[n]{x_1})^2}{(\sqrt[n]{x_1})^2 + (\sqrt[n]{x_2})^2 + \cdots + (\sqrt[n]{x_m})^2},
xmS−xmn≥2(xmn)2(x1n)2+(x2n)2+⋯+(xmn)2. \sqrt[n]{\frac{x_m}{S-x_m}} \ge \frac{2(\sqrt[n]{x_m})^2}{(\sqrt[n]{x_1})^2 + (\sqrt[n]{x_2})^2 + \cdots + (\sqrt[n]{x_m})^2}.

Adding all the above expressions together gives the original inequality.
From the proof process, we know that the equality above holds if and only if two of the xix_i are equal and nonzero, while all the others are 00.

Source: MathNet, licensed CC-BY-4.0. Statement translated into English from zh; metadata (topic, difficulty, ordering) added by this project.