Maths Olympiad Prep

Track / Stage 7 / 224 of 300 #1624 of 1964

Problem 1624

National olympiad second round; IMO P1/P4
Algebra Difficulty 7.5 Prove it

32. Let aia_{i} be positive real numbers (i=1,2,,n)(i=1,2, \cdots, n), and let bk=a1+a2++akk(k=1,2,,n),Cn=(a1b1)2+(a2b2)2++(anbn)2,Dn=(a1bn)2+(a2bn)2b_{k}=\frac{a_{1}+a_{2}+\cdots+a_{k}}{k}(k=1,2, \cdots, n), C_{n}=\left(a_{1}-b_{1}\right)^{2}+\left(a_{2}-b_{2}\right)^{2}+\cdots+\left(a_{n}-b_{n}\right)^{2}, D_{n}=\left(a_{1}-b_{n}\right)^{2}+\left(a_{2}-b_{n}\right)^{2} ++(anbn)2+\cdots+\left(a_{n}-b_{n}\right)^{2}, prove that: CnDn2CnC_{n} \leqslant D_{n} \leqslant 2 C_{n}. (1978 All-Soviet Union Mathematical Olympiad Problem)

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.

Official solution

32. Let f(x)=(xa1)2+(xa2)2++(xan)2f(x)=\left(x-a_{1}\right)^{2}+\left(x-a_{2}\right)^{2}+\cdots+\left(x-a_{n}\right)^{2}

Then \square
f(x)=n(xan)2+f(bn)f(x)=n\left(x-a_{n}\right)^{2}+f\left(b_{n}\right)

Now we prove CnDn2CnC_{n} \leqslant D_{n} \leqslant 2 C_{n} by mathematical induction.
When n=1n=1, C1D1C_{1} \leqslant D_{1}, so C1D12C1C_{1} \leqslant D_{1} \leqslant 2 C_{1}.
Assume that when nn, the inequality holds. When adding a number an+1a_{n+1} to a1,a2,,ana_{1}, a_{2}, \cdots, a_{n}, CnC_{n} increases by (an+1bn+1)2\left(a_{n+1}-b_{n+1}\right)^{2}, and DnD_{n} increases by (an+1bn+1)2+f(bn+1)f(bn)\left(a_{n+1}-b_{n+1}\right)^{2}+f\left(b_{n+1}\right)-f\left(b_{n}\right).

In equation (1), let x=bn+1x=b_{n+1}, we get
0f(bn+1)f(bn)=n(bn+1bn)2=1n(an+1bn+1)2(an+1bn+1)20 \leqslant f\left(b_{n+1}\right)-f\left(b_{n}\right)=n\left(b_{n+1}-b_{n}\right)^{2}=\frac{1}{n}\left(a_{n+1}-b_{n+1}\right)^{2} \leqslant\left(a_{n+1}-b_{n+1}\right)^{2}

Thus, the value by which DnD_{n} increases, (an+1bn+1)2+f(bn+1)f(bn)\left(a_{n+1}-b_{n+1}\right)^{2}+f\left(b_{n+1}\right)-f\left(b_{n}\right), lies between (an+1bn+1)2\left(a_{n+1}-b_{n+1}\right)^{2} and 2(an+1bn+1)22\left(a_{n+1}-b_{n+1}\right)^{2}. Therefore, for n+1n+1, we also have Cn+1Dn+12Cn+1C_{n+1} \leqslant D_{n+1} \leqslant 2 C_{n+1}.

Hence, for all positive integers nn, CnDn2CnC_{n} \leqslant D_{n} \leqslant 2 C_{n}.

Source: NuminaMath-1.5, licensed Apache-2.0. Statement and solution reproduced as published; topic, difficulty and ordering added by this site.