21 Let n be a given natural number, n⩾3, and for n given real numbers a1,a2,⋯,an, denote the minimum value of ∣ai−aj∣(1⩽i<j⩽n) as m. Find the maximum value of m when a12+⋯+an2=1
Official solution
21. Let a1⩾a2⩾⋯⩾an, then ai−aj⩾(i−j)m. ∑1⩽i<j⩽n(ai−aj)2=(n−1)∑i=1nai2−2∑1⩽i<j⩽naiaj=(n−1)∑i=1nai2−[(∑i=1nai)2−∑i=1nai2]⩽n∑i=1nai2= n. On the other hand, ∑1≤i<j⩽n(ai−aj)2⩾m2∑1≤i<j≤n(i−j)2=m2∑k=1n−1(n−k)⋅k2=12m2n2(n2−1). Therefore, n⩾12m2n2(n2−1), which means m⩽n(n2−1)12. Moreover, the equality holds when ∣ai∣ forms an arithmetic sequence and ∑i=1nai=0. Hence, the maximum value of m is n(n2−1)12.
Source: NuminaMath-1.5,
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