are positive real numbers such that
At most, how many of the numbers: can be bigger than ?
Problem 1464
Official solution
1. Given Condition:
We start with the given condition:
where are positive real numbers.
2. Claim:
We need to determine how many of the numbers:
can be greater than 1.
3. Example to Achieve 4:
Consider the specific values and . We need to check if these values satisfy the given condition and if they allow four of the expressions to be greater than 1.
4. Assumption and Simplification:
Assume without loss of generality that . We analyze the case when :
- For , all expressions are equal to 1.
- For , the product becomes greater than 1, which contradicts the given condition. Thus, .
5. Case Analysis:
- If , then and are both less than 1. Additionally, , so at most three expressions can be greater than 1.
- If , we analyze further:
- , so at most five expressions can be greater than 1.
6. Checking for 5 Expressions:
Suppose five expressions can be greater than 1. This implies:
-
-
-
These yield:
7. Further Implications:
- Since (otherwise would yield a contradiction), we have .
- From , we get .
- From , we get .
8. Contradiction:
Combining these, we get:
This implies:
Since , we get . Finally, , which contradicts the given condition .
9. Conclusion:
Therefore, at most four of the given expressions can be greater than 1.
The final answer is .