1 Problems and Solutions
1 Problems and Solutions
Keith Ong
April 2020
⇐⇒ a2 b2 + b2 c2 + c2 a2 ≥ a2 bc + b2 ca + c2 ab.
1 − a2 1 − b2 1 − c2 27 87 12
2
+ 2
+ 2
≤− + =
1+a 1+b 1+c 25 25 5
1
3. (Folklore) a, b > 0, a + b = 1 Prove that
1 1 25
(a + )(b + ) ≥
a b 4
Solution: By AM-GM,
r s
1 1 1 10 1 1 1000
(a+9 )(b+9 )(c+9 ) ≥ 1000 ≥ 1000 10 27 a+b+c 24 =
9b 9c 9a 927 a8 b8 c8 9 ( 3 ) 27
2
5. (India 2002) a, b, c are positive reals. Prove that
( cyc x)2
P
X X
2
x ≥ ≥ x
cyc
3 cyc
6. (IMO 1995) Let a, b and c be positive real numbers such that abc = 1.
Prove:
1 1 1 3
+ + ≥
a3 (b + c) b3 (a + c) c3 (a + b) 2
1 1 1 b2 c 2 a2 c2 a2 b2
+ + = + +
a3 (b + c) b3 (a + c) c3 (a + b) a(b + c) b(a + c) c(a + b)
(bc + ac + ab)2 3
≥ ≥ ⇐⇒ ab + bc + ca ≥ 3
2(ab + bc + ca) 2
(b). By AM-GM,
X 1 a(b + c) X
( + )≥ bc,
cyc
a3 (b + c) 4 cyc
X 1 1X
≥ bc,
cyc
a3 (b + c) 2 cyc
X 1 3
≥ ,
cyc
a3 (b+ c) 2
3
This inequality can be generalized further: Let a, b, c ∈ R+ such that abc = 1.
Then X 1 3
x (b + c)
≥
cyc
a 2
holds if x ≥ 2 or x ≤ −1.
Proof:
For each −1 < x < 2, we can find positive real numbers a, b, c such that abc = 1
and the inequality doesn’t hold. For any real x, define
X 1
f (x; a, b, c) =
cyc
ax (b+ c)
1 X 1 X 1 X 1
≥ ( x−y
)( y
)≥ y
3 cyc a cyc
a (b + c) cyc
a (b + c)
We have used AM-GM inequality in the last leg.We get f (x; a, b, c) ≥ f (y; a, b, c)
if x ≥ y ≥ 1. Thus f (x; a, b, c) is a non-decreasing function on [1, ∞). Now
consider f (2; a, b, c). We write
X 1 X a2 b2 (ab + bc + ca)2 3
f (2; a, b, c) = = ≥ ≥
cyc
a2 (b+ c) cyc
a + b 2(a + b + c) 2
⇐⇒ a2 b2 + b2 c2 + c2 a2 ≥ a + b + c
which follows from Muirhead Inequality, a2 b2 +b2 c2 +c2 a2 ≥ a2 bc+b2 ca+c2 ab =
a + b + c.Thus, we can conclude that f (x; a, b, c) ≥ 23 for x ≥ 2.
Remark: For 1/2 ≤ x < 2 the inequality fails.I am not presenting the
proof(it is not so lovely). For x in the interval (−∞, 1/2), we replace a, b, c by
1/p,1/q and 1/r respectively. Then f (x; a, b, c) = f (1 − x; p, q, r). But 1 − x
lies in the interval (1/2, ∞). It follows that the inequality hold good for x ≤ −1.
4
7. Let a, b, c be positive real numbers such that abc = 1. Prove that
(b). We first replace a, b, c by 1/a, 1/b, 1/c and then the inequality becomes
!
2 2 2
a2 b2 c2 3 1 (c − b) (b − a) (c − a)
+ + ≥ + + +
b+c c+a a+b 2 4 b+c b+a a+c
a2 b2 c2 1 b2 + c2 c2 + a 2 a 2 + b2
+ + ≥ + +
b+c c+a a+b 2 b+c c+a a+b
We have by AM-GM,
!
2 2 2
b2 + c2 c2 + a2 a2 + b2
1 1 (c − b) (b − a) (c − a) 1 3
+ + − + + = (a + b + c) ≥
2 b+c c+a a+b 4 b+c b+a a+c 2 2
5
8. For a, b, c ≥ 1 Prove that
√ √ √ p
a − 1 + b − 1 + c − 1 ≤ c(ab + 1)
√ √ √
Solution: We will prove that a − 1 + b − 1 ≤ ab. Squaring gives us
p
2 (a − 1)(b − 1) ≤ ab − a − b + 1 + 1
p
2 (a − 1)(b − 1) ≤ (a − 1)(b − 1) + 1
which is true by AM-GM. Then, we have
√ √ √ √ √ p
a − 1 + b − 1 + c − 1 ≤ ab + 1 − 1 + c − 1 ≤ c(ab + 1)
6
10. Let a, b, c, d be positive real numbers. Prove that
6 8
1+ ≥
ab + ac + ad + bc + bd + cd a+b+c+d
11. (Second Saudi Arabia JBMO 2019, P2) Let a, b, c be non-negative real
numbers. Prove that
p p p
a 3a2 + 6b2 + b 3b2 + 6c2 + c 3c2 + 6a2 ≥ (a + b + c)2
√
Solution: We shall proceed by proving that a 3a2 + 6b2 ≥ a2 + 2ab. By
squaring it, we have
1
12. (ELMO 2019 shortlist A1) Let a, b, c be positive reals such that a + 1b +
1
c = 1. Show that
7
13. Let a, b, c, d be positive real numbers, such that abcd = 1. Prove that
1 1 1 1
+ + + ≥1
5a2 − 2a + 1 5b2 − 2b + 1 5c2 − 2c + 1 5d2 − 2d + 1
( cyc abc)2
P
X a2 b2 c2
≥ P P
cyc
a2 b2 c2 − 2abc + 5 2 2 2
cyc a b c − 2 cyc abc + 20
1 1 1 1
Remark:We can also let a = w,b = x, c = y,d = z before proceeding to
CS-Inequality.
t6 3
3 6
+ 2 ≥1
5 − 2t + t 5t − 2t + 1
and we know that the equality happens when t = 1 so we only need take the
derivative and verify that t = 1 is the minimum value of the function.
8
14. For n ∈ N. Prove that
√ 1
n
n<1+ √
n
n−1
≤ p n−1
n−1
1 + n − 1( n 2 )
n−1
≤ 1
1 + (n − 1)n 2
n−1
< √
(n − 1) n
1
=√ .
n
X c 9(ab + bc + ca)
⇐⇒ 3 + (a + b + c) ≥9−
cyc
a2 2
+ b + ab (a + b + c)2
X c2 9(ab + bc + ca)
⇐⇒ (a + b + c) + ≥6
cyc
c(a2 + b2 + ab) (a + b + c)2
9
And it is suffices to prove that
by AM-GM.
16. (MOP 2006) Let n be a positive integer. Solve the system of equations:
n(n + 1)
x1 + 2x2 + · · · + nxn =
2
x1 + x22 + · · · + xnn = n
Solution: Take the second equality and subtract the first equality, we get
x √ 1
− 2 < 3
y y
Solution: We have
√
√ 1 2 2 x + 2y
|x − 2y| < 2 ⇒ 1 ≤ |x − 2y | <
y y2
and then from the first and second inequality, we get that
√ 1 √
y2 − 2y < x < 2
+ 2y ⇒ y < 3
y
√ √
So, when y = 1, |x − 2| < 1, x = 1, 2. When y = 2, |x − 2 2| < 41 , x = 3.
10
18. (Macedonian Olympiad 2005) If a, b, c > 1 and a + b + c = 9, prove that
√ √ √ √ p
ab + ac + bc ≤ a + b + c ≤ a2 + b2 + c2
x4
+ 12x ≥ 4x2 + 9
9
(x − 3)2 (x2 + 6x − 9) ≥ 0
√
which follows from x2 + 6x − 9 ≥ 6 3 − 6 > 0.
11
19. (Taiwan 1992) If x1 , x2 , x3 , · · · , xn (n > 2) are non-negative real numbers
with x1 + x2 + · · · + xn = 1. Prove that
4
x21 x2 + x22 x3 + ... + x2n x1 ≤
27
12
21. (IMO 2000) Let a, b, c be positive reals such that abc = 1. Prove that
1 1 1
a−1+ b−1+ c−1+ ≤1
b c a
Solution: Usually when we see abc = 1, it’s tempting to use the substitution
a = xy , b = yz , c = xz and we will do so. We get that
a b c d
+ + + ≥2
b+c c+d d+a a+b
( cyc a)2
P
X a
≥P ≥ 2 ⇐⇒ a2 + b2 + c2 + d2 ≥ 2ac + 2bd
cyc
b + c cyc a(b + c)
Solution: Multiply both sides by 1 + abc and add 3 both sides, then with
AM-GM,
X 1 + abc + a + ab X 1+a X b(1 + c)
= + ≥ 6.
cyc
a + ab cyc
a(a + b) cyc (a + b)
13
24. Let x, y, z > 0 such that xyz = 1. Show that
x2 + y 2 + z 2 + x + y + z ≥ 2(xy + yz + zx)
25. (Germany TST 2012 P3) Let a, b, c be positive real numbers with a2 +
b + c2 ≥ 3. Prove that
2
14
26. (IMO 1983) Let a, b, c be the lengths of the sides of a triangle. Prove
that
a2 b(a − b) + b2 c(b − c) + c2 a(c − a) ≥ 0
Solution: By the triangle inequality, we get b ≥ a − c, c ≥ b − a, a ≥ c − b.
Thus the inequality becomes
1
Solution: Notice that abc = 13 ( a1 + 1b + 1c ) and 1
1+a2 (b+c) = 1
1+3a−abc so now
the inequality becomes
X 1 1 1 1 1
≥ + +
cyc
1 + 3a − abc 3 a b c
15
1 1 1
√
29. Let a, b, c > 0 such that a + b + c = abc. Prove that
p
abc ≥ 3(a + b + c).
30. (Adapted from APMO 2004) Let a, b, c be real numbers. Prove that
(a + b)2 3
(a2 +2)(b2 +2) = (a2 +1)(1+b2 )+a2 +b2 +3 ≥ (a+b)2 + +3 = ((a+b)2 +2)
2 2
Now, we can use CS-Inequality again to prove the inequality,
3
(a2 + 2)(b2 + 2)(c2 + 2) ≥ ((a + b)2 + 2)(c2 + 2)
2
3 √ √
≥ ( 2(a + b) + 2c)2
2
= 3(a + b + c)2 .
16
31. Let a, b, c be positive real numbers such that a + b + c = 3. Prove that
a2 b2 c2
2
+ 2
+ ≥1
a + 2b b + 2c c + 2a2
a b c a b c
+ + ≤ + +
b+c c+a a+b (b + c)2 (c + a)2 (a + b)2
Solution: We see that the RHS has an extra factor of (b + c), (c + a), (a + b)
in the denominators. Thus, we can use Chebyshev’s Inequality by letting
1 1 1
0 < a ≤ b ≤ c and so b+c ≤ c+a ≤ a+b , we have
a b c 1 a b c 1 1 1
+ + ≥ + + + + .
(b + c)2 (c + a)2 (a + b)2 3 b+c c+a a+b b+c c+a a+b
17
33. Let a, b, c > 0 such that ab + bc + ca = 1. Prove that
p p p
abc(a + a2 + 1)(b + b2 + 1)(c + c2 + 1) ≤ 1
√ √
Solution: Note that ( a2 + 1 − a)( a2 + 1 + a) = 1, so the we multiply
each side by this extra factor to get
p p p
( a2 + 1 − a)( b2 + 1 − b)( c2 − 1 − c) ≥ abc.
Solution: 1. CS-Inequality,
p √
(1 − a + a)(1 − b + b) ≥ ( (1 − a)(1 − b) + ab)2 > (1 − a)(1 − b) + ab
sin A sin B sin C +cos A cos B cos C < sin A sin B +cos A cos B = cos(A−B) ≤ 1.
18
1 1 1
35. Let x, y, z > 1 such that x + y + z = 2. Prove that
√ √ p √
x+y+z ≥ x−1+ y−1+ z−1
Solution: We have the given conditions in powers of two but the inequality
has powers of three on the numerators, so it is good to separate the denomina-
tors and the numerators by using Chebyshev’s Inequality. Let a ≤ b ≤ c and
1 1 1
2b2 +c2 ≤ 2c2 +a2 ≤ 2a2 +b2 ,
a3 b3 c3
1 1 1 1
2 2
+ 2 2
+ 2 2
≥ (a3 +b3 +c3 ) 2 2
+ 2 2
+ 2 .
2b + c 2c + a 2a + b 3 2b + c 2c + a 2a + c2
So, it’s suffices to prove that a3 +b3 +c3 ≥ 3 which follows from Weighted Power
Mean,
3 1 1
a + b3 + c3 3
2
a + b2 + c 2 2
≥ .
3 3
19
37. Let x, y, z > 0 such that x + y + z = xyz. Prove that
x+y y+z z+x 27
+ + ≥
1 + z2 1 + x2 1 + y2 2xyz
Solution: By CS-Inequality,
Now, by AM-GM,
4(x + y + z)2
27 27
≥ 4(x + y + z)2 = .
Πcyc (x + y) 8(x + y + z) 2xyz
20
39. (IMO SL 1996 A1) Let a, b, c be positive reals such that abc = 1. Prove
that
X ab
≤ 1.
cyc
a + b5 + ab
5
21
42. (Folklore) Let a, b, c > 0 and abc = 1. Prove that
Solution: We first put all variables to the LHS, so we need to prove that
−2a+b+c a−2b+c a+b−2c
1≥a 3 b 3 c 3
aa bb cc ≥ ac ba cb .
22
45. (Evan√ Chen√ / ELMO
√ SL 2013) Let a, b, c be positive reals satisfying
a + b + c = 7 a + 7 b + 7 c. Prove
aa bb cc ≥ 1
23
√ √ √
47. Let a, b, c be positive reals such that a2 + b2 + a2 + c2 + b2 + c2 =
2017. Find the minimum value of
a2 b2 c2
A= + + .
b+c c+a a+b
Now, I will prove a general lemma with Chebyshev’s Inequality and CS-Inequality,
Lemma: a, b, c are positive reals, we have
X an 3 an + bn + cn
≥
cyc
b+c 2 a+b+c
X an 1
1 1 1
3 an + bn + cn
≥ (an + bn + cn ) + + ≥ .
cyc
b+c 3 b+c c+a a+b 2 a+b+c
2017
where equality happens at a = b = c = √ .
3 2
24
48. (Taiwan TST) Let a, b, c be positive reals, prove that
r
√3
3 3
3 a + b + c
3
3(a + b + c) ≥ 8 abc +
3
(a + b + c)3 ≥ 24abc + a3 + b3 + c3 .
a2 b + a2 c + b2 a + b2 c + c2 a + c2 b ≥ 6abc
25
50. (IMO 1984) Prove that
7
0 ≤ yz + zx + xy − 2xyz ≤
27
where x, y, z are non-negative real numbers satisfying x + y + z = 1.
Solution: 1. We start from the LHS. Using the given condition, we homog-
enize the whole inequality,
which is clearly true. Then we can also do the same thing for the RHS, that is,
proving
7
(x + y + z)(xy + yz + zx) − 2xyz ≤ (x + y + z)3
27
I will leave this to you.
26