MathLinks.

ro

Inequalities Marathon

http://www.mathlinks.ro/viewtopic.php?t=299899

Author:
MathLink ers

Editor:
Hassan Al-Sibyani

October 4, 2009

Participant sorted alphabetically by thier Mathlink username:

alex2008
apratimdefermat
beautifulliar
bokagadha
Brut3Forc3
dgreenb801
Dimitris X
enndb0x
FantasyLover
geniusbliss
great math
hasan4444
keyree10
Mateescu Constantin
Maths Mechanic
Pain rinnegan
Potla
R.Maths
Rofler
saif
socrates
Virgil Nicula

List of names:
Name
Apratim De
Endrit Fejzullahu
Hassan Al-Sibyani
Hoang Quoc Viet
Mateescu Constantin
Raghav Grover
Toang Huc Khein
Popa Alexandru
Redwane Khyaoui
Sayan Mukherjee
Virgil Nicula

Mathlink User
apratimdefermat
enndb0x
hasan4444
great math
Mateescu Constantin
Maths Mechanic
Pain Rinnegan
alex2008
R.Maths
Potla
Virgil Nicula

Problem 1 India 2002 (Hassan Al-Sibyani): For any positive real numbers a, b, c show that the following
inequality holds
a b
c
c+a a+b
b+c
+ +
+
+
b
c a
c+b
a+c b+a

First Solution (Popa Alexandru): Ok. After not so many computations i got that:
a b
c
a+b
b+c
c+a
+ +

b
c a c+a a+b
b+c
 2

b2
c2
a b
abc
a
c
+ 2+ 2
=
(a + b)(b + c)(c + a) b2
c
a
b
c a


abc
bc
ca
ab
+
+
+

3
(a + b)(b + c)(c + a) c2
a2
b2
a2 b2 c2
a b c
ab bc ca
So in order to prove the above inequality we need to prove 2 + 2 + 2 + + and 2 + 2 + 2 3
b
c
a
b c a
c
a
b
The second inequality is obvious by AM-GM , and the for the first we have:


b2
c2
a2
+ 2+ 2
2
b
c
a

2


3

a2
b2
c2
+ 2+ 2
2
b
c
a

c
a b
+ +
b
c a

2

a
b
c
where i used AM-GM and the inequality 3(x2 + y 2 + z 2 ) (x + y + z)2 for x = , y = , z =
b
c
a
So the inequality is proved.
a
b
c
Second Solution (Raghav Grover): Substitute
= x, = y, = z So xyz = 1. The inequality after
b
c
a
substitution becomes
x2 z + y 2 x + z 2 x + x2 + y 2 + z 2 x + y + z + 3
x2 z + y 2 x + z 2 x 3 So now it is left to prove that x2 + y 2 + z 2 x + y + z which is easy.
Third Solution (Popa Alexandru): Bashing out it gives
a4 c2 + b4 a2 + c4 b2 + a3 b3 + b3 c3 + a3 c3 abc(ab2 + bc2 + ca2 + 3abc)
which is true because AM-GM gives :
a3 b3 + b3 c3 + a3 c3 3a2 b2 c2
and by Muirhead :
a4 c2 + b4 a2 + c4 b2 abc(ab2 + +bc2 + ca2 )

Fourth Solution (Popa Alexandru): Observe that the inequality is equivalent with:
X a2 + bc
3
a(a + b)
cyc
Now use AM-GM:

s Q
X a2 + bc
(a2 + bc)
Q
33
a(a + b)
abc (a + b)
cyc

So it remains to prove:
Y
Y
(a2 + bc) abc (a + b)
Now we prove
(a2 + bc)(b2 + ca) ab(c + a)(b + c) a3 + b3 ab2 + a2 b (a + b)(a b)2 0
Multiplying the similars we are done.

Problem 2 Maxim Bogdan (Popa Alexandru): Let a, b, c, d > 0 such that a b c d and abcd = 1 .
Then show that:
3
(a + 1)(d + 1) 3 + 3
4d
1
First Solution (Mateescu Constantin):From the condition a b c d we get that a 3 .
d


1
= (a + 1)(d + 1)
+
1
(d + 1)
3
 d

1
3
Now lets prove that 1 + 3 (d + 1) 3 + 3
d
4d
3
This is equivalent with: (d3 + 1)(d + 1) 3d3 +
4

2
3
2
[d(d 1)] [d(d 1)] + 1 d(d 1) 21 0.
4

1
1
1+ 3
Equality holds for a = 3 and d(d 1) = 0 d =
d
2
2

Problem 3 Darij Grinberg (Hassan Al-Sibyani): If a, b, c are three positive real numbers, then
a
2

(b + c)

b
(c + a)

c
(a + b)

9
4 (a + b + c)

First Solution (Dimitris X):

X
(a + b + c)2
a2
P

2
ab2 + ac2 + 2abc
sym a b + 6abc
So we only have to prove
X that:
X
X
4(a + b + c)3 9
a2 b + 54abc 4(a3 + b3 + c3 ) + 12
a2 b + 24abc 9
a2 b + 54abc
4(a3 + b3 + c3 ) + 3

sym
X
a2 b 30abc

sym

sym

sym

But

a b 6abc and a3 + b3 + c3 3abc

sym

So 4(a3 + b3 + c3 ) + 3

a2 b 30abc

sym

Second Solution (Popa Alexandru): Use Cauchy-Schwartz and Nesbitt:


 
2
a
b
c
a
b
c
9
(a + b + c)
+
+

+
+

(b + c)2
(c + a)2
(a + b)2
b+c c+a a+b
4

Problem 4 United Kingdom (Dimitris X): For a, b, c 0 and a+b+c = 1 prove that 7(ab+bc+ca) 2+9abc
First Solution (Popa Alexandru):
Homogenize to
2(a + b + c)3 + 9abc 7(ab + bc + ca)(a + b + c)
Expanding it becomes :
X

a3 + 6

sym

a2 b + 21abc 7

sym

a2 b + 21abc

sym

So we just need to show:

X

a3

sym

a2 b

sym

which is obvious by
a3 + a3 + b3 3a2 b and similars.
Second Solution (Popa Alexandru): Schur gives 1 + 9abc 4(ab + bc + ca) and use also 3(ab + bc + ca)
(a + b + c)2 = 1 Suming is done .

Problem 5 Gheorghe Szollosy, Gazeta Matematica (Popa Alexandru): Let x, y, z R+ . Prove that:
p

x(y + 1) +

p
p
3p
y(z + 1) + z(x + 1)
(x + 1)(y + 1)(z + 1)
2

First Solution (Endrit Fejzullahu): Dividing with the square root on the RHS we have :
r
r
r
3
x
y
z
+
+

(x + 1)(z + 1)
(x + 1)(y + 1)
(y + 1)(z + 1)
2
By AM-GM
r

1
x

(x + 1)(z + 1)
2

1
x
+
x+1 y+1

y
1

(x + 1)(y + 1)
2

y
1
+
y+1 x+1

z
1

(y + 1)(z + 1)
2

z
1
+
z+1 y+1

Summing we obtain
1
LHS
2



x
1
+
x+1 x+1


+

y
1
+
y+1 y+1


+

z
1
+
z+1 z+1



Problem 6 (Endrit Fejzullahu): Let a, b, c be positive numbers , then prove that

1 1 1
4a
4b
4c
+ + 2
+ 2
+ 2
2
2
2
2
a b
c
2a + b + c
a + 2b + c
a + b2 + 2c2

3
2


First Solution (Mateescu Constantin): By AM GM we have 2a2 + b2 + c2 4a bc
4a
1
4a
=
=
2a2 + b2 + c2
4a bc
bc
1
1
1
Addind the similar inequalities = RHS + + (1)
ca
ab
bc

2
2 
1 1 1
1
1
1
Using Cauchy-Schwarz we have + +

+ +
a b
c
ca
ab
bc
1
1
1
1 1 1
So + + + + (2)
a b
c
ca
ab
bc
From (1), (2) we obtain the desired result .
Second Solution (Popa Alexandru): By Cauchy-Schwatz :
a
a
4a
2
+ 2
2a2 + b2 + c2
a + b2
a + c2
Then we have
RHS


X 1
X a+b
X 2
1

+
= LHS
a2 + b2
a+b
2a 2b
cyc
cyc
cyc

Problem 7 (Mateescu Constantin): Let a, b, c, d, e be non-negative real numbers such that a + b +

c + d + e = 5 . Prove that:
abc + bcd + cde + dea + eab 5

First Solution (Popa Alexandru): Assume e min{a, b, c, d}. Then AM-GM gives :
e(c + a)(b + d) + bc(a + d e)

e(5 e)2
(5 2e)2
+
5
4
27

the last one being equivalent with:

(e 1)2 (e + 8) 0

Problem 8 Popa Alexandru (Popa Alexandru): Let a, b, c be real numbers such that 0 a b c .
Prove that:
(a + b)(c + a)2 6abc

First Solution (Popa Alexandru): Let

b = xa , c = yb = xya x, y 1
Then:

(a + b)(a + c)2
2abc
3
(x + 1)(xy + 1)2 a3 6x2 ya3

 (x + 1)(xy + 1)2 6x2 y

(x + 1)(4xy + (xy 1)2 ) 6x2 y
4xy + (xy 1)2 x + (xy 1)2 2x2 y 0
We have that:
4xy + (xy 1)2 x + (xy 1)2 2x2 y
4xy + 2(xy 1)2 2x2 y( because x 1)
= 2x2 y 2 + 2 2x2 y = 2xy(y 1) + 2 > 0
done.
Second Solution (Endrit Fejzullahu): Let b = a + x, c = b + y = a + x + y,sure x, y 0
Inequality becomes
(2a + x)(x + y + 2a)2 6a(a + x)(a + x + y) 0
But
(2a + x)(x + y + 2a)2 6a(a + x)(a + x + y) = 2a3 + 2a2 y + 2axy + 2ay 2 + x3 + 2x2 y + xy 2
which is clearly positive.

Problem 9 (Raghav Grover): Prove for positive reals

b
c
d
a
+
+
+
2
b+c c+d d+a a+b

First Solution (Dimitris X):

(a + b + c + d)2
From andreescu LHS X
ab + (ac + bd)
sym

So we only need to prove that:

(a + b + c + d)2 2

ab + 2(ac + bd) (a c)2 + (b d)2 0....

sym

Problem 10 (Dimitris X): Let a, b, c, d be REAL numbers such that a2 + b2 + c2 + d2 = 4 Prove

that:
a3 + b3 + c3 + d3 8

First Solution (Popa Alexandru): Just observe that

a3 + b3 + c3 + d3 2(a2 + b2 + c2 + d2 ) = 8
because a, b, c, d 2

Problem 11 (Endrit Fejzullahu): Let a, b, c be positive real numbers such that abc = 1 .Prove that
X
cyc

1
1

a2 + 2b2 + 3
2

First Solution (Popa Alexandru): Using AM-GM we have :

LHS =

X
cyc

X
1
1

(a2 + b2 ) + (b2 + 1) + 2
2ab
+
2b + 2
cyc
=

because

1X
1
1
=
2 cyc ab + b + 1
2

1
1
1
ab
1
=
=
=
bc + c + 1
bc + c + abc
c ab + b + 1
ab + b + 1

and

1
=
ca + a + 1

so
X
cyc

1
b

1
b
=
ab + b + 1
+a+1

1
1
ab
b
=
+
+
=1
ab + b + 1
ab + b + 1 ab + b + 1 ab + b + 1

Problem 12 Popa Alexandru (Popa Alexandru): Let a, b, c > 0 such that a + b + c = 1. Prove that:
15
1+a+b 1+b+c 1+c+a
+
+

2+c
2+a
2+b
7

First Solution (Dimitris X):

X1+a+b
X 3 + (a + b + c)
X 4
15
36
36
+1
+ 3

2+c
7
2+c
7
2+c
7
X 22
(2 + 2 + 2)2
36
But

=
2+c
2+2+2+a+b+c
7
Second Solution (Endrit Fejzullahu): Let a b c then by Chebyshevs inequality we have
X 1
1
5X 1
LHS (1 + 1 + 1 + 2(a + b + c))
=
3
2+a
3 cyc 2 + a
cyc
X 1
9
15
By Titus Lemma
, then LHS
2
+
a
7
7
cyc

Problem 13 Titu Andreescu, IMO 2000 (Dimitris X): Let a, b, c be positive so that abc = 1




1
1
1
a1+
b1+
c1+
1
b
c
a

First Solution

 (Endrit Fejzullahu):


1
1
1
a1+
b1+
c1+
1
b
c
a
x
y
Substitute a = , b =
y
z
Inequality
isequivalent with

x
z y
x z
y
1
1+
1+
1+
y
y
z
z
x
x
(x + z y)(y z + x)(z x + y) xyz
WLOG ,Let x > y > z, then x + z > y, x + y > z.If y + z < x, then we are done because
(x + z y)(y z + x)(z x + y) 0 and xyz 0
Otherwise if y + z > x , then x, y, z are side lengths of a triangle ,and then we can make the substitution
x = m + n, y = n + t and z = t + m
Inequality is equivalent with
8mnt (m+ n)(n + t)(t +
m), this is true byAM-GM
m + n 2 mn, n + t 2 nt and t + m 2 tm, multiply and were done.

Problem 14 Korea 1998 (Endrit Fejzullahu): Let a, b, c > 0 and a + b + c = abc. Prove that:

1
a2

First Solution (Dimitris X): Setting a =

+1

1
1
3
+

2
2
+1
c +1

b2

1
1
1
, b = , c = the condition becomes xy + yz + zx = 1, and the
x
y
z

inequality:
X
x
3

2
2
x +1
X
Xr x
X
x
x
x

p
But
=
=
2
2
x+yx+z
x +1
x + xy + xz + zy
x
x
r
+
x
x
x+y x+z
But

x+yx+z
2
y
x
z
y
z
x
r
+
+
+
+
+
X
x
x
3
x+y x+y z+x z+x y+z
z+y
So

=
x+yx+z
2
2
Second Solution (Raghav Grover):
Substitute a = tan x,b = tan y and c = tan z where x + y + z =
And we are left to prove
cos x + cos y + cos z 32
Which i think is very well known..

Third Solution (Endrit Fejzullahu): By AM-GM we have a + b + c 3 3 abc and since a + b + c = abc =
(abc)2 27
We rewrite the given inequality
 as
1
1
1
1
1
+
+

3 a2 + 1 b2 + 1 c2 + 1
2

Since function f (a) =

is concave ,we apply Jensens inequality

+1



1
1
1
a+b+c
abc
1
1
f (a) + f (b) + f (c) f
=f
=q

(abc)2 27, QED

2
3
3
3
3
3
2
(abc)
+1
32
a2

Problem 15 (Dimitris X):

If a, b, c R and a2 + b2 + c2 = 3. Find the minimum value of A = ab + bc + ca 3(a + b + c).
First Solution (Endrit Fejzullahu):
(a + b + c)2 3
(a + b + c)2 a2 b2 c2
=
ab + bc + ca =
2
2
Let a + b + c = x
2
x
3
Then A =
3x
2
2
x2
3
We consider the second degree fuction f (x) =
3x
2
2
 
b
We obtain minimum for f
= f (3) = 6
2a
Then Amin = 6 ,it is attained for a = b = c = 1

Problem 16 (Endrit Fejzullahu): If a, b, c are positive real numbers such that a + b + c = 1.Prove
that
r
a
b
c
3

+
2
c+a
b+c
a+b
x
First Solution (keyree10): Let f (x) =
. f (x) > 0
1x
X
1
3s
a+b+c
a

= , by jensens.
Therefore,

,where s =
3
3
1a
1s r
b
3
a
c
+

. Hence proved
=
+
2
c+a
b+c
a+b
Second Solution (geniusbliss):
By
holders inequality,

X
X
X
a
a

a(b + c) (a + b + c)3
1
1
2
2
(b
+
c)
(b
+
c)
cyclic
cyclic
cyclic
thus,

cyclic

2
a
(b + c)

1
2

(a + b + c)2
3(ab + bc + ca)
3

=
2(ab + bc + ca)
2(ab + bc + ca)
2

or,
a
b
c

+
+

c+a
b+c
a+b

3
2

Third Solution (Redwane Khyaoui):

a
b
c
1
+
+
(a + b + c)
3
c
+
a
b+c
a+b

1
1
1
+
+
c
+
a
b+c
a+b

f (x) =

1
x

is a convex function, so jensens inequality gives:

1
1
=
LHS 3 q
3
2
(a
+
b
+
c)
3

3
2

Problem 17 (keyree10): If a, b, c are REALS such that a2 + b2 + c2 = 1 Prove that

a + b + c 2abc 2

First Solution (Popa Alexandru):

Use Cauchy-Schwartz:
LHS = a(1 2bc) + (b + c)

p
(a2 + (b + c)2 )((1 2bc)2 + 1)

So itll be enough to prove that :

(a2 + (b + c)2 )((1 2bc)2 + 1) 2 (1 + 2bc)(1 bc + 2b2 c2 ) 1 4b2 c2 1
which is true because
1 b2 + c2 2bc
done

Problem 18 (Popa Alexandru): Let x, y, z > 0 such that xyz = 1 . Show that:
x2 + y 2 + z 2 + x + y + z 2(xy + yz + zx)

First Solution (great math): To solve the problem of alex, we need Schur and Cauchy inequality as demonstrated as follow
p

3
a + b + c 3 abc = 3 (abc)2

9abc
2(ab + bc + ca) (a2 + b2 + c2 )
a+b+c

Note that we possess the another form of Schur such as

(a2 + b2 + c2 )(a + b + c) + 9abc 2(ab + bc + ca)(a + b + c)
Therefore, needless to say, we complete our proof here.

Problem 19 Hoang Quoc Viet (Hoang Quoc Viet): Let a, b, c be positive reals satisfying a2 + b2 + c2 = 3.
Prove that
(abc)2 (a3 + b3 + c3 ) 3

10

First Solution (Hoang Quoc Viet): Let

A = (abc)2 (a3 + b3 + c3 )
Therefore, we only need to maximize the following expression
A3 = (abc)6 (a3 + b3 + c3 )3
Using Cauchy inequality as follows, we get

3












1
A = 6 3a2 b 3a2 c 3b2 a 3b2 c 3c2 a 3c2 b a3 + b3 + c3
3
3

3(a2 + b2 + c2 )(a + b + c)
9

9

It is fairly straightforward that

a+b+c

3(a2 + b2 + c2 ) = 3

Therefore,
A3 33
which leads to A 3 as desired. The equality case happens a = b = c = 1
Second Solution (FantasyLover):
For the sake of convenience, let us introduce the new unknowns u, v, w as follows:
u=a+b+c
v = ab + bc + ca
w = abc
2


9 u2
.
2

Now note that u 2v = 3 and a + b + c = u(u 3v) = u



9 u2
2
We are to prove that w u
+ 3w 3.
2

a+b+c
u3
3
By AM-GM, we have abc
= w 3 .
3
3
2
u9
7 9u
+ 2 37 .
Hence, it suffices to prove that u
2
3
r
a+b+c
a2 + b2 + c2
However, by QM-AM we have

= u 3
3
3
6
2
7u (9 u )
differentiating, u achieves its maximum when
= 0.
2
Since a, b, c are positive, u cannot be 0, and the only possible value for u is 3.
Since u 3, the above inequality is true.

Problem 20 Murray Klamkin, IMO 1983 (Hassan Al-Sibyani): 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

11

First Solution (Popa Alexandru): Use Ravi substitution a = x + y , b = y + z , c = z + x then the

inequality becomes :
y2
z2
x2
+
+
x+y+z ,
y
z
x
true by Cauchy-Schwartz.
Second Solution (geniusbliss): we know from triangle inequality that b (a c) and c (b a) and
a (c b)
therefore,
a2 b(a b) + b2 c(b c) + c2 a(c a) a2 (a c)(a b) + b2 (b a)(b c) + c2 (c b)(c a) 0
and the last one is schurs inequality for r = 2 so proved with the equality holding when a = b = c or for
and equilateral triangle


Problem 21 Popa Alexandru (Popa Alexandru): Let x, y, z
1

xyz +


1 2
,
. Show that :
3 3

2
3(x + y + z)

First Solution (Endrit Fejzullahu):

By Am-Gm x + y + z 3 3 xyz ,then

2
2

+ 3 xyz 3 xyz + 3 xyz

3(x + y + z) 
 9
2
1 2
1

Since x, y, z
,
,then 3 xyz
3 3
3
3



2
1
2

2
3
Let a = xyz ,then a +
1 9a 9a + 2 0 9 a
a
0 ,were done since
9a
3
3
1
2
a
3
3

Problem 22 Endrit Fejzullahu (Endrit Fejzullahu): Let a, b, c be side lengths of a triangle,and is the
angle between a and c.Prove that

2 3c sin a
b2 + c2
>
a2
b+c

First Solution (Endrit Fejzullahu): According to the Weitzenbocks inequality we have

ac sin
a2 + b2 + c2 4 3S and S =
2
Then

2
2
2
b + c 2 3ac sin a ,dividing by a2 , we have
b2 + c2
2 3c sin a

2
a
a

b2 + c2
2 3c sin a
2 3c sin a
Since a < b + c =

>
a2
a
b+c

12

Problem 23 Dinu Serbanescu, Junior TST 2002, Romania (Hassan Al-Sibyani): If a, b, c (0, 1) Prove
that:
p

abc + (1 a)(1 b)(1 c) < 1

First Solution (FantasyLover):

 
.
Since a, b, c (0, 1), let us have a = sin2 A, b = sin2 B, c = sin2 C where A, B, C 0,
2
Then, we are to prove that sin A sin B sin C + cos A cos B cos C < 1.
Now noting that sin C, cos C < 1, we have sin A sin B sin C + cos A cos B cos C < sin A sin B + cos A cos B =
cos(A B) 1. 
Second Solution (Popa Alexandru): Cauchy-Schwartz and AM-GM works fine :
p
p

abc + (1 a) (1 b) (1 c) = a bc + 1 a (1 b) (1 c)
p
p
p
a + (1 a) bc + (1 b) (1 c) = bc + (1 b) (1 c) < 1

Third Solution (Redwane Khyaoui):

abc +

(1 a)(1 b)(1 c)

a + bc 1 a + (1 b)(1 c)
+
2
2

a + bc 1 a + (1 b)(1 c)
+
1
So we only need to prove that
2
2
1 1
+ 2 which is true since a, b [0, 1]
b
c

Problem 24 (FantasyLover): For all positive real numbers a, b, c, prove the following:
1
1
a+1

1
b+1

1
c+1

1
1
a

1
b

1
c

1
3

First Solution (Popa Alexandru): Using p, q, r substitution (p = a + b + c , q = ab + bc + ca , r = abc) the

inequality becomes :
9 + 3r
3(p + q + r + 1)

pq + 2q 2 6pr + 9r
2p + q + r
q
which is true because is well-known that pq 9r and q 2 3pr
Second Solution (Endrit Fejzullahu): After expanding the inequality is equivalent with :



1
1
1
1 1 1 1
1
1
1
+
+

+ +
+
+
a(a + 1) b(b + 1) c(c + 1)
3 a b
c
a+1 b+1 c+1
This is true by Chebyshevs inequality , so were done .

13

Problem 25 Mihai Opincariu (Popa Alexandru): Let a, b, c > 0 such that abc = 1 . Prove that :
a2

ab
bc
ca
+ 2
+
1
2
2
2
+ b + c b + c + a c + a2 + b

First Solution (FantasyLover):

We have a2 + b2 + c 2ab + c =
X
Hence, it suffices to prove that
2

2
c

c.

1
a

X
1
1.
=
2
+
a a
+
a
cyc a
cyc
Reducing to a common denominator, we prove that

X
1
4(a a + b b + c c) + ab ab + bc bc + ca ca + 12
=

2+a a
4(a a + b b + c c) + 2(ab ab + bc bc + ca ca) + 9
cyc
.

Rearranging, it remains to prove that ab ab + bc bc + ca

ca 3.
p

3
Applying AM-GM, we have ab ab + bc bc + ca ca 3 a2 b2 c2 a2 b2 c2 = 3, and we are done. 
Second Solution (Popa Alexandru):
LHS

X
cyc

X
X 1
ab
1
=
=
2+
2ab + c
2+c c
cyc
cyc

x
y

RHS

Problem 26 Korea 2006 First Examination (FantasyLover): x, y, z are real numbers satisfying the condition 3x + 2y + z = 1. Find the maximum value of
1
1
1
+
+
1 + |x| 1 + |y| 1 + |z|
.
First Solution (dgreenb801):
We can assume x,y, and z are all positive, because if one was negative we could just make it positive, which
would allow us to lessen the other two variables, making the whole sum larger.
Let 3x = a, 2y = b, z = c, then a + b + c = 1 and we have to maximize
2
1
3
+
+
a+3 b+2 c+1
Note that

 

3
3
1
a2 c + ac2 + 6ac + 6c
+1
+
=
0
a+c+3
a+3 c+1
(a + 3)(c + 1)(a + c + 3)
So for fixed a + c, the sum is maximized when c = 0.
We can apply the same reasoning to show the sum is maximized when b = 0.
11
So the maximum occurs when a = 1, b = 0, c = 0, and the sum is
.
4

14

Problem 27 Balkan Mathematical Olympiad 2006 (dgreenb801):

1
1
1
3
+
+

a(1 + b) b(1 + c) c(1 + a)

1 + abc
for all positive reals.

First Solution (Popa Alexandru):

AM-GM works :
(1 + abc) LHS + 3 =

X 1 + abc + a + ab
cyc

a + ab

X 1+a
X b(c + 1)

3
3
+

+ 3 abc 6
3
ab + a cyc b + 1
abc
cyc

Problem 28 Junior TST 2007, Romania (Popa Alexandru): Let a, b, c > 0 such that ab + bc + ca = 3.
Show that :
1
1
1
1
+
+

1 + a2 (b + c) 1 + b2 (c + a) 1 + c2 (a + b)
abc

First Solution (Endrit Fejzullahu): Since ab + bc + ca = 3 = abc 1

Then 1 + 3a abc 3a
Then


X
1
1 1 1 1
1
ab + bc + ca

+ +
=
=
1 + 3a abc
3 a b
c
3abc
abc

Problem 29 Lithuania 1987 (Endrit Fejzullahu): Let a, b, c be positive real numbers .Prove that
a3
b3
c3
a+b+c
+
+

2
2
2
2
2
2
a + ab + b
b + bc + c
c + ca + a
3

First Solution (dgreenb801): By Cauchy,

X
X
a3
a4
(a2 + b2 + c2 )2
=

a2 + ab + b2
a3 + a2 b + ab2
a3 + b3 + c3 + a2 b + ab2 + b2 c + bc2 + c2 a + ca2
a+b+c
This is
if
3
(a4 + b4 + c4 ) + 2(a2 b2 + b2 c2 + c2 a2 ) (a3 b + a3 c + b3 a + b3 c + c3 a + c3 b) + (a2 bc + ab2 c + abc2 )
This is equivalent to
(a2 + b2 + c2 )(a2 + b2 + c2 ab bc ca) 0
Which is true as a2 + b2 + c2 ab bc ca 0 (a b)2 + (b c)2 + (c a)2 0
Second Solution (Popa Alexandru):
Since :
a2

a3 b3
=ab
+ ab + b2

15

and similars we get :

X
cyc

X
b3
1 X a3 + b3
a3
=
=
.
a2 + ab + b2
a2 + ab + b2
2 cyc a2 + ab + b2
cyc

Now it remains to prove :

1
a+b
a3 + b3

2
2 a + ab + b2
6
which is trivial .

Problem 30 (dgreenb801): Given ab + bc + ca = 1 Show that:

3a2 +b2
ab

3b2 +c2
bc

3c2 +a2
ca

6 3

First Solution (Hoang Quoc Viet):

Lets make use of Cauchy-Schwarz as demonstrated as follows
p
(3a2 + b2 )(3 + 1)
3a + b

2ab
2ab
Thus, we have the following estimations

X
cyc

3a2 + b2
2
ab

Finally, we got to prove that

1 1 1
+ +
a b
c

X1

3 3
a
cyc

However, from the given condition, we derive

1
abc
3 3
and

r
X1

1
3
3
3 3
a
abc
cyc

Problem 31 Komal Magazine (Hoang Quoc Viet): Let a, b, c be real numbers. Prove that the following inequality holds
(a2 + 2)(b2 + 2)(c2 + 2) 3(a + b + c)2

First Solution (Popa Alexandru): Cauchy-Schwartz gives :

1
3
(a2 + 2)(b2 + 2) = (a2 + 1)(1 + b2 ) + a2 + b2 + 3 (a + b)2 + (a + b)2 + 3 = ((a + b)2 + 2)
2
2
And Cauchy-Schwartz again
(a2 + 2)(b2 + 2)(c2 + 2)

3
3
((a + b)2 + 2)(2 + c2 ) ( 2(a + b) + 2c)2 = RHS
2
2

16

Problem 32 mateforum.ro (Popa Alexandru): Let a, b, c 0 and a + b + c = 1 . Prove that :

b2

b
c
1
a
+
+

2
2
1 + 3abc
+ 3c
c + 3a
a + 3b

First Solution (Endrit Fejzullahu):

Using Holders inequality
!2
X
X
a

a(b2 + 3c) (a + b + c)3 = 1

2 + 3c
b
cyc
cyc
It is enoughX
to prove that
1 + 3abc
a(b2 + 3c)
cyc

Homogenise (a + b + c)3 =
1,
X
X
Also after Homogenising
a(b2 + 3c) = a2 b + b2 c + c2 a + 9abc + 3
a2 b
3

cyc
3

(a + b + c) = a + b + c + 6abc + 3

sym

a b

sym

It is enough to prove that

a3 + b3 + c3 a2 b + b2 c + c2 a
By AM-GM
a3 + a3 + b3 3a2 b
b3 + b3 + c3 3b2 c
c3 + c3 + a3 3c2 a
Then a3 + b3 + c3 a2 b + b2 c + c2 a ,done
Second Solution (manlio):
by holder.
P
P
(LHS)2 ( a(b2 + ac) ( a)3
so it suffices to prove
1
1
P

a(b2 + 3c)
1 + 3abc
that
P 3is P 2
a
ab true by AM-GM
Third Solution (Apartim De):
f (t) = 1t ; f 0 (t) < 0; f 00 (t) > 0
Using Jensen with weights a, b, c, we have
af (b2 + 3c) + bf (c2 + 3a) + cf (a2 + 3b) f (ab2 + bc2 + ca2 + 3ab + 3bc + 3ca)
Now,
p
By Holder, (a3 + b3 + c3 ) = 3 (a3 + b3 + c3 )(b3 + c3 + a3 )(b3 + c3 + a3 ) ab2 + bc2 + ca2
Again,
P 2
3(a + b)(b + c)(c + a) + 3abc = 9abc + 3
a b = 3(a + b + c)(ab + bc + ca) = 3(ab + bc + ca)
sym

1 + 3abc = (a + b + c)3 + 3abc > ab2 + bc2 + ca2 + 3ab + 3bc + 3ca
f (ab2 + bc2 + ca2 + 3ab + 3bc + 3ca) > f (1 + 3abc)
QED

17

Problem 33 Apartim De (Apartim De): If a, b, c, d be positive reals then prove that:

s
a2 + b2
b2 + c 2
c2 + d2
54a
+
+
3
2
2
2
ab + b
bc + c
cd + d
(a + d)

First Solution (Agr 94 Math):

( a )2 + 1
Write the LHS as ba
+ two other similar termsfeel lazy to write them down. This is a beautiful appli(b) + 1

2
t1
t2 + 1
0.
is convex since
cation of Jensens as the function for positve real t such that f (t) =
t+1
t+1
 P a d 2
(
ba
+1
3
Thus, we get that LHS P a d
b a +3
a b
c
I would like to write + + = K for my convenience with latexing.
c d

b
K 2
9
)
+
1
K
+K
6
=

so we have 3
3
3
K +3
1+ K
1+ K
9
This is from K +
6 by AM GM.
K
  13
Xa d
d
by AM GM.
Now K =
3
b
a
a

1
1
1
6
6a 3
3a 3
54a 3
Thus, we have

=
1
1
1
3
a+d
a+d 3
1+ K
a3 + d3
2

Problem 34 (Raghav Grover): If a and b are non negative real numbers such that a b. Prove
that
1
a+
3
b(a b)

First Solution (Dimitris X):

If a 3 the problem is obviously true.
Now for a < 3 we have :
a2 b ab2 3ab + 3b2 + 1 0 ba2 (b2 + 3b)a + 3b2 + 1 0
It suffices to prove that D 0 b4 + 6b3 + 9b2 12b3 4b b(b 1)2 (b 4) 0 which is true.

Second Solution (dgreenb801):

1
1
a+
= b + (a b) +
3 by AM-GM
b(a b)
b(a b)
Third Solution (geniusbliss):
p
since a b we have a2 b(a b) square this and substitute in this denominator we get,
a a
4
+ +
3 by AM-GM so done.
2 2 a2

18

Problem 35 Vasile Cirtoaje (Dimitris X):

(a2 bc) b + c + (b2 ca) c + a + (c2 ab) a + b 0

2
First Solution (Popa Alexandru): Denote a+b
2 = x , ... , then the inequality becomes :
X
X
xy(x3 + y 3 )
x2 y 2 (x + y)
cyc

cyc

which is equivalent with :

X

xy(x + y)(x y)2 0

cyc

Problem 36 Cezar Lupu (Popa Alexandru): Let a, b, c > 0 such that

abc

1
a

1
b

1
c

abc. Prove that:

3(a + b + c)

First Solution(Endrit Fejzullahu):

1
1
1
abc ab + bc + ca = abc abc
a + b + c =
By Am-Gm
(ab + bc + ca)2 3abc(a + b+ c)
Since ab + bc + ca = abc abc, wehave
p
(abc) 3 3abc(a + b + c) = abc 3(a + b + c)

Problem 37 Pham Kim Hung (Endrit Fejzullahu): Let a, b, c, d be positive real numbers satisfying
a + b + c + d = 4.Prove that
1
1
1
1
1
+
+
+

2
2
2
2
11 + a
11 + b
11 + c
11 + d
3

First Solution (Apartim De):

6(x2 11
1
00
3 )
f (x) =

f
(x)
=
2
2
3
11 + x
(11 + x )!
r !
r
11
11
11
(x2 ) = x
x+
3
3
3
r
r !
11
11
If x
,
, f 00 (x) < 0
3
3

19

r
Thus within the interval

11
,
3

11
3

!
, the quadratic polynomial is negative
r

00

thereby making f (x) < 0, and thus f (x) is concave within

r
Let a b c d . If all of a, b, c, d

0,

11
3

Then by Jensen, f (a) + f (b) + f (c) + f (d) 4f

2x
3

(11 + x2 )

11
3

!
.

!
,


f 0 (x) =

11
,
3

a+b+c+d
4


= 4f (1) =

4
1
=
12
3

< 0 (for all positive x)

r

At most 2 of a, b, c, d(namely c& d) can be greater than

11
3

In that case,

f (a) + f (b) + f (c) + f (d) < f (a 1) + f (b 1) + f (c 3) + f (d 3) < 4f

a+b+c+d8
4


= 4f (1) =

QED

Problem 38 Crux Mathematicorum (Apartim De): Let R, r, s be the circumradius, inradius, and
semiperimeter, respectively, of an acute-angled triangle. Prove or disprove that
s2 2R2 + 8Rr + 3r2
.
When does equality occur?

First Solution (Virgil Nicula):

2



a + b2 + c2 = 2 p2 r2 4Rr (1)








2
2
2

4S = b + c a tan A
(2)


. ThereProof. Ill use the remarkable linear-angled identities


sin 2A + sin 2B + sin 2C = 2S2
(3)


R




cos A + cos B + cos C = 1 + r
(4)
R
fore,

2
P
2
X
X
X cos A
X cos2 A C.B.S.


1 + Rr
( cos A) (3)(4)
2
2
2
2 (2)
a =
b +c a
= 4S
= 8S
8S P
= 8S
=
2S
sin A
sin 2A
sin 2A
R2


(1)
= 4(R+r)2 = a2 + b2 + c2 4(R + r)2 = 2 p2 r2 4Rr 4(R+r)2 = p2 2R2 + 8Rr + 3r2 .

Problem 39 Russia 1978 (Endrit Fejzullahu): Let 0 < a < b and xi [a, b].Prove that


1
1
1
n2 (a + b)2
(x1 + x2 + ... + xn )
+
+ ... +

x1
x2
xn
4ab

20

4
1
=
12
3

First Solution (Popa Alexandru):

We will prove that if a1 , a2 , . . . , an [a, b](0 < a < b) then


1
1
1
(a + b)2 2
(a1 + a2 + + an )
+
+ +

n
a1
a2
an
4ab


 

1
1
1
a1
a2
an  c
c
c
P = (a1 + a2 + + an )
+
+ +
=
+
+ +
+
+ +

a1
a2
an
c
c
c
a1
a2
an

2
c
a2
c
an
c
1 a1
+
+
+
+ +
+

4 c
a1
c
a2
c
an

c t
Function f (t) = + have its maximum on [a, b] in a or b. We will choose c such that f (a) = f (b), c = ab.
c
r t r
a
b
Then f (t)
+
. Then
b
a
P n

a
+
b

b
b
a

!2

1
(a + b)2
= n2
4
4ab

Problem 40 (keyree10): a, b, c are non-negative reals. Prove that

81abc (a2 + b2 + c2 ) (a + b + c)5

First Solution (Popa Alexandru):

81abc(a2 + b2 + c2 ) 27

(ab + bc + ca)2 2
(a + b2 + c2 ) (a + b + c)5
a+b+c

By p,q,r the last one is equivalent with :

p6 27q 2 p2 + 54q 3 0 (p2 3q)2 0

Problem 41 mateforum.ro (Popa Alexandru): Let a, b, c > 0 such that a3 + b3 + 3c = 5 . Prove that :
r
r
r
a+b
b+c
c+a
1 1 1
+
+
+ +
2c
2a
2b
a b
c

First Solution (Sayan Mukherjee):

a3 + 1 + 1 +b3 + 1 + 1+ 3c = 9 3a + 3b + 3c = a + b + c 3(AM-GM)
a+b+c
Also abc
= 1(AM-GM)
3

21

Applying CS on the LHS;

"
#2
r
X 
X a+b
1
(a + b + c)
2c
a
X1 X
It is left to prove that

a
a
X1
But this =
3
a
Which is perfextly
true,
as from AM-GM on the LHS;
r
X1
1
3
3
3 [ abc 1]
a
abc

Problem 42 (Sayan Mukherjee): Let a, b, c > 0 PT: If a, b, c satisfy

ways have:
X

1
1
=
Then we ala2 + 1
2

1
1

a3 + 2
3

First Solution (Endrit Fejzullahu):

a3 + a3 + 1 3a2 = a3 + a3 + 1 + 3 3a2 + 3 =

1
1
1 X 1

3(a2 + 1)
2(a3 + 2)
3
a3 + 2

Problem 43 Russia 2002 (Endrit Fejzullahu): Let a, b, c be positive real numbers with sum 3.Prove
that

a + b + c ab + bc + ca

First Solution (Sayan Mukherjee):

2(ab + bc + ca) = 9 (a2 + b2 + c2 )
as a + X
b + c = 9. Hence the inequality

a 9 (a2 + b2 + c2 )
= 2
X

=
(a2 + a + a) 9
Perfectly
true
from AGM as :
a2 + a + a 3a

Problem 44 India 2002 (Raghav Grover): For any natural number n prove that
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
+ 2
+ .... + 2
+
2
n +1 n +2
n +n
2 2n

22

First Solution (Sayan Mukherjee):

Pn
n
n
X
X
k
3(n2 + n)
k
1
k2
k=1 P
P
=

=
>
n
n
2
2
2
2
2
2
n +k
n k+k
2(3n + 2n + 1)
2
n
k=1 k +
k=1 k
k=1

k=1

As it is equivalent to :3n2 + 3n > 3n2 + 2n + 1 = n > 1

For the 2nd part;
X
X 1
X k
X 1
n2
=
1 2
= n n2
and then use AM-HM for
So we get the desired
2
2
n +k
n +k
n +k
n2 + k
result.

Problem 45 (Sayan Mukherjee): For a, b, c > 0; a2 + b2 + c2 = 1 find Pmin if:

P =

X a2 b2
cyc

c2

First Solution (Endrit Fejzullahu):

ab
bc
ca
Let x = , y = andz =
c
a
b
Then Obviously By Am-Gm
x2 + y 2 + z 2 xy + yz + zx = a2 + b2 + c2 = 1 ,then Pmin = 1

Problem 46 (Endrit Fejzullahu): Let a, b, c be positive real numbers such that a + b + c = 3 .Prove
that
a2
b2
c2
+
+
1
a + 2b2
b + 2c2
c + 2a2

First Solution (Popa Alexandru): We start with a nice use of AM-GM :

a2
a2 + 2ab2 2ab2
a(a + 2b2 )
2ab2
2
3
=
=

a
a2 b2
2
2
2
2
a + 2b
a + 2b
a + 2b
a + 2b
3
Suming the similars we need to prove :

a 2 b2 +

b2 c 2 +

c2 a2 3

By AM-GM :
X
3
cyc

a2 b2

X 2ab + 1
cyc

1
=
3

!
2

ab + 3

3 ab + bc + ca 3 3(ab + bc + ca) (a + b + c)2

cyc

Problem 47 mateforum.ro (Popa Alexandru): Let a, b, c > 0 such that a + b + c

:
a
b
c
a
b
c
+
+

+
+
b+c c+a a+b
(b + c)2
(c + a)2
(a + b)2

23

3
2

. Prove that

First Solution:
WLOG a b c
Then By Chebyshevs
 inequality we have 
1
1
1
1
+
+
RHS LHS
3
a+b b+c c+a
It is enough to show that
1
1
1
+
+
3
a+b b+c c+a
By Cauchy Schwartz
1
1
1
9
3
+
+

3 a + b + c , done
a+b b+c c+a
2(a + b + c)
2

Problem 48 USAMO 2003 (Hassan Al-Sibyani): Let a, b, c be positive real numbers. Prove that:
(2b + a + c)2
(2c + a + b)2
(2a + b + c)2
+
+
8
2a2 + (b + c)2
2b2 + (a + c)2
2c2 + (a + b)2

First Solution (Popa Alexandru):

Suppose a + b + c = 3
The inequality is equivalent with :
(a + 3)2
(b + 3)2
(c + 3)2
+ 2
+ 2
8
2
2
+ (3 a)
2b + (3 b)
2c + (3 c)2

2a2
For this we prove :

(a + 3)2
4
4
a + 3(4a + 3)(a 1)2 0
+ (3 a)2
3
3

2a2
done.

Problem 49 Marius Mainea (Popa Alexandru): 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

First Solution (socrates): Using Cauchy-Schwarz and AM-GM inequality we have:

x+y y+z
z+x
(x + y)2
(y + z)2
(z + x)2
((x + y) + (y + z) + (z + x))2
P
+
+
=
+
+

=
2
2
2
2
2
2
1+z
1+x 1+y
x + y + (x + y)z
y + z + (y + z)x z + x + (z + x)y
2(x + y + z) + x2 (y + z)
4(x + y + z)2
4(x + y + z)2
27
1
27
P 2
= Q
4(x + y + z)2
=
3
2xyz + x (y + z)
(x + y)
8 (x + y + z)
2xyz

24

Problem 50 (socrates): 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

2+1=
2 + ab + bc + ca =
First Solution (dgreenb801):
Note
that
a
a
(a + b)(a + c)
p
2
Also, by Cauchy, (a + (a + b)(a + c)) (a + (a + b))(a + (a + c)) = (2a + b)(2a + c)
So after squaring both sides of the inequality, we have to show
1 = (ab + bc + ca)6 a2 b2 c2 (2a + b)(2a + c)(2b + a)(2b + c)(2c + a)(2c + b) =
(2ac + bc)(2ab + bc)(2bc + ac)(2ab + ac)(2cb + ab)(2ca + ab)
, which is true by AM-GM.

Problem 51 Asian Pacific Mathematics Olympiad (dgreenb801): Let a, b, c > 0 such that abc = 8.
Prove that:
a2
b2
c2
4
p
+p
+p

3
(1 + a3 )(1 + b3 )
(1 + b3 )(1 + c3 )
(1 + c3 )(1 + a3 )
First Solution (Popa Alexandru): By AM-GM :
p
Then we have :
X
cyc

a3 + 1

a2 + 2
.
2

X
a2
a2
p
4
(a2 + 2) (b2 + 2)
(a3 + 1) (b3 + 1)
cyc

So we need to prove
X
cyc

a2
1
.
2
2
(a + 2) (b + 2)
3

which is equivalent with :

a2 b2 + b2 c2 + c2 a2 + 2(a2 + b2 + c2 ) 72.
, true by AM-GM

Problem 52 Lucian Petrescu (Popa Alexandru): Prove that in any acute-angled triangle ABC we have :
a+b
b+c
c+a
+
+
4(a + b + c)
cos C
cos A cos B

First Solution (socrates): The inequality can be rewritten as

ab(a + b)
bc(b + c)
ca(c + a)
+ 2
+ 2
2(a + b + c)
2
2
2
2
+b c
b +c a
c + a2 b2

a2

25

or
X

a(

cyclic

a2

c2
b2
+ 2
) 2(a + b + c)
2
2
+b c
c + a2 b2

Applying Cauchy Schwarz inequality we get

X

a(

cyclic

a2

X
b2
c2
(b + c)2
+ 2
)
a 2
2
2
2
2
2
+b c
c +a b
(a + b c2 ) + (c2 + a2 b2 )

or
X

a(

cyclic

a2

X (b + c)2
c2
b2
+ 2
)
2
2
2
2
+b c
c +a b
2a

So, it is enough to prove that

X (b + c)2
2a

2(a + b + c)

which is just CS as above.

Second Solution (Mateescu Constantin):
From the law of cosinus we have a = b cos C + c cos Band c = b cos A + a cos B .
a+c
b(cos A + cos C)
=
=a+c+
= a + c + 2R tan B(cos A + cos C) . Then:
B
cosX
B
X acos
+c
= 2(a + b + c) + 2R
tan B (cos A + cos C) and the inequality becomes:
cos B
X
X
X
2R
tan B(cos A + cos C) 2
a = 4R
sin A
X
X
X
X

tan B cos A +
tan B cos C 2
sin A = 2
tan A cos A
Wlog
assume
that
A

C
.
Then
cos
A

cos
B

cos
C and tan A tan B tan C, so
X
X
P
P
tan A cos A
tan B cos A and
tan A cos A tan B cos C, according to rearrangement inequality
.
Adding up these 2 inequalities yields the conclusion.
Third Solution (Popa Alexandru):
LHS

(2(a + b + c))2
= 4(a + b + c)
(a + b) cos C + (b + c) cos A + (c + a) cos B

Problem 53 (socrates): Given x1 , x2 , .., xn > 0 such that

n
X
i=1

n
X
xi + n
i=1

1 + x2i

n2

First Solution (Hoang Quoc Viet):

Without loss of generality, we may assume that
x1 x2 xn

26

xi = 1, prove that

Therefore, we have
nx1 1 nx2 1 nxn 1
and

x2
xn
x1
2
2
x21 + 1
x2 + 1
xn + 1

Hence, by Chebyshev inequality, we get

n
X
(nxi 1)xi
i=1

x2i + 1

# n
!
"
!
n
X
X xi
1

n
xi n
=0
n
x2 + 1
i=1
i=1 i

Thus, we get the desired result, which is

n
X
xi + n
i=1

1 + x2i

n2

Problem 54 Hoang Quoc Viet (Hoang Quoc Viet): Let a, b, c be positive reals satisfying a2 + b2 + c2 = 3.
Prove that
a3
b3
c3
+ 2
+ 2
1
2
2
2
2b + c
2c + a
2a + b2

First Solution (Hoang Quoc Viet):

Using Cauchy Schwartz, we get
X
cyc

a3
(a2 + b2 + c2 )2
P
P

2b2 + c2
2 cyc ab2 + cyc ac2

Hence, it suffices to prove that

ab2 + bc2 + ca2 3
and
a2 b + b2 c + c2 a 3
However, applying Cauchy Schwartz again, we obtain
p
a(ab) + b(bc) + c(ca) (a2 + b2 + c2 ) ((ab)2 + (bc)2 + (ca)2 )
In addition to that, we have
(ab)2 + (bc)2 + (ca)2

(a2 + b2 + c2 )2
3

Hence, we complete our proof.

Problem 55 Iran 1998 (saif): Let x, y, z > 1 such that

x+y+z

x1+

27

1
x

1
y

x1+

1
z

= 2 prove that:

z1

First Solution (beautifulliar):

Note that you can substitute x 1 = a, y 1 = b, z 1 = c then you need to prove that a2 + b2 + c2 + 3
1
1
1
a + b + c while you have 2
+
+
= 2 or equivalently a2 b2 + b2 c2 + c2 a2 + 2a2 b2 c2 = 1. next,
a + 1 b2 + 1 c2 + 1
substitute ab = cos x, bc = cos y, ca = cos z where x, y, z are angles of triangle. since you need to prove that

3
a2 + b2 + c2 + 3 a+b+c then you only need to prove that 3 2(ab+bc+ca) or cos x+cos B +cos C
2
which is trivial.
Second Solution (Sayan Mukherjee):
Xx1
1
1 1
+ + = 2 =
=1
x y z
x
2
X x 1 X
x 1 (From CS)
Hence (x + y + z)

X x

= x + y + z
x1

Problem 56 IMO 1998 (saif): Let a1 , a2 , ..., an > 0 such that a1 + a2 + ... + an < 1. prove that
1
a1 .a2 ...an (1 a1 a2 ... an )
n1
(a1 + a2 + ... + an )(1 a1 )(1 a2 )...(1 an )
n

First Solution (beautifulliar):

1
a1 a2 . . . an an+1
n+1 (it should be
(1 a1 )(1 a2 ) . . . (1 an )
n

nn+1 right?) which follows from am-gm a1 + a2 + + an n n a1 a2 . . . an , a2 + a3 + + an+1

n n a2 a3 . . . an+1 , a1 + a3 + + an+1 n n a1 a3 . . . an+1 , and so on... you will find it easy.

Let an+1 = 1 a1 a2 an the we arrive at

Problem 57 (beautifulliar): Let n be a positive integer. If x1 , x2 , . . . , xn are real numbers such

that x1 + x2 + + xn = 0 and also y = max{x1 , x2 , . . . , xn } and also z = min{x1 , x2 , . . . , xn }, prove that
x21 + x22 + + x2n + nyz 0

First Solution (socrates):

(xi y)(xi z) 0 i = 1, 2, ..., n so

n
X
i=1

(x2i + yz)

n
X

(y + z)xi = 0 and the conclusion follows.

i=1

Problem 58 Pham Kim Hung (Endrit Fejzullahu): Suppose that x, y, z are positive real numbers and
x5 + y 5 + z 5 = 3.Prove that
x4
y4
z4
+ 3 + 3 3
3
y
z
x

28

First Solution (Popa Alexandru):

By a nice use of AM-GM we have :
 4
p

y4
z4
x
19
19
+ 3 + 3 + 3(x5 + y 5 + z 5 )2 19( x100 + 19 y 100 + z 100 )
10
3
y
z
x
So it remains to prove :

3 + 19(

19

x100 +

19

y 100 +

19

z 100 ) 20(x5 + y 5 + z 5 )

which is true by AM-GM .

Problem 59 China 2003 (bokagadha): x, y, and z are positive real numbers such that x + y + z = xyz.
Find the minimum value of:
x7 (yz 1) + y 7 (xz 1) + z 7 (xy 1)

First Solution (Popa Alexandru):

By AM-GM and the condition you get

xyz 3 3

Also observe that the condition is equivalent with

yz 1 =
So the

y+z
x

LHS = x6 (y + z) + y 6 (z + x) + z 6 (x + y) 6 6 x14 y 14 z 14 216 3

Problem 60 Austria 1990 (Rofler):

v s
u
r q
u

t
2 3 4 ... N < 3 N N2

r q
p
First Solution (Brut3Forc3): We prove the generalization m (m + 1) . . . N < m + 1, for m + 2.

For m = N , this isrequivalent to N < N + 1, which is clearly true. We now induct from m = N
q

down. Assume that (k + 1) (k + 2) . . . N < k + 2. Multiplying by k and taking the square root gives
r q
p
p
k (k + 1) . . . N < k(k + 2) < k + 1, completing the induction.

Problem 61 Tran Quoc Anh (Sayan Mukherjee): Given a, b, c 0 Prove that:

r
X
a+b
3

2 + 4bc + c2
b
a
+
b+c
cyc

29

First Solution (Hoang Quoc Viet): Using Cauchy inequality, we get

s
s
r
X 2(a + b)
X
X
a+b
8

36
2
2
2
b + 4bc + c
3(b + c)
27(a + b)(b + c)(c + a)
cyc
cyc
cyc
However, we have
(a + b)(b + c)(c + a)

8(a + b + c)3
27

Hence, we complete our proof here.

Problem 62 Popa Alexandru (Popa Alexandru): Let a, b, c > 0 such that a + b + c = 1 . Show that
:
a2 + ab b2 + bc c2 + ca
3
+
+

1 a2
1 b2
1 c2
4

First Solution (Endrit Fejzullahu): Let a + b = x , b + c = y , c + a = z ,given inequality becomes

Xx
y

x
9

x+y
2

Then By Cauchy Schwartz

LHS =

Xx
cyc

X
cyc

P
P
( x)4
8( x)4
9
x
P
P 2 P
P 2 2
P
x+y
( xy)( xy + x )
( xy + ( x) )
2

Second Solution (Hoang Quoc Viet): Without too many technical terms, we have
!
Xx+y X x
X rx
+

3
4y
x+y
y
cyc
cyc
cyc
Therefore, it is sufficient to check that

Xx
cyc

which is Cauchy inequality for 3 positive reals.

Problem 63 India 2007 (Sayan Mukherjee): For positive reals a, b, c. Prove that:
(a + b + c)2 (ab + bc + ca)2 3(a2 + ab + b2 )(b2 + bc + c2 )(c2 + ac + a2 )

First Solution (Endrit Fejzullahu): Ive got an SOS representation of :

RHS LHS =

1
((x+y +z)2 (x2 y 2 +y 2 z 2 +z 2 x2 xyz(x+y +z))+(xy +yz +zx)(x2 +y 2 +z 2 xy yz zx))
2

30

So I may assume that the inequality is true for reals

Problem 64 Popa Alexandru (Endrit Fejzullahu): Let a, b, c > 0 such that (a + b)(b + c)(c + a) = 1
. Show that :
3
2
16abc
a+b+c
16abc
3
3
(a + b)(b + c)(c + a)
1
2
16
First Solution (Apartim De): By AM-GM,
abc
abc

abc By
8
8
3
3
AM-GM,
(a + b) + (b + c) + (c + a) 3
2
3
(a + b + c) >
2
3

Lemma:We have for any positive reals x, y, z and vectors M A, M B, M C



2
xM A + y M B + z M C 0


(x + y + z)(xM A2 + yM B 2 + zM C 2 ) xyAB 2 + yzBC 2 + zxCA2
Now taking x = y = z = 1 and M to be the circumcenter of the triangle with sides p, q, r such that pqr = 1
, and the area of the triangle=, we have by the above lemma,
2
9R2 p2 + q 2 + r2 3 (pqr) 3 = 3 3R2 1 162 3
(p + q + r)(p + q r)(q + r p)(r + p q) 3
Now plugging in the famous Ravi substitution i.e,
p = (a + b); q = (b + c); r = (c + a)
3
(a + b + c)
16abc
Problem 65 IMO 1988 shortlist (Apartim De): In the plane of the acute angled triangle ABC, L
is a line such that u, v, w are the lengths of the perpendiculars from A, B, C respectively to L. Prove that
u2 tan A + v 2 tan B + w2 tan C 2
where is the area of the triangle.
First Solution (Hassan Al-Sibyani): Consider a Cartesian system with the x-axis on the line BC and origin
at the foot of the perpendicular from A to BC, so that A lies on the y-axis. Let A be (0, ), B(, 0), C(, 0),
where , , > 0 (because ABC is acute-angled). Then

tan B =

tan C =

( + )
tan A = tan(B + C) = 2

here tan A > 0,so 2 > . Let L have equation x cos + y sin + p = 0
Then
u2 tan A + v 2 tan B + w2 tan C
( + )

= 2
( sin + p)2 + ( cos + p)2 + ( cos + p)2

(
+
)
( + ) 2
= 2 sin2 + 2p sin + p2 ) 2
+ ( + ) cos2 +
p

( + )
=
(2 p2 + 2p sin + 2 sin2 + (2 ) cos2 )
(2 )

31

( + )
[(p + sin )2 + (2 )] ( + ) = 2
(2 )
with equality when p + sin = 0, i.e., if and only if L passes through (0, /), which is the orthocenter
of the triangle.

Problem 66 (Hassan Al-Sibyani): For positive real number a, b, c such that abc 1, Prove that:
c
a b
+ + a+b+c
b
c a

First Solution (Endrit Fejzullahu): It is easy to prove that

a b
c
a+b+c
+ +
3
b
c a
abc
and since abc 1 then

a
b

b
c

c
a

a + b + c ,as desired .

Problem 67 Endrit Fejzullahu (Endrit Fejzullahu): Let a, b, c, d be positive real numbers such that
a + b + c + d = 4.Find the minimal value of :
X
cyc

a4
(b + 1)(c + 1)(d + 1)

First Solution (Sayan Mukherjee): From AM-GM,

 X 
X
4a
a4
b+1 c+1 d+1
+
+
+

P =
(b + 1)(c + 1)(d + 1)
16
16
16
8
cyc
cyc
=

X
cyc

So Pmin =


a4
3
3
a+b+c+d
(a + b + c + d) 4

(b + 1)(c + 1)(d + 1)
2
16
16


X
a4
4 6
3
1

=2 =
(b
+
1)(c
+
1)(d
+
1)
2
4
2
2
cyc

1
2

Problem 68 (Sayan Mukherjee): Prove that

X
cyc

x
1
1 x, y, z 0
7 + z3 + y3
3

32

First Solution (Toang Huc Khein):

X
X
X
x
x
x
1

= because x3 + y 3 + z 3 + 6 3(x + y + z)
3
3
3
3
3
7
+
y
+
z
6
+
x
+
y
+
z
3(x
+
y
+
z)
3
X
(x 1)2 (x + 2) 0

Problem 69 Marius Maine (Toang Huc Khein): Let x, y, z > 0 with x + y + z = 1 . Then :
y 2 zx z 2 xy
x2 yz
+
+ 2
0
x2 + x
y2 + y
z +z

First Solution (Endrit Fejzullahu):

x + yz
x2 yz
=1 2
x2 + x
x +x
Inequality is equivalent with :

X x + yz
x2 + x

cyc

X x + yz
cyc

x2

+x

X
cyc

X yz
1
+
x + 1 cyc x2 + x

By Cauchy-Schwarz inequality
X
cyc

1
9

x+1
4

And
X
cyc

(xy + yz + zx)2
(xy + yz + zx)2
3
yz

(xy + yz + zx)2 3xyz

x2 + x
x2 yz + y 2 xz + z 2 xy + 3xyz
4xyz
4

This is true since x + y + z = 1 and (xy + yz + zx)2 3xyz(x + y + z)

Second Solution (Endrit Fejzullahu): Let us observe that by Cauchy-Schwartz we have :
X x + yz
cyc

x2 + x

X x(x + y + z) + yz
cyc

x(x + 1)

X (x + y)(x + z)
X
=
x(x + y + x + z)
cyc
cyc

x
x+y

1
+

x
x+z

(1 + 1 + 1)2
9
= =3
3
3

Then we can conclude that :

LHS =

X x2 + x
cyc

x2

+x

X x + yz
cyc

x2 + x

33=0

Problem 70 Claudiu Mandrila (Endrit Fejzullahu): Let a, b, c > 0 such that abc = 1. Prove that :
a10
b10
c10
a7
b7
c7
+
+
7
+
+
b+c c+a a+b
b + c7
c7 + a7
a7 + b7

33

First Solution (Sayan Mukherjee): Since abc = 1 so, we have:

X
X
X a10
a7
=

3
3
b+c
b c (b + c)

1
64 (b

a7
+ c)6 (b + c)

So we are only required to prove that: (b + c)7 26 b7 + 26 c7

But, from Holder;
6
1
(b7 + c7 ) 7 (1 + 1) 7 b + c Hence we are done

Problem 71 Hojoo Lee, Crux Mathematicorum (Sayan Mukherjee): Let a, b, c R+ ;Prove that:
2 3
9(a + b + c)2
33
(a + b3 + c3 ) + 2
abc
a + b2 + c2

First Solution (Endrit Fejzullahu): Inequality is equivalent with :

(a + b + c)(a2 + b2 + c2 ) 9abc (a b)2 + (b c)2 + (c a)2 0

34