TOPIC : INEQUALITY

LEVEL 1
1. Show that n n  1.3,......, ( 2n − 1)

Sol: Consider the numbers 1,3,5 … (2n-1)

1 + 3 + 5 + ... + ( 2n − 1) n
 1.3.5.... ( 2n − 1)
n

n
 2 + 2n − 2
 2  n 1.3.5.... ( 2n − 1)
n

(n)  1.3.5..... ( 2n − 1)
n

2. Find the minimum value of 2x + y subject to the condition xy = 8, x and y  R+

Sol Applying A.M. – G.M. inequality
2x + y
 2x, y
2
2x + y
 2.8
2
2x + y
4
2
2x + y  8

 Minimum value of 2x + y = 8
3. Let a, b, c be real numbers with 0 < a < 1,0 < b < 1, 0 < c < 1 and a + b + c = 2
a b c
Prove that . . 8
1− a 1− b 1− c
Sol If x, y, z are positive, then

x + y  2 xy, y + z  2 yz, z + x  2 zx
  ( x + y )( y + z )( z + x )  8xyz

Thus, 8 (1 − a )(1 − b )(1 − c )  (1 − a + 1 − b )(1 − b + 1 − c )(1 − c + a − a ) 

8 (1 − a )(1 − b )(1 − c )  ( 2 − a − b )( 2 − b − c )( 2 − c − a )  cab

a b c
 . . 8
1− a 1− b 1− c
1
4. If a, b, c are three numbers >0, Such that a + b + c = 1 prove that ab + bc + ca 
3
a 2 + b 2  2ab 

Sol Now b 2 + c 2  2bc 
c 2 + a 2  2ca 

 a 2 + b2 + c 2  ab + bc + ca

 (a + b + c) − 2 ( ab + bc + ca )  ab + bc + ca
2

i.e., 1  3 ( ab + bc + ca )

1
 ab + bc + ca 
3
1 1 1
5. If a, b, c are positive and a + b + c = 1. Show that + + 9
a b c
Sol On dividing by (a + b + c) successively by a,b,c we get
b c 1
1+ + = …(i)
a a a

a c 1
+1+ = …(ii)
b b b

a b 1
+ +1 = …(iii)
c c c

1 1 1 a b b c a c
Adding + + = 3+ +  + +  + + 
a b c b a c b c a
  3+ 2 + 2 + 2  9
6. If a, b, c, d are +ve, prove that a5 + b5 + c5 + d5 ≥ abcd (a + b + c +d)
Sol We choose two sets (a4, b4, c4, d4) and (a, b, c, d)
Applying inequality

4 ( a 5 + b 5 + c5 + d 5 )  ( a 4 + b 4 + d 4 ) ( a + b + c + d )

Applying A.M. – G.M. inequality to a4,b4,c4,d4

 a 4 + b4 + c4 + d 4  4abcd

 a 5 + b5 + c5 + d 5  abcd ( a + b + c + d )

2
7. Given that x2 + y2 + z2 = 8, prove that x3 + y3 + z3 ≥ 16
3
Sol Applying Cauchy Schwarz – inequality
Let x 3/2 , y3/2 , z3/2 and x1/2 , y1/2 , z1/2

( )  (x + y3 + z3 ) ( x + y + z )
2
We have x 2 + y2 + z2 3

Again x + y + z = x 1 + y 1 + z 1

( x + y + z)  ( x 2 + y2 + z 2 )(12 + 12 + 12 )
2
So

( x + y + z)  3 8

(x + y2 + z2 )
2 2

And hence (x 3
+y +z
3 3
) 
( x + y + z)
=
64
3. 8

64 2
 x 3 + y3 + z 3  .
4 3

2
 x 3 + y3 + z3  16
3
8. If w3 + x3 + y3 + z3 = 10, show that w4 + x4 + y4 +z4 ≥ 3
2500
Sol Apply Cauchy- Schwarz inequality of w2, x2, y2 , z2 and w, x, y, z we get

(w + x3 + y3 + z3 )  ( w 4 + x 4 + y4 + z4 )( w 2 + x 2 + y2 + z2 )
2
3
…(i)

Again applying Cauchy-Schwarz inequality with w2, x2, y2, z2 and 1,1,1,1, we get

(w + x 2 + y2 + z 2 )  4 ( w 4 + x 4 + y4 + z 4 )
2 2

1
 (w + x + y + z
2 2 2 2
)  2(w 4
+x +y +z
4 4
)
4 2
…(2)

3
 ( w 3 + x 3 + y3 + z 3 )  2 ( w 4 + x 4 + y 4 + z 4 ) 2 by Eq (1)
2

 w4 + x4 + y4 +z4 ≥ 3
2500

9. If a, b and c are the sides of a triangle and a + b + c = 2, then prove that a2 + b2 + c2 +c2 + 2abc < 2
Sol We know a + b + c = 2 and squaring, we get
4 = (a + b + c)2 = a2 + b2 + c2 + 2 (ab +bc + ca)

 a 2 + b 2 + c 2 = 2 ( ab − bc − ca )

Adding 2abc to both sides, we get

a 2 + b 2 + c2 + 2abc = 2 ( 2 − ab − bc − ca + abc )

To prove a2 + b2 + c2 + 2abc < 2, it is enough to prove that

2 ( 2 − ab − bc − ca + abc )  2

Or 2 + abc − ab − bc − ca  1

Or ab + bc + ca − abc − 1  0

∵ a + b +c = 2s = 2 s=1

(1 − a)(1 − b)(1 − c) = 1 − (a + b+ c) + ( ab+ bc+ ca ) − abc

 0  (s− a)(s− b)(s− c) = 1 − 2 + ( ab+ bc+ ca ) − abc

⇒ ab + bc + ca − abc − 1  0
1 1 1 1
10. For n  N, n > 1, show that + + + ... + 2  1
n n +1 n + 2 n
Sol We have
1  1 1 1 
+  2 + 2 + .. + 2 
1 1 1 1 n n n n 
+ + + .. + 2 
n n +1 n + 2 n ( n − n ) terms
2

( n −n ) terms
2

1 1 (n − n) 1
2
1 1 1 1
 + + + ... + 2  + = +1− = 1
n n +1 n + 2 n n n 2
n n

11. If a, b, c are all positive and no two of them are equal, then prove that

(a + b + c)
3

(a) a + b + c
3 3 3
  3abc (b) a 4 + b 4 + c 4  abc ( a + b + c )
9
Sol (a) without any loss of generality we may assume that a < b < c. By applying the generalised
Tcheby Chef’s inequality to three sets numbers each of which is the same a, b, c we obtain
a 3 + b 3 + c3 a + b + c a + b + c a + b + c

3 3 3 3
(a + b + c)
3

i.e. a + b + c
3 3 3
 ……..(i)
9
Again, Since the arithmetic mean exceeds the geometric mean

a+b+c
3

   abc …(ii)
 3 

(a + b + c)
3

i.e.,  3abc …..(a)

9
(b) As in (a), without any loss of generality we may assume that a < b < c. Since a < b < c, therefore,
a3 < b3 < c3. Applying Tcheby Che’s inequity to the sets of number a, b, c, a2, b3, c3, we obtain
a 4 + b 4 + b 4 a 3 + b 3 + c3 a + b + c
 . …(iii)
3 3 3
a 3 + b 3 + c3
Also, from (a)  abc …(iv)
3
From (iii) and (iv) , we have a 4 + b 4 + c 4  abc ( a + b + c )
 LEVEL 2

1. Show that for a triangle with radii of circumcircle and incircle equal to R and r respectively, the

inequality R ≥ 2r holds

abc 
Sol: R= adn r =
4 s

R abcs abcs
 = =
r 4 2
4s ( s − a )( s − b )( s − c )

2abc
= ..(i)
( b + c + a )( c + a − b )( a + b − c )
Now, applying A.M. G.M. inequality

( b + c − a ) + (c + a − b) 
( b + c − a )( c + a − b )
2

i.e. c  ( b + c − a )( c + a − b ) …(2)

Similarly, b ( c + b − a )( a + b − c ) …(3)

a ( c + a − b )( a + b − c ) ..(4)

abc  ( b + c − a )( c + a − b )( a + b − c ) ...(5)

abc
 1 ..(6)
( b + c − a )( c + a − b )( a + b − c )
2abc
 2 …(7)
( b + c − a )( c + a − b )( c + b − c )
R
i.e.  2 or R  2r ..(8)
r

3 a b c
2. In ABC, show that  + + 2
2 b+c c+a a +b
 ( a + b )( b + c )( c + a ) 
( a − b )( b + c )( c + a )
1/3
Sol Now ..(i)
3

1 1 1
+ + 1/3
a + b b + c c + a   1  1  1  
    ..(ii)
3  a − b  b + c  c + a  

 1 1 1  9
 Multiplying L.H.S ( a + b + c )  + +  …(iii)
 a +b b−c c−a  2

a b c 9 3
i.e. + +  −3 = ..(iv)
b+c c+a a +b 2 2

Also b + c  a

a a +a
 
b+c a +b+c

a 2a
i..e, 
b+c a +b+c

a b c 2 (a + b + c)
 + +  =2
b+c c+a a +b a +b+c

3 a b c
Thus  + + 2
2 b+c c+a a +b

Equality occurs when a = b = c

If c1,……, cn be positive real numbers, show that ( c1 + .... + cn )  n 2 ( c13 + .... + c3n ) When does the
3
3.

inequality reduce to equality ?

Sol If a1,…..an , b1,…..bn, be real numbers, then by Cauchy Schwarz inequality,

( a1b1 + ... + a n bn )  ( a12 + ... + a 2n )( b12 + .... + b2n )

2
…. (1)

i , ( i = 1, 2,......., n ) in the above inequity, we have

Putting a i = Ci3/2 , bi = c1/2

(c + .... + c2n )  ( c13 + ... + c3n ) ( c1 + ... + cn )

2
2
1 ….(2)

Again, putting ai = ci, bi = 1, (i = 1,2,…..,n) in (1), we have

( c1 + ... + cn )  n ( c12 + ... + c2n )

2
…(3)
 Squaring both sides of (3) and using (2), we immediately have

( c1 + ... + cn )  n 2 ( c13 + .....c3n )

3

The above inequality reduces to an equality iff each of the inequalities (2) and (3) reduces to an
equality ,i.e. iff

c3/2
i :.......: c.3/2 1/2 1/2
n :: c1 :....: c n ,

And c1 :.....: cn = 1:...:1

i.e., iff c1 = c2 …. = cn

 1 1
Show that 1 + +  ( − )
1/4
4.
 ...  / n 2n 1
 2 n 
1 1 1 1
Sol Applying Tcheby Chef’s inequality to the sets of numbers 1, ,.... ;1, ,... , we obtain
2 n 2 n
2
 1 1 1 1 1 
1 + + ... +   n  2 + 2 + ..... + 2 
 2 n 1 2 n 

 1 1 
 n 1 + + ... + 
 1.2 ( n − 1) n 

  1  1 1   1
= n 1 + 1 −  + .... +  −   = n 1 + 1 − 
  2  n − 1 n   n

Taking positive square roots of both sides, we have

 1 1
1 + + ... +   ( 2n − 1) …(i)
 2 n

Again, applying Tcheby Chef’s Inequality to the sets of numbers

1 1 1 1
1, ......., :1, ,....., , we have
2 n 2 n
2
 1 1  1 1
1 + + .....   n 1 + + ... +  …(ii)
 2 n  2 n

2
 1  1  
From (i) and (ii), we have 1 + +    n ( 2n − 1)
 2  n  
  1 1
1 + + .... + 
 2 n
 ( 2n − 1)
1/4
Therefore
n

5. If a, b, c are positive and unequal, show that

(a 7
+ b 7 + c7 )( a 2 + b 2 + c 2 )  ( a 5 + b5 + c5 )( a 4 + b 4 + c 4 )

Sol (a 7
+ b7 + c7 )( a 2 + b 2 + c 2 ) − ( a 5 + b5 + c5 )( a 4 + b 4 + c 4 )

=  ( a 7 b 2 + a 3b 7 − a 5 b 4 − a 4 b5 )

=  a 2 b 2 ( a 5 + b5 − a 3 b 2 − a 2 b3 )

=  a 2 b 2 ( a 3 − b3 )( a 2 − b 2 )

The differences a2 – b2, a3 – b3 are both of the same sign, and therefore ( a 2 − b 2 )( a 3 − b 3 ) is positive.
Similarly, the other two terms in the above sum are also positive. Therefore
(a 7
+b +c
7 7
)( a 2
+ b + c ) − (a + b + c
2 2 5 5 5
)( a 4
+b +c 4 4
)0
6. If a, b, c are positive and if p, q, r are rational numbers such that p – q – r (≠0) and r (≠0) have the
same sign, then show that
(a p
+ b p + c p )( a q + b q + cq )  ( a p − r + b p − r + c p −r )( a q + r + b q + r + cq + r )
Show that if either (i) a = b = c, or (ii) p = q + r, or (iii) r = 0, then equality holds
Sol (a p
+ b p + c p )( a q + b q + cq ) − ( a p − r + b p − r + c p − r )( a q + r + b q + r + c q + r )

=  ( bq a p + a q b p − a p−r bq +r − a q +r c p +r )

=  a q b q ( a p −q + b p −q − a p −q − r b r − a r b p =q − r )

=  a q bq ( a p −q − r − b p −q −r )( a r − b r )

Since p – q – r and r have the same sigh, the differences a p−q −r − bp −q −r and a r − br have the same sign

or are both zero Therefore,

a q b q ( a p −q − r − b p −q −r )( a r − b r )  0,

And similarly each of the other two terms in the above sum is also non-negative, so that the sum is
non negative. This proves the inequality a q b q ( a p −q − r − b p −q − r )( a r − b r )  0 And similarly each of the
other two terms in the above sum is also non-negative, so that the sum is non negative. This proves
the inequality
 Also, if any of the conditions is satisfied, then at least one of the factors in each term is
 a b (d
q q p −q − r
− b p −q −r )( a r − b r ) vanishes and therefore the sum is zero. This proves that the equality
holds

a b c
7. Let a, b, c be real numbers with 0 < a, b, c < 1 and a + b + c = 2. Prove that . . 8
1− a 1− b 1− c
Sol : Here we use A.M. – G.M.
(a + b + c) + (a + b + c) 
a= ( a + b + c )( a − b + c )
2

( b + a − c) + ( b − a + c) c 
b= ( b + a − c )( b − a + c )
2

(c + a − b) + (c − a + b) 
c= ( c + a − b )( c − a + b )
2

( a + b + c ) + ( a − b + c ) ( b + a − c ) + ( b − a + c ) ( c + a − b ) + ( c − a + b )

a.b.c = 
8

 ( a + b − c )( a − b + c )( b + a − c )( b − a + c )( c + a − b )( c − a + b )

= ( 2 − 2c )( 2 − 2a )( 2 − 2b )

= 8 (1 − c )(1 − a )(1 − b ) [∵ a + b + c = 2]

a b c
 . − 8
1− a 1− b 1− c
 b−c  c−a   a −b
a b c

8. If a, b, c are sides of triangle, show that 1 +  1 +  . 1 +  1

 a   b   c 
Sol Since a, b, c are the sides of triangle
a + b – c > 0, b + c – a > 0 , c + a – b > 0 …(1)

b−c c−a a −b
Thus, 1 + ,1 + −1 + are all positive …(2)
a b c

b−c
Take 1 + .....'a ' times
a

c−a
1+ .....'b ' times
b

a −b
1+ .....'c' times
c
 And apply A.M. – G.M. inequality

 b−c  c−a   a −b

a 1 +  + b 1 +  + c 1 + 
 a   b   c 
a +b+c
1
  b − c a  c − a b  a − b c  c+ b+c
  1 +   1 +   1 +  
  a   b   c  

L.H.S of the inequality = 1

i.e. 1 > R.H.S

1 1
9. Prove that + 2
log 2  log 5 

Sol Let log2π = a and log5 π = b

 2a =  and 5b = 

 2 = 1/a and 5 = 1/b

1 1
+
 2  5 = a b

1 1
+
i.e., 10 =  a b

22
But 1 > π2 (since  = )
7
1 1
+
 2   a b

1 1
 2 +
a b

1 1
or + 2
a b

1 1
Hence + 2
log 2  log 5 
 LEVEL 3

1. Let a, b, c be positive real numbers such that a + b + c = 1. Prove that

a b c 1
+ 2 + 2  . [RMO 2019]
a +b +c
2 3 3
b +c +a
3 3
c +a +b
3 3
5abc
Sol. Observe that

2. Let x, y, z be real numbers, each greater than 1. Prove that

x +1 y +1 z +1 x −1 y −1 z −1
+ +  + + . [RMO 2017]
y + 1 z +1 x +1 y −1 z −1 x −1
Sol.
3. Let a, b, c be positive real numbers such that abc = 1. Prove that
a3 b3 c3
+ +  3. [RMO 2016]
(a − b)(a − c) (b − c)(b − a) (c − a)(c − b)
Sol. Observe that

a c e
4. Let a, b, c, d, e, f be positive integers such that   .
b d f
Suppose af – be = -1. Show that d  b + f. [RMO 2016]
Sol. Since bc – ad > 0, we have be – ad  1. Similarly, we obtain de – fc  1. Therefore d = d{be – af) =
dbe – daf = dbe – bfc + bfc – adf = b{de – fc) + f(bc – ad)  b + f.
5. Let n  3 be a natural number and let P be a polygon with n sides. Let a1, a2,……an. be the
lengths of the sides of P and let p be its perimeter. Prove that
a1 a a
+ 2 + ..... + n  2. [RMO 2013]
p − a1 p − a 2 p − an
Sol.
6. Let a and b be positive real numbers such that a + b = 1. Prove that
aabb + abba  1. [RMO 2012]
Sol. Observe

7. Prove that
(a) 5  5 + 3 5 + 4 5;

(b) 8  8 + 3 8 + 4 8;

(c) n  n + 3 n + 4 n for all integers n  0 [RMO 2007]

Sol.

8. If a, b, c are three real numbers such that |a – b|  |c|, |b - c |  |a|, |c – a|  |b|, then prove that one of
a, b, c is the sum of the other two. [RMO 2005]
Sol.
9. Let x and y be positive real numbers such that y3 + y ≤ x – x3. Prove that
(a) y < x < 1; and
(b) x2 + y2 < 1. [RMO 2004]
Sol.

10. For any natural number n > 1, prove the inequality:

1 1 2 3 n 1 1
 2 + 2 + 2 + ..... + 2  + . [RMO 2002]
2 n +1 n + 2 n + 3 n + n 2 2n
Sol.