21

32. Determine the minimum value of

p p
S= (a + 1)2 + 2(b − 2)2 + (c + 3)2 + (b + 1)2 + 2(c − 2)2 + (d + 3)2 )
p p
+ (c + 1)2 + 2(d − 2)2 + (a + 3)2 + (d + 1)2 + 2(a − 2)2 + (b + 3)2

where a, b, c, d are any real numbers.

Solution. Applying Minkowski’s inequality,
p p
S≥ (4 + s)2 + 2(s − 8)2 + (s + 12)2 = 4s2 + 288
√
where s = a + b + c + d. Consequently, min S = 12 2 and is taken on for
a = b = c = d = 0.
33. A set of 500 real numbers is such that any number in the set is greater than
one-fifth the sum of all the other numbers in the set. Determine the least number
of negative numbers in the set.
Solution. Letting a1 , a2 , a3 , . . . denote the numbers of the set and S the sum of all
the numbers in the set, we have

S − a1 S − a2 S − a6
a1 > , a2 > , ..., a6 > .
5 5 5
Adding, we get 0 > S − a1 − a2 − · · · − a6 so that if there were six or less negative
numbers in the set, the right hand side of the inequality could be positive. Hence,
there must be at least seven negative numbers.
Comment. This problem where the “5” is replaced by “1” is due to Mark
Kantrowitz, Carnegie–Mellon University.
34. Prove that
p p p
a+b+c ≥ b 2 + c2 − a 2 + c2 + a 2 − b 2 + a2 + b 2 − c2 ,

where a, b, c are sides of a non-obtuse triangle.

Solution. By the power mean inequality
p p
b2 + c2 − a2 + c2 + a2 − b2 ≤ 2c ,

and similarly two other such inequalities. Then, adding, we get the desired result.
35. Determine the extreme values of the area of a triangle ABC, given the lengths
of the two altitudes hc , hb . [Correction to question made.]
Solution. Let D and E be the feet of the altitudes hb and hc . Then by the Law
hb hc
of Sines applied to triangles ABD and ACE, c = sin A and b = sin A . Twice the
hb hc hb hc
area is given by 2[ABC] = sin A . Hence, the minimum area is 2 occuring for
A = π2 . Also, by letting A approach π, the area becomes unbounded. In this case
a would be arbitrarily large.