INEQUALITIES

Ozgur Kircak

September 27, 2009

2
Contents

1 MEANS INEQUALITIES 5
1.1 EXERCISES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

2 CAUCHY-SCHWARZ INEQUALITY 11
2.1 EXERCISES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

3 REARRANGEMENT INEQUALITY 17
3.1 EXERCISES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

4 CHEBYSHEVS INEQUALITY 21
4.1 EXERCISES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

5 MIXED PROBLEMS 25

6 PROBLEMS FROM OLYMPIADS 29

6.1 Years 1996 2000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
6.2 Years 1990 1995 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
6.3 Supplementary Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

3
4 CONTENTS
Chapter 1

MEANS INEQUALITIES

a1 +a2 +...+an
Definition 1 Arithmetic mean of a1 , a2 , ..., an is AM = n

Definition 2 Geometric mean of a1 , a2 , ..., an is GM = n
a1 a2 ... an

n
Definition 3 Harmonic mean of a1 , a2 , ..., an is HM = 1
+ a1 +...+ a1n
a1 2

q
a21 +a22 +...+a2n
Definition 4 Quadratic mean of a1 , a2 , ..., an is QM = n

q
r ar1 +ar2 +...+arn
Definition 5 The rth power mean of a1 , a2 , ..., an is Pr = n

Theorem 1 Let ai R+

QM (a1 , a2 , ..., an ) AM (a1 , a2 , ..., an ) GM (a1 , a2 , ..., an ) HM (a1 , a2 , ..., an )

and equality holds if and only if a1 = a2 = ... = an .

Theorem 2 Let ai R+ then Pr1 Pr2 whenever r1 r2 .

Example 1 Let a, b, c > 0, prove that a2 + b2 + c2 ab + bc + ca.

Solution: By AM-GM inequality we have a2 + b2 2ab. Similarly, b2 + c2 2bc

and a2 + c2 2ac. Adding these three inequalities we get

2(a2 + b2 + c2 ) 2(ab + bc + ca) = a2 + b2 + c2 ab + bc + ca.

Lets link this result since we will use it in many problems.

a2 + b2 + c2 ab + bc + ca (1.1)

5
6 CHAPTER 1. MEANS INEQUALITIES

a b c
Example 2 Prove that if a, b, c > 0, then b + c + a 3.

a b c
q
b+c+a abc a b c
Solution: By AM-GM we have 3 3
bca = 1. So, b + c + a 3.

Example 3 Prove that for any positive real numbers a, b, c we have

1 1 1 9
+ + .
a+b b+c c+a 2(a + b + c)

Solution: By AM-HM inequality, we have

1 1 1
a+b + b+c + c+a 3 3
1 1 1 = .
3 1 + 1 + 1 2(a + b + c)
a+b b+c c+a

Therefore,
1 1 1 9
+ + .
a+b b+c c+a 2(a + b + c)

Example 4 Prove that if a, b, c > 0 then

a b c 3
+ + . (1.2)
b+c c+a a+b 2

Solution: By the previous example we have,

1 1 1 9
(a + b + c)[
+ + ]
a+b b+c c+a 2
a+b+c a+b+c a+b+c 9
+ +
a+b b+c c+a 2
a a a 9
+1+ +1+ +1
b+c b+c b+c 2
a a a 3
+ + .
b+c b+c b+c 2

This inequality is called Nesbitts inequality.

p
3

3
p
3

3

Example 5 Prove that 3+ 3+ 3 3 < 2 3 3.

Solution: By AM P3 we have,

p p s p p
3 3
3+ 33+ 3 33 3 (
3 3
3 + 3 3)3 + ( 3 3 3)3
3
= 3.
2 2

Since the terms are not equal we have strict inequality.

p
3
p
3

So, 3 + 3 3 + 3 3 3 < 2 3 3.
1.1. EXERCISES 7

1.1 EXERCISES
1. Prove that for any positive real numbers a, b, c we have

(a + 2)(b + 3)(c + 6) 48 abc.

2. Prove that if a, b, c > 0, then (a + b)(b + c)(c + a) 8abc.

3. Prove that if a, b, c > 0, then
ab bc ca
+ 2 + 2 3.
c2 a b

4. Prove that if a, b, c > 0, then

ab bc ca
+ + a + b + c.
c a b

5. Prove that if x, y > 0 then,

x y 1
+ 2 .
x4 + y 2 x + y4 xy

6. Prove that (a + b c)(b + c a)(c + a b) abc if

(a) a, b, c are sides of a triangle
(b) a, b, c are positive real numbers.
7. Prove that if a, b, c > 0 and a2 + b2 + c2 = 3, then
1 1 1 3
+ + .
1 + ab 1 + bc 1 + ca 2

8. Prove that if x, y, z are real numbers with z > 0, then

x2 + y 2 + 12z 2 + 1
x + y + 1.
4z

9. Prove that the inequality (3a + b + c)2 12a(b + c) holds for any real
numbers a, b, c.
10. Prove that if x, y, z > 0, then
(a) 1 + 1 + 1 1
+ 1
+ z1 .
xy yz zx x y
x2 y2 z2
(b) y2 + z2 + + yz + xy .
x2 x
z
2
2 2
q
(c) xy + yz + zx x yz + y xz + z xy .
p p

(d) x4 + y 4 + z 4 xyz( xy + yz + zx).
8 CHAPTER 1. MEANS INEQUALITIES

11. Prove that if x, y > 0, then

1 1 1
+ .
x+y 4x 4y

12. Let a, b, c 0 and a + b + c 3. Prove that

a b c 3 1 1 1
2
+ 2
+ 2
+ + .
1+a 1+b 1+c 2 1+a 1+b 1+c

13. Prove the inequality x4 + y 4 + 8 8xy for positive real numbers x, y.

14. Prove that if a and b are positive real numbers, then

a b
(1 + )n + (1 + )n 2n+1 .
b a

15. Prove that if p, q > 0 and p + q = 1, then

1 1 25
(p + )2 + (q + )2 .
p q 2

16. Prove that if x + y + z = 1 then,

 
1 1 1 1
8( xy yz zx) + + 9.
2 (x + y)2 (y + z)2 (z + x)2

17. Prove that if a1 , a2 , ..., an are distinct positive real numbers and
a1 + a2 + ... + an = S, then

S S S n2
+ + ... + > .
S a1 S a2 S an n1

18. Find the minimum value of

a1 a2 a2009
+ +...+
1 + a2 + a3 + ... + a2009 1 + a1 + a3 ... + a2009 1 + a1 + a2 + ... + a2008
where a1 , a2 , ..., a2009 > 0 and a1 + a2 + ... + a2009 = 1.
2
x 1
19. Prove that for any x R we have 1+x 4 2.

20. Let x, y 1. Prove that x y 1 + y x 1 xy.
2
21. Prove the inequality x +2 2 for any x R.
x2 +1

x2 +y 2

22. Let x > y > 0 and xy = 1. Prove that xy > 2 2.
4
23. Prove that if x > y 0, then x + (xy)(y+1)2 3.
1.1. EXERCISES 9

a3 b3 c3
24. Prove that if a, b, c > 0 then bc + ca + ab a + b + c.
25. Prove that if a + b + c = 1, then a2 + b2 + c2 31 .
26. Prove that if a + b + c = 3, then a2 + b2 + c2 3 ab + bc + ca.
27. Let a, b, c be positive real numbers such that a2 + b2 + c2 = 3. Prove that
1 1 1
+ + 1.
a+b+1 b+c+1 c+a+1

28. Prove that the inequality

(a + b + c)2
a2 + b2 + c2 ab + bc + ca
3
holds for any real numbers a, b, c.
29. Prove that if x, y, z > 0, then
x2 y2 z2 x y z
2
+ 2
+ 2
+ + .
y z x y z x

30. Prove that if x3 + y 3 = 2, then x + y 2.

31. Let a, b, c be positive real numbers with a3 + b3 + c3 = 24. Prove that
a + b + c 6.
a b c d
32. Prove that if a, b, c > 0, then b+c+d + a+c+d + a+b+d + a+b+c 34 .

33. Prove that if a + b 1, then a4 + b4 81 .

34. Let a, b, c > 0. Prove that
a3 a + 2 b3 b + 2 c3 c + 2
+ + 3.
b+c c+a a+b

35. Prove that for positive real numbers x, y, z we have

x y z 3
+ + .
x + 2y + 2z y + 2z + 2x z + 2x + 2y 5

36. Prove that if a, b, c > 0, then

a4 b4 c4 a2 b2 c2
+ + + + .
b2 c 2 c2 a2 a2 b2 bc ca ab

37. Prove the inequality 2 x + 1 2 x < 1x < 2 x 2 x 1 for x 1.

38. Prove that if a, b, c > 0 then

1 1 1 27
+ + .
b(a + b) c(b + c) a(c + a) 2(a + b + c)2
10 CHAPTER 1. MEANS INEQUALITIES

39. Prove that for x, y > 0,

1 1 2
+ .
(1 + x)2 (1 + y)2 x+y+2

40. Prove that if a, b, c > 0 then

a3 + 2 b3 + 2 c3 + 2 3
+ + .
3b + 3c 3c + 3a 3a + 3b 2

41. Prove that if a, b, c > 0, then

3 6
1+ .
ab + bc + ca a+b+c

42. Solve the system in R+

a + b + c + d = 12
abcd = 27 + ab + ac + ad + bc + bd + cd.

43. Solve the system in the set of real numbers

4x2
= y,
4x2 + 1
4y 2
= z,
4y 2 + 1
4z 2
= x.
4z 2 + 1

44. Solve the system where x, y, z R

2
x+ = 2y,
x
2
y + = 2z,
y
2
z + = 2x.
z

45. Find the positive real numbers x, y, z, t satisfying the system

16xyzt = (x2 + y 2 + z 2 + t2 )(xyz + xyt + xzt + yzt),

8 = 2xy + 2zt + xz + xt + yz + yt.
Chapter 2

CAUCHY-SCHWARZ
INEQUALITY

Theorem 3 (Cauchy-Schwarz)If xi , yi are real numbers, then

(x21 + x22 + ... + x2n )(y12 + y22 + ... + yn2 ) (x1 y1 + x2 y2 + ... + xn yn )2
x1 x2 xn
and equality holds if and only if y1 = y2 = ... = yn .

(a+b+c)2
Example 6 Prove that a2 +b2 +c2 3 for any real numbers a, b, c.

Solution: By Cauchy-Schwarz we have that

(12 + 12 + 12 )(a2 + b2 + c2 ) (1 a + 1 b + 1 c)2 = (a + b + c)2 .

(a+b+c)2
Therefore, a2 + b2 + c2 3 .

Example 7 Let x, y, z be positive real numbers. Prove that

x2 y2 z2 x+y+z
+ + .
x+y y+z z+x 2

Solution: By Cauchy-Schwarz inequality we have

 
2 2 2 x 2 y 2 z 2
[( x + y) + ( y + z) + ( z + x) ] ( ) + ( ) + ( )
x+y y+z z+x
2


x y z
x+y + y+z + z+x = (x + y + z)2
x+y y+z z+x
 2 
x y2 z2
So, what we got is (2x + 2y + 2z) x+y + y+z + z+x (x + y + z)2 .
x2 y2 z2 x+y+z
Therefore, x+y + y+z + z+x 2 .

11
12 CHAPTER 2. CAUCHY-SCHWARZ INEQUALITY

This is a very useful trick that can be applied to many problems. We can
generalize this result as:

x21 x2 x2 (x1 + x2 + ... + xn )2

+ 2 + ... + n (2.1)
y1 y2 yn y1 + y2 + ... + yn

a3 b3 c3 a2 +b2 +c2
Example 8 Let a, b, c > 0. Prove that b+c + c+a + a+b 2 .

a3 a4 b3 b4
Solution: We can write b+c = ab+ac and similarly c+a = bc+ba and
c3 c4
a+b = ca+cb .
So by (2.1) we have

a4 b4 c4 (a2 + b2 + c2 )2 a2 + b2 + c2
LHS = + +
ab + ac bc + ba ca + cb 2(ab + bc + ca) 2

by (1.1) as desired.
2.1. EXERCISES 13

2.1 EXERCISES
(x+2y+3z)2
46. Prove that the inequality x2 +y 2 +z 2 14 holds for any x, y, z R.
47. Prove that if a, b, c > 0, then
1 1 1
(a + b + c)( + + ) 9.
a b c
1
48. Prove that if x, y > 0 and x + 3y = 1 then x2 + y 2 10 .

49. a, b, c, x, y, z are real numbers and a2 + b2 + c2 = 16, x2 + y 2 + z 2 = 25

a+b+c
and ax + by + cz = 20. Compute x+y+z .
q
2
q
2
50. Prove that if a, b > 0, then a + b ab + ba .

51. Solve the system

x1 + x2 + ... + xk = 9
1 1 1
+ + ... + =1
x1 x2 xk
where xi R+ .
52. Prove that if a, b, c are positive real numbers with abc = 1, then

a2 b2 c2 3
+ + .
a+b b+c c+a 2

53. Prove that if x, y, z > 0 and x + y + z = 1, then

 
1 1 1 1
8( xy yz zx) + + 9.
2 (x + y)2 (y + z)2 (z + x)2

54. Prove that if a, b, c > 0 then

a b c 9
+ + .
(b + c)2 (c + a)2 (a + b)2 4(a + b + c)

55. Prove that if a, b, c, d are positive real numbers, then

1 1 4 16 64
+ + + .
a b c d a+b+c+d

56. Let a, b, c, d be positive real numbers. Prove that

p
(a + c)(b + d) ab + cd.
p p
57. Let a > c > 0 and b > c > 0. Prove that c(a c) + c(b c) ab.
14 CHAPTER 2. CAUCHY-SCHWARZ INEQUALITY

58. Let a, b, c > 0 with a + b + c = 3. Prove that

a2 b2 c2
+ + 1.
a+b+1 b+c+1 c+a+1

59. Let a, b, c > 0 with abc = 1. Prove that

a2 b2 c2
+ + 1.
a+b+1 b+c+1 c+a+1

60. Let a, b, c be positive real numbers such that a2 + b2 + c2 = 3. Prove that

a3 b3 c3
+ + 1.
a + 2b b + 2c c + 2a

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

that
p
ax + by + cz + 2 (xy + yz + zx)(ab + bc + ca) a + b + c.

62. Let a, b, c be positive real numbers. Prove that

a3 b3 c3 a2 b2 c2
2
+ 2+ 2 + + .
b c a b c a

63. Prove that if a, b, c, x, y, z > 0, then

x4 y4 z4 (x + y + z)4
+ + .
a3 b3 c3 (a + b + c)3

64. Prove that if a, b, c are positive real numbers, then

a b c
+ + 1.
a + 2b b + 2c c + 2a

65. Prove that if a, b, c are positive real numbers, then

a b c
+ + 1.
b + 2c c + 2a a + 2b

66. Prove that if a, b, c > 0, then

a b c
+ + 1.
2a + b 2b + c 2c + a

67. Let a, b, c, d be positive real numbers such that (a2 + b2 )3 = c2 + d2 . Prove

that
a3 b3
+ 1.
c d
2.1. EXERCISES 15

68. Let a, b be positive real numbers. Prove that

a4 + b4 a2 + b2
.
a3 + b3 a+b

69. Let a, b, c > 0 with abc = 1. Prove that

a2 + b2 + 1 b2 + c2 + 1 c2 + a2 + 1
+ + 3.
a+b+1 b+c+1 c+a+1

70. Prove that if a, b, c, x, y, z > 0 and (a2 + b2 + c2 )3 = x2 + y 2 + z 2 , then

a3 b3 c3
+ + 1.
x y z

71. Prove that if a, b, c are positive real numbers, then

27a2 (b + c)2
+ 12b.
c a

72. Let a, b, c, d 0 with ab + bc + cd + da = 1. Prove that

a3 b3 c3 d3 1
+ + + .
b+c+d a+c+d a+b+d a+b+c 3

73. Let a1 , a2 , ..., an ; b1 , b2 , ..., bn be positive real numbers such that

a1 + a2 + ... + an = b1 + b2 + ... + bn . Show that

a21 a22 a2n a1 + a2 + ... + an

+ + ... + .
a1 + b1 a2 + b2 an + bn 2

74. Let a, b, c > 0. Prove that

a b c 9
2
+ 2
+ 2
.
b(b + c) c(c + a) a(a + b) 4(a + b2 + c2 )
2

75. Let a, b, c > 0 with a + b + c = 3. Prove that

a2 (b + 1) b2 (c + 1) c2 (a + 1)
+ + 2.
a + b + ab b + c + bc c + a + ca
16 CHAPTER 2. CAUCHY-SCHWARZ INEQUALITY
Chapter 3

REARRANGEMENT
INEQUALITY

Definition 6 Let a1 a2 ... an and b1 b2 ... bn . The

number A = a1 b1 + a2 b2 + ... + an bn is called ordered sum and the number
B = a1 bn + a2 bn1 + ... + an b1 is called reversed sum. And if x1 , x2 , ..., xn
is a permutation of b1 , b2 , ..., bn then X = a1 x1 + a2 x2 + ... + an xn is called
a mixed sum.

Theorem 4 Let a1 a2 ... an and b1 b2 ... bn be given. For

any mixed sum X we have B X A.

Example 9 Prove that for positive real numbers a, b, c the inequality

a2 + b2 + c2 ab + bc + ca holds.

Solution: Since the inequality is symmetric, WLOG we can assume that

a b c. So by Rearrangement inequality, being the ordered sum

a2 + b2 + c2 = a a + b b + c c a b + b c + c a.

Example 10 Prove that if a, b, c are positive real numbers, then

ab bc ca
+ + a + b + c.
c a b

Solution: WLOG, we can assume that a b c. Then ab ac bc and

1 1 1
c b a . By Rearrangement inequality we have,

1 1 1 1 1 1
LHS = ab + ac + bc ab + ac + bc = a + b + c.
c b a a c b

17
18 CHAPTER 3. REARRANGEMENT INEQUALITY

Example 11 Prove that if a, b, c are positive real numbers, then

a3 b3 c3
+ + a + b + c.
bc ca ab

Solution: By symmetry assume that a b c then a3 b3 c3 and

1 1 1
bc ca ab . By Rearrangement inequality we have that

1 1 1 1 1 1 a2 b2 c2
LHS = a3 + b3 + c 3 a3 + b3 + c3 = + +
bc ca ab ca ab bc c a b
And again by Rearrangement inequality, being the reversed sum
1 1 1 1 1 1
a + b + c = a2 + b2 + c2 a2 + b2 + c2
a b c c a b
Combining these two inequalities we get that
a3 b3 c3
+ + a + b + c.
bc ca ab

3.1 EXERCISES
76. Let a, b, c be positive real numbers. Prove that
(a) a3 + b3 ab(a + b)
(b) a5 + b5 ab(a3 + b3 )
(c) a3 + b3 + c3 a2 b + b2 c + c2 a

(d) ab + bc + ca a bc + b ca + c ab
a2 b2 c2
(e) b + c + a a+b+c
a2 b2 c2 b c a
(f) b2 + c2 + a2 a + b + c
(g) abc(ab + bc + ca) a b + b3 c2 + c3 a23 2

a b c a b c
(h) b+c + c+a + a+b a+b + b+c + c+a .

77. Prove that if a, b, c are positive real numbers, then

a b c 3
+ + .
b+c c+a a+b 2

78. Let xi R+ and y1 , y2 , ..., yn be a permutation of x1 , x2 , ..., xn . Prove that

x21 x2 x2
+ 2 + ... + n x1 + x2 + ... + xn .
y1 y2 yn

79. Let x1 , x2 , ..., xn be positive real numbers. Prove that

x21 x2 x2
+ 2 + ... + n x1 + x2 + ... + xn .
x2 x3 x1
3.1. EXERCISES 19

80. Let a1 , a2 , ..., an be distinct positive integers. Prove that

a1 a2 an 1 1 1
+ 2 + ... + 2 + + ... + .
12 2 n 1 2 n

81. Prove that if for any a, b, c we have

a2 b2 c2 a2 b2 c2 a2 b2 c2
+ + + + + +
a+b b+c c+a b+c c+a a+b c+a a+b b+c
then a = b = c.

82. Let a1 a2 a3 and b1 b2 b3 . Prove that

1
a1 b1 + a2 b2 + a3 b3 (a1 + a2 + a3 )(b1 + b2 + b3 )
3
20 CHAPTER 3. REARRANGEMENT INEQUALITY
Chapter 4

CHEBYSHEVS
INEQUALITY

Theorem 5 Let a1 a2 ... an and b1 b2 ... bn . Then

1
a1 b1 +a2 b2 +...+an bn (a1 +a2 +...+an )(b1 +b2 +...+bn ) a1 bn +a2 bn1 +...+an b1 .
n

Example 12 Prove that a2 + b2 + c2 31 (a + b + c)2 .

Solution: By Chebyshevs inequality,

1 1
a2 + b2 + c2 = a a + b b + c c (a + b + c)(a + b + c) = (a + b + c)2 .
3 3
Example 13 Let a, b, c > 0. Prove that
a b c 3
+ + .
b+c c+a a+b 2

Solution: Due to symmetry, we can assume that a b c then

1 1 1
b+c c+a a+b . So by Chebyshevs inequality we have

a b c 1 1 1 1
+ + (a + b + c)( + + ) (4.1)
b+c c+a a+b 3 b+c c+a a+b
And by AM-HM we have
1 1 1 1 3 3
( + + ) = (4.2)
3 b+c c+a a+b b+c+c+a+a+b 2(a + b + c)
Combining (4.1) and (4.2) we get,
a b c 3
+ + .
b+c c+a a+b 2

21
22 CHAPTER 4. CHEBYSHEVS INEQUALITY

Example 14 Prove that if a, b, c > 0 and abc = 1, then

a2 b2 c2 3
+ + .
b+c c+a a+b 2

Solution: WLOG, suppose that a b c. Then a2 b2 c2 and

1 1 1
b+c c+a a+b . So by Chebyshevs inequality we have,

a2 b2 c2 1 1 1 1
+ + (a2 + b2 + c2 )( + + )
b+c c+a a+b 3 b+c c+a a+b
By Example 11 and (4.2) we have that

1 2 1 1 1 (a + b + c)2 3
(a + b2 + c2 )( + + ) =
3 b+c c+a a+b 3 2(a + b + c)
3
a+b+c abc
=
2 2

4.1 EXERCISES
83. Prove that if a, b, c > 0. then
(a+b)(a2 +b2 )
(a) a3 + b3 2
an+1 +bn+1
(b) an +bn a+b
2
4 4 4
(c) a + b + c abc(a + b + c)
(a+b+c)3
(d) a3 + b3 + c3 9

84. Prove that if a, b, c > 0, then

a b c 3
+ + .
a + 2b + 2c b + 2c + 2a c + 2a + 2b 5

85. Prove that if a, b, c > 0, then

a b c 3
+ + .
a + 3b + 3c b + 3c + 3a c + 3a + 3b 7

86. Prove that if a, b, c > 0 and abc = 1, then

a2 b2 c2 3
+ + .
a + 2b + 2c b + 2c + 2a c + 2a + 2b 5

87. Prove that if a, b, c > 0, then

a3 b3 c3 ab + bc + ca
+ + .
b+c c+a a+b 2
4.1. EXERCISES 23

88. Prove that if a, b, c > 0 with abc = 1, then

a3 b3 c3
+ + 1.
b+c+1 c+a+1 a+b+1

89. Let a, b, c, d 0 with ab + bc + cd + da = 1. Prove that

a3 b3 c3 d3 1
+ + + .
b+c+d a+c+d a+b+d a+b+c 3

90. Prove that if a, b, c > 0, then

b+c c+a a+b 6
+ + .
a + 3b + 3c b + 3c + 3a c + 3a + 3b 7

91. Prove that if a, b, c > 0, then

b+c c+a a+b 6
+ + .
a + 2b + 2c b + 2c + 2a c + 2a + 2b 5

92. Prove that if a, b, c > 0 and abc = 1 then

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

93. Let x, y, z be positive real numbers with xyz = 1 and a 1. Prove that
xa ya za 3
+ + .
y+z z+x x+y 2

94. Prove that if a, b, c > 0 with a + b + c = 1, then

a3 b3 c3 1
2 2
+ 2 2
+ 2 2
.
b +c c +a a +b 2

95. Prove that if a, b, c > 0 then

a5 b5 c5 (a + b + c)2
+ 3 + 3 .
b3 +c 3 c +a 3 a +b 3 6

96. Let a, b, c > 0. Prove that

a3 + b3 b3 + c3 c3 + a3
2 2
+ 2 2
+ 2 a + b + c.
a +b b +c c + a2
24 CHAPTER 4. CHEBYSHEVS INEQUALITY
 Chapter 5

MIXED PROBLEMS

97. Prove that if a, b, c > 0 and abc = 1, then

1 1 1
+ 3 + 3 1.
a3 + b + 1 b + c + 1 c + a3 + 1
3 3

98. Prove that if a, b, c > 0 and abc = 1, then

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

99. Prove that if x, y, z > 0 then

xy yz zx
+ 2 + 1.
x2 + xy + yz y + yz + zx z 2 + zx + xy

100. Prove that if x, y, z > 0 then

xy yz zx 1
+ 2 + 2 .
3x2 + 2y 2 + z 2 3y + 2z 2 + x2 3z + 2x2 + y 2 2

101. Prove that if a, b, c > 0 and abc = 1, then

ab bc ca
+ 5 + 5 1.
a5 + b + ab b + c + bc c + a5 + ca
5 5

102. Let a, b, c be real numbers such that a2 + b2 + c2 = 1. Prove that

a2 b2 c2 3
+ + .
1 + 2bc 1 + 2ca 1 + 2ab 5

103. (IMO95/2) Let a, b, and c be positive real numbers such that abc = 1.
Prove that
1 1 1 3
3
+ 3 + 3 .
a (b + c) b (c + a) c (a + b) 2

25
26 CHAPTER 5. MIXED PROBLEMS

104. Let a, b, c > 0 with a + b + c = 1. Prove that

a3 b3 c3 1
2 2
+ 2 2
+ 2 2
.
a +b b +c c +a 2

105. (IMO2000/2) Let a, b, c be positive real numbers with product 1. Prove

that
1 1 1
(a 1 + )(b 1 + )(c 1 + ) 1.
b c a
106. Prove that if a, b, c > 0 and abc = 1, then
3 6
1+ .
a+b+c ab + bc + ca

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

108. Let a, b, c be positive real numbers such that abc = 1. Prove that
b+c c+a a+b
+ + a + b + c + 3.
a b c

109. If a, b, c (0, 1), then prove that

p
abc + (1 a)(1 b)(1 c) < 1.
p p p
3 2
110. Prove that a2 + (b 1)2 + b2 + (c 1)2 + c2 + (a 1)2 2 for
arbitrary real numbers a, b, c.

111. Prove that 3(a2 ab + b2 ) a2 + ab + b2 for any real numbers a and b.

112. (Russia2002) Let x, y, z be positive real numbers with sum 3. Prove that

x + y + z xy + yz + zx.

113. Let a, b, c be positive real numbers. Prove that

ab bc ca a+b+c
+ + .
a + b + 2c b + c + 2a c + a + 2b 4

114. Prove that

a3 b3 c3 a+b+c
2 2
+ 2 2
+ 2 2

a + ab + b b + bc + c c + ca + a 3
for positive real numbers a, b, c.
 27

115. Prove that if a, b, c > 0, then

a3 b3 c3 3(ab + bc + ca)
2 2
+ 2 2
+ 2 2
.
b bc + c c ca + a a ab + b a+b+c

116. (IMO2001/2)Let a, b, c be positive real numbers. Prove that

a b c
+ + 1.
a2 + 8bc 2
b + 8ca 2
c + 8ab

117. Prove that if a, b, c are positive, then

a3 + b3 b3 + c3 c3 + a3
+ + a + b + c.
a2 + b2 b2 + c2 c2 + a2

118. Prove that for positive real numbers a, b, c, d the inequality holds
3
3
p
ab + cd 3 (a + c + b)(a + c + d).
p
119. Let x,
py, z be positive reals with x + y + z = 1 and let a = x2 + xy + y 2 ,

b = y 2 + yz + z 2 , c = z 2 + zx + x2 . Prove that ab + bc + ca 1.
120. Let a, b, c > 0. Prove that
1 1 1 9
+ + p .
a+b b+c c+a a + b + c + 3(ab + bc + ca)

121. Let a, b, c > 0 with abc = 1. Prove that

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

2 3
+ 2 3
+ 2 3
.
a+b +c b+c +a c+a +b a+b+c

122. If x, y > 0 and x2 + y 3 x3 + y 4 . Prove that x3 + y 3 2.

123. Let a, b, c be positive real numbers. Prove that

ab3 bc3 ca3

+ + + 3abc 2(a2 b + b2 c + c2 a).
c a b

124. Prove that if a, b, c are positive real numbers with a + b + c = 1, then

a5 b5 c5 1
+ + .
a4 + b4 b4 + c4 c4 + a 4 2

125. Let a, b, c > 0 with abc = 1. Prove that

a b c
+ + 1.
a2 + 2 b2 + 2 c2 + 2
28 CHAPTER 5. MIXED PROBLEMS

126. (Mathematical Excalibur) Let x, y, z > 1. Prove that

x4 y4 z4
+ + 48.
(y 1)2 (z 1)2 (x 1)2

127. (MMO/2009) Let a, b, c > 0 such that ab + bc + ca = 31 . Prove that

a b c 1
+ 2 + 2 .
a2 bc + 1 b ca + 1 c ab + 1 a+b+c
128. Prove that x, y, z R+ we have:
X x5 3
.
x3 yz + yz 4 2
129. Let x, y, z > 0. Prove that
x3 y3 z3
+ + 1.
y(x2 + 2y 2 ) z(y 2 + 2z 2 ) x(z 2 + 2x2 )
130. Prove that if a, b, c > 0, then
a b c
+ + 1.
a2 + b + 1 b2 + c + 1 c2 + a + 1
131. Prove that if a, b, c > 0 with abc = 1, then
X a3 + b3 + 1
3.
a2 + b2 + 1
132. Prove that if x, y, z > 0, then
X x2 z 2 + y 4 + y 2 z 2
3.
yz(xz + y 2 + yz)

133. Let a, b, c > 0 with (a + b)(b + c)(c + a) = 8. Prove that

r
a+b+c 3 3 3
27 a + b + c
.
3 3
134. Let x, y, z be positive reals. Prove that
yz zx xy
+ 2 + 1.
2x2 + yz 2y + zx 2z 2 + xy
135. Let x, y, z be positive reals. Prove that
x2 y2 z2
+ + 1.
2x2 + yz 2y 2 + zx 2z 2 + xy

136. Let a, b, x, y, z R+ . Prove that

x y z 3
+ + .
ay + bz az + bx ax + by a+b
Chapter 6

PROBLEMS FROM
OLYMPIADS

(From Inequalities Through Problems-Hojoo Lee)

1 (BMO 2005, Proposed by Serbia and Montenegro) (a, b, c > 0)

a2 b2 c2 4(a b)2
+ + a+b+c+
b c a a+b+c

2 (Romania 2005, Cezar Lupu) (a, b, c > 0)

b+c c+a a+b 1 1 1
+ 2 + 2 + +
a2 b c a b c

3 (Romania 2005, Traian Tamaian) (a, b, c > 0)

a b c d
+ + + 1
b + 2c + d c + 2d + a d + 2a + b a + 2b + c

1 1
+ 1c , a, b, c > 0


4 (Romania 2005, Cezar Lupu) a + b + c a + b

3
a+b+c
abc

5 (Romania 2005, Cezar Lupu) (1 = (a + b)(b + c)(c + a), a, b, c > 0)

3
ab + bc + ca
4

29
30 CHAPTER 6. PROBLEMS FROM OLYMPIADS

6 (Romania 2005, Robert Szasz) (a + b + c = 3, a, b, c > 0)

a2 b2 c2 (3 2a)(3 2b)(3 2c)

7 (Romania 2005) (abc 1, a, b, c > 0)

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

8 (Romania 2005, Unused) (abc = 1, a, b, c > 0)

a b c 3
+ +
b2 (c + 1) c2 (a + 1) a2 (b + 1) 2

a b
9 (Romania 2005, Unused) (a + b + c b + c + ac , a, b, c > 0)

a3 c b3 a c3 b 3
+ +
b(c + a) c(a + b) a(b + c) 2

10 (Romania 2005, Unused) (a + b + c = 1, a, b, c > 0)

r
a b c 3
+ +
b+c c+a a+b 2

11 (Romania 2005, Unused) (ab + bc + ca + 2abc = 1, a, b, c > 0)

3
ab + bc + ca
2

12 (Chzech and Solvak 2005) (abc = 1, a, b, c > 0)

a b c 3
+ +
(a + 1)(b + 1) (b + 1)(c + 1) (c + 1)(a + 1) 4

13 (Japan 2005) (a + b + c = 1, a, b, c > 0)

1 1 1
a (1 + b c) 3 + b (1 + c a) 3 + c (1 + a b) 3 1
 31

14 (Germany 2005) (a + b + c = 1, a, b, c > 0)

 
b c a 1+a 1+b 1+c
2 + + + +
a b b 1a 1b 1c

15 (Vietnam 2005) (a, b, c > 0)

 3  3  3
a b c 3
+ +
a+b b+c c+a 8

16 (China 2005) (a + b + c = 1, a, b, c > 0)

10(a3 + b3 + c3 ) 9(a5 + b5 + c5 ) 1

17 (China 2005) (abcd = 1, a, b, c, d > 0)

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

18 (China 2005) (ab + bc + ca = 13 , a, b, c 0)

1 1 1
+ 2 + 2 3
a2 bc + 1 b ca + 1 c ab + 1

19 (Poland 2005) (0 a, b, c 1)
a b c
+ + 2
bc + 1 ca + 1 ab + 1

20 (Poland 2005) (ab + bc + ca = 3, a, b, c > 0)

a3 + b3 + c3 + 6abc 9

21 (Baltic Way 2005) (abc = 1, a, b, c > 0)

a b c
+ + 1
a2 + 2 b2 + 2 c2 + 2
32 CHAPTER 6. PROBLEMS FROM OLYMPIADS

22 (Serbia and Montenegro 2005) (a, b, c > 0)

r
a b c 3
+ + (a + b + c)
b+c c+a a+b 2

23 (Serbia and Montenegro 2005) (a + b + c = 3, a, b, c > 0)

a + b + c ab + bc + ca

24 (Bosnia and Hercegovina 2005) (a + b + c = 1, a, b, c > 0)

1
a b+b c+c a
3

25 (Iran 2005) (a, b, c > 0)

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

26 (Austria 2005) (a, b, c, d > 0)

1 1 1 1 a+b+c+d
3
+ 3+ 3+ 3
a b c d abcd

27 (Moldova 2005) (a4 + b4 + c4 = 3, a, b, c > 0)

1 1 1
+ + 1
4 ab 4 bc 4 ca

28 (APMO 2005) (abc = 8, a, b, c > 0)

a2 b2 c2 4
p +p +p
(1 + a3 )(1 + b3 ) (1 + b3 )(1 + c3 ) (1 + c3 )(1 + a3 ) 3

29 (IMO 2005) (xyz 1, x, y, z > 0)

x5 x2 y5 y2 z5 z2
+ 5 + 5 0
x5 2
+y +z 2 y +z +x2 2 z + x2 + y 2
 33

30 (Poland 2004) (a + b + c = 0, a, b, c R)

b2 c2 + c2 a2 + a2 b2 + 3 6abc

31 (Baltic Way 2004) (abc = 1, a, b, c > 0, n N)

1 1 1
+ + 1
an + bn + 1 bn + cn + 1 cn + an + 1

32 (Junior Balkan 2004) ((x, y) R2 {(0, 0)})

2 2 x+y
2 2
2
x +y x xy + y 2

33 (IMO Short List 2004) (ab + bc + ca = 1, a, b, c > 0)

r r r
3 1 3 1 3 1 1
+ 6b + + 6c + + 6a
a b c abc

34 (APMO 2004) (a, b, c > 0)

(a2 + 2)(b2 + 2)(c2 + 2) 9(ab + bc + ca)

35 (USA 2004) (a, b, c > 0)

(a5 a2 + 3)(b5 b2 + 3)(c5 c2 + 3) (a + b + c)3

36 (Junior BMO 2003) (x, y, z > 1)

1 + x2 1 + y2 1 + z2
+ + 2
1 + y + z2 1 + z + x2 1 + x + y2

37 (USA 2003) (a, b, c > 0)

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

2 2
+ 2 2
+ 2 8
2a + (b + c) 2b + (c + a) 2c + (a + b)2
34 CHAPTER 6. PROBLEMS FROM OLYMPIADS

38 (Russia 2002) (x + y + z = 3, x, y, z > 0)

x + y + z xy + yz + zx

 
1 1 1 1
39 (Latvia 2002) 1+a4 + 1+b4 + 1+c4 + 1+d4 = 1, a, b, c, d > 0

abcd 3

40 (Albania 2002) (a, b, c > 0)

 
1+ 3 2 2 2 1 1 1 p
(a + b + c ) + + a + b + c + a2 + b2 + c2
3 3 a b c

41 (Belarus 2002) (a, b, c, d > 0)

p 2|ad bc| p p p
(a + c)2 + (b + d)2 + p a2 + b2 + c2 + d2 (a + c)2 + (b + d)2
(a + c)2 + (b + d)2

42 (Canada 2002) (a, b, c > 0)

a3 b3 c3
+ + a+b+c
bc ca ab

43 (Vietnam 2002, Dung Tran Nam) (a2 + b2 + c2 = 9, a, b, c R)

2(a + b + c) abc 10

44 (Bosnia and Hercegovina 2002) (a2 + b2 + c2 = 1, a, b, c R)

a2 b2 c2 3
+ +
1 + 2bc 1 + 2ca 1 + 2ab 5

45 (Junior BMO 2002) (a, b, c > 0)

1 1 1 27
+ +
b(a + b) c(b + c) a(c + a) 2(a + b + c)2
 35

46 (Greece 2002) (a2 + b2 + c2 = 1, a, b, c > 0)

a b c 3 2
+ + a a + b b + c c
b2 + 1 c2 + 1 a2 + 1 4

2
47 (Greece 2002) (bc 6= 0, 1c
bc 0, a, b, c R)

10(a2 + b2 + c2 bc3 ) 2ab + 5ac

48 (Taiwan 2002) a, b, c, d 0, 21


abcd a4 + b4 + c4 + d4

(1 a)(1 b)(1 c)(1 d) (1 a) + (1 b)4 + (1 c)4 + (1 d)4
4

49 (APMO 2002) ( x1 + 1
y + 1
z = 1, x, y, z > 0)

x + yz + y + zx + z + xy xyz + x+ y+ z

50 (Ireland 2001) (x + y = 2, x, y 0)

x2 y 2 (x2 + y 2 ) 2.

51 (BMO 2001) (a + b + c abc, a, b, c 0)

a2 + b2 + c2 3abc

52 (USA 2001) (a2 + b2 + c2 + abc = 4, a, b, c 0)

0 ab + bc + ca abc 2

53 (Columbia 2001) (x, y R)

3(x + y + 1)2 + 1 3xy

36 CHAPTER 6. PROBLEMS FROM OLYMPIADS

54 (KMO Winter Program Test 2001) (a, b, c > 0)

p p
(a2 b + b2 c + c2 a) (ab2 + bc2 + ca2 ) abc + 3 (a3 + abc) (b3 + abc) (c3 + abc)

55 (KMO Summer Program Test 2001) (a, b, c > 0)

p p p p
a4 + b4 + c4 + a2 b2 + b2 c2 + c2 a2 a3 b + b3 c + c3 a + ab3 + bc3 + ca3

56 (IMO 2001) (a, b, c > 0)

a b c
+ + 1
a2 + 8bc 2
b + 8ca 2
c + 8ab

6.1 Years 1996 2000

57 (IMO 2000, Titu Andreescu) (abc = 1, a, b, c > 0)

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

58 (Czech and Slovakia 2000) (a, b > 0)

s   r r
3 1 1 3 a 3 b
2(a + b) + +
a b b a

59 (Hong Kong 2000) (abc = 1, a, b, c > 0)

1 + ab2 1 + bc2 1 + ca2 18

3
+ 3
+ 3
3
c a b a + b3 + c3

60 (Czech Republic 2000) (m, n N, x [0, 1])

(1 xn )m + (1 (1 x)m )n 1
6.1. YEARS 1996 2000 37

61 (Macedonia 2000) (x, y, z > 0)

x2 + y 2 + z 2 2 (xy + yz)

62 (Russia 1999) (a, b, c > 0)

a2 + 2bc b2 + 2ca c2 + 2ab

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

63 (Belarus 1999) (a2 + b2 + c2 = 3, a, b, c > 0)

1 1 1 3
+ +
1 + ab 1 + bc 1 + ca 2

64 (Czech-Slovak Match 1999) (a, b, c > 0)

a b c
+ + 1
b + 2c c + 2a a + 2b

65 (Moldova 1999) (a, b, c > 0)

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

66 (United Kingdom 1999) (p + q + r = 1, p, q, r > 0)

7(pq + qr + rp) 2 + 9pqr

67 (Canada 1999) (x + y + z = 1, x, y, z 0)
4
x2 y + y 2 z + z 2 x
27

68 (Proposed for 1999 USAMO, [AB, pp.25]) (x, y, z > 1)

2
+2yz y 2 +2zx z 2 +2xy
xx y z (xyz)xy+yz+zx
38 CHAPTER 6. PROBLEMS FROM OLYMPIADS

69 (Turkey, 1999) (c b a 0)

(a + 3b)(b + 4c)(c + 2a) 60abc

70 (Macedonia 1999) (a2 + b2 + c2 = 1, a, b, c > 0)

1
a+b+c+ 4 3
abc

71 (Poland 1999) (a + b + c = 1, a, b, c > 0)

a2 + b2 + c2 + 2 3abc 1

72 (Canda 1999) (x + y + z = 1, x, y, z 0)
4
x2 y + y 2 z + z 2 x
27

 
1 1 1
73 (Iran 1998) x + y + z = 2, x, y, z > 1
p
x+y+z x1+ y1+ z1

74 (Belarus 1998, I. Gorodnin) (a, b, c > 0)

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

75 (APMO 1998) (a, b, c > 0)

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

1


76 (Poland 1998) a + b + c + d + e + f = 1, ace + bdf 108 a, b, c, d, e, f > 0

1
abc + bcd + cde + def + ef a + f ab
36
6.1. YEARS 1996 2000 39

77 (Korea 1998) (x + y + z = xyz, x, y, z > 0)

1 1 1 3
+p +
1 + x2 1+y 2 1 + z 2 2

78 (Hong Kong 1998) (a, b, c 1)

p
a 1 + b 1 + c 1 c(ab + 1)

79 (IMO Short List 1998) (xyz = 1, x, y, z > 0)

x3 y3 z3 3
+ +
(1 + y)(1 + z) (1 + z)(1 + x) (1 + x)(1 + y) 4

80 (Belarus 1997) (a, x, y, z > 0)

a+y a+z a+x a+z a+x a+y
x+ y+ z x+y+z x+ y+ z
a+x a+x a+y a+z a+y a+z

81 (Ireland 1997) (a + b + c abc, a, b, c 0)

a2 + b2 + c2 abc

82 (Iran 1997) (x1 x2 x3 x4 = 1, x1 , x2 , x3 , x4 > 0)

 
3 3 3 3 1 1 1 1
x1 + x2 + x3 + x4 max x1 + x2 + x3 + x4 , + + +
x1 x2 x3 x4

83 (Hong Kong 1997) (x, y, z > 0)

p
3+ 3 xyz(x + y + z + x2 + y 2 + z 2 )

9 (x2 + y 2 + z 2 )(xy + yz + zx)

84 (Belarus 1997) (a, b, c > 0)

a b c a+b b+c c+a
+ + + +
b c a c+a a+b b+c
40 CHAPTER 6. PROBLEMS FROM OLYMPIADS

85 (Bulgaria 1997) (abc = 1, a, b, c > 0)

1 1 1 1 1 1
+ + + +
1+a+b 1+b+c 1+c+a 2+a 2+b 2+c

86 (Romania 1997) (xyz = 1, x, y, z > 0)

x9 + y 9 y9 + z9 z 9 + x9
+ + 2
x6 + x3 y 3 + y 6 y6 + y3 z3 + z6 z 6 + z 3 x3 + x6

87 (Romania 1997) (a, b, c > 0)

a2 b2 c2 bc ca ab
+ 2 + 2 1 2 + +
a2 + 2bc b + 2ca c + 2ab a + 2bc b2 + 2ca c2 + 2ab

88 (USA 1997) (a, b, c > 0)

1 1 1 1
+ + .
a3 + b3 + abc b3 + c3 + abc c3 + a3 + abc abc

89 (Japan 1997) (a, b, c > 0)

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

+ +
(b + c)2 + a2 (c + a)2 + b2 (a + b)2 + c2 5

90 (Estonia 1997) (x, y R)

p p
x2 + y 2 + 1 > x y 2 + 1 + y x2 + 1

91 (APMC 1996) (x + y + z + t = 0, x2 + y 2 + z 2 + t2 = 1, x, y, z, t R)

1 xy + yz + zt + tx 0

92 (Spain 1996) (a, b, c > 0)

a2 + b2 + c2 ab bc ca 3(a b)(b c)
6.1. YEARS 1996 2000 41

93 (IMO Short List 1996) (abc = 1, a, b, c > 0)

ab bc ca
+ 5 + 5 1
a5 + b + ab b + c + bc c + a5 + ca
5 5

94 (Poland 1996) a + b + c = 1, a, b, c 34

a b c 9
+ 2 + 2
a2 +1 b +1 c +1 10

95 (Hungary 1996) (a + b = 1, a, b > 0)

a2 b2 1
+
a+1 b+1 3

96 (Vietnam 1996) (a, b, c R)

4 4
(a + b)4 + (b + c)4 + (c + a)4 a + b4 + c4


7

97 (Bearus 1996) (x + y + z = xyz, x, y, z > 0)

xy + yz + zx 9(x + y + z)

98 (Iran 1996) (a, b, c > 0)

 
1 1 1 9
(ab + bc + ca) 2
+ 2
+ 2

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

99 (Vietnam 1996) (2(ab + ac + ad + bc + bd + cd) + abc + bcd + cda + dab =

16, a, b, c, d 0)

2
a+b+c+d (ab + ac + ad + bc + bd + cd)
3
42 CHAPTER 6. PROBLEMS FROM OLYMPIADS

6.2 Years 1990 1995

Any good idea can be stated in fifty words or less. S. M. Ulam

100 (Baltic Way 1995) (a, b, c, d > 0)

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

+ + + 4
a+b b+c c+d d+a

101 (Canda 1995) (a, b, c > 0)

a+b+c
aa bb cc abc 3

102 (IMO 1995, Nazar Agakhanov) (abc = 1, a, b, c > 0)

1 1 1 3
+ +
a3 (b + c) b3 (c + a) c3 (a + b) 2

103 (Russia 1995) (x, y > 0)

1 x y
4 + 4
xy x + y2 y + x2

104 (Macedonia 1995) (a, b, c > 0)

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

105 (APMC 1995) (m, n N, x, y > 0)

(n1)(m1)(xn+m +y n+m )+(n+m1)(xn y m +xm y n ) nm(xn+m1 y+xy n+m1 )

106 (Hong Kong 1994) (xy + yz + zx = 1, x, y, z > 0)

2 2 2 2 2 4 3
2
x(1 y )(1 z ) + y(1 z )(1 x ) + z(1 x )(1 y )
9
6.2. YEARS 1990 1995 43

107 (IMO Short List 1993) (a, b, c, d > 0)

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

108 (APMC 1993) (a, b 0)

!2 u
v
3 3 3 3
!3
a+ b a + a2 b + ab2 + b a + ab + b u a2 + b2
t
2 4 3 2

109 (Poland 1993) (x, y, u, v > 0)

xy + xv + uy + uv xy uv
+
x+y+u+v x+y u+v

110 (IMO Short List 1993) (a + b + c + d = 1, a, b, c, d > 0)

1 176
abc + bcd + cda + dab + abcd
27 27

111 (Italy 1993) (0 a, b, c 1)

a2 + b2 + c2 a2 b + b2 c + c2 a + 1

112 (Poland 1992) (a, b, c R)

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

113 (Vietnam 1991) (x y z > 0)

x2 y y 2 z z2x
+ + x2 + y 2 + z 2
z x y

114 (Poland 1991) (x2 + y 2 + z 2 = 2, x, y, z R)

x + y + z 2 + xyz

115 (Mongolia 1991) (a2 + b2 + c2 = 2, a, b, c R)

|a3 + b3 + c3 abc| 2 2

116 (IMO Short List 1990) (ab + bc + cd + da = 1, a, b, c, d > 0)

a3 b3 c3 d3 1
+ + +
b+c+d c+d+a d+a+b a+b+c 3
44 CHAPTER 6. PROBLEMS FROM OLYMPIADS

6.3 Supplementary Problems

117 (Lithuania 1987) (x, y, z > 0)

x3 y3 z3 x+y+z
+ 2 + 2
x2 + xy + y 2 y + yz + z 2 z + zx + x2 3

118 (Yugoslavia 1987) (a, b > 0)

1 1
(a + b)2 + (a + b) a b + b a
2 4

119 (Yugoslavia 1984) (a, b, c, d > 0)

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

120 (IMO 1984) (x + y + z = 1, x, y, z 0)

7
0 xy + yz + zx 2xyz
27

121 (USA 1980) (a, b, c [0, 1])

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

122 (USA 1979) (x + y + z = 1, x, y, z > 0)

1
x3 + y 3 + z 3 + 6xyz .
4

123 (IMO 1974) (a, b, c, d > 0)

a b c d
1< + + + <2
a+b+d b+c+a b+c+d a+c+d
6.3. SUPPLEMENTARY PROBLEMS 45

124 (IMO 1968) (x1 , x2 > 0, y1 , y2 , z1 , z2 R, x1 y1 > z1 2 , x2 y2 > z2 2 )

1 1 8
+
x1 y1 z1 2 x2 y2 z2 2 (x1 + x2 )(y1 + y2 ) (z1 + z2 )2

125 (Nesbitts inequality) (a, b, c > 0)

a b c 3
+ +
b+c c+a a+b 2

126 (Polyas inequality) (a 6= b, a, b > 0)

 
1 a+b ln b ln a
2 ab +
3 2 ba

127 (Klamkins inequality) (1 < x, y, z < 1)

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

128 (Carlsons inequality) (a, b, c > 0)

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

8 3

129 ([ONI], Vasile Cirtoaje) (a, b, c > 0)

        
1 1 1 1 1 1
a+ 1 b+ 1 + b+ 1 c+ 1 + c+ 1 a+ 1 3
b c c a a b

130 ([ONI], Vasile Cirtoaje) (a, b, c, d > 0)

ab bc cd da
+ + + 0
b+c c+d d+a a+b
46 CHAPTER 6. PROBLEMS FROM OLYMPIADS

131 (Elemente der Mathematik, Problem 1207, Sefket Arslanagi
c)
(x, y, z > 0)
x y z x+y+z
+ + 3
y z x xyz

132 ( W U RZEL, Walther Janous) (x + y + z = 1, x, y, z > 0)

(1 + x)(1 + y)(1 + z) (1 x2 )2 + (1 y 2 )2 + (1 z 2 )2

urgen Seiffert) (xy > 0, x, y R)
133 ( W U RZEL, Heinz-J
r
2xy x2 + y 2 x+y
+ xy +
x+y 2 2

134 ( W U RZEL, Sefket Arslanagi
c) (a, b, c > 0)
3
a3 b3 c3 (a + b + c)
+ +
x y z 3 (x + y + z)

135 ( W U RZEL, Sefket Arslanagi
c) (abc = 1, a, b, c > 0)

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

136 ( W U RZEL, Peter Starek, Donauw
orth) (abc = 1, a, b, c > 0)

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

137 ( W U RZEL, Peter Starek, Donauworth) (x+y+z = 3, x2 +y 2 +z 2 =
7, x, y, z > 0)  
6 1 x y z
1+ + +
xyz 3 z x y
6.3. SUPPLEMENTARY PROBLEMS 47


138 ( W U RZEL, Sefket Arslanagi
c) (a, b, c > 0)

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

139 (a, b 0)

a3 (b + 1) + b3 (a + 1) a2 (b + b2 ) + b2 (a + a2 )

140 (Latvia 1997) (n N, a, b, c > 0)

1 1 1 n
+ + + <p
a + b a + 2b a + nb a(a + nb)

141 ([ONI], Gabriel Dospinescu, Mircea Lascu, Marian Tetiva) (a, b, c >
0)
a2 + b2 + c2 + 2abc + 3 (1 + a)(1 + b)(1 + c)

142 (Gazeta Matematic a) (a, b, c > 0)

p p p p p p
a4 + a2 b2 + b4 + b4 + b2 c2 + c4 + c4 + c2 a2 + a4 a 2a2 + bc+b 2b2 + ca+c 2c2 + ab

143 (C1 2362, Mohammed Aassila) (a, b, c > 0)

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

144 (C2580) (a, b, c > 0)

1 1 1 b+c c+a a+b
+ + 2 + +
a b c a + bc b2 + ca c2 + ab

145 (C2581) (a, b, c > 0)

a2 + bc b2 + ca c2 + ab
+ + a+b+c
b+c c+a a+b
1 CRUX with MAYHEM
48 CHAPTER 6. PROBLEMS FROM OLYMPIADS

146 (C2532) (a2 + b2 + c2 = 1, a, b, c > 0)

1 1 1 2(a3 + b3 + c3 )
+ + 3 +
a2 b2 c2 abc

147 (C3032, Vasile Cirtoaje) (a2 + b2 + c2 = 1, a, b, c > 0)

1 1 1 9
+ +
1 ab 1 bc 1 ca 2

148 (C2645) (a, b, c > 0)

2(a3 + b3 + c3 ) 9(a + b + c)2

+ 2 33
abc (a + b2 + c2 )

149 (x, y R)
1 (x + y)(1 xy) 1
2 2

2 (1 + x )(1 + y ) 2

150 (0 < x, y < 1)

xy + y x > 1

151 (x, y, z > 0)

|x y| + |y z| + |z x| x+y+z
3
xyz +
3 3

152 (a, b, c, x, y, z > 0)

p3

3
(a + x)(b + y)(c + z) abc + 3 xyz

153 (x, y, z > 0)

x y z
p + p + p 1
x+ (x + y)(x + z) y+ (y + z)(y + x) z+ (z + x)(z + y)
6.3. SUPPLEMENTARY PROBLEMS 49

154 (x + y + z = 1, x, y, z > 0)
r
x y z 3
+ +
1x 1y 1z 2

155 (a, b, c R)

p
2 2
p
2 2
p
2 2
3 2
a + (1 b) + b + (1 c) + c + (1 a)
2

156 (a, b, c > 0)

p p p
a2 ab + b2 + b2 bc + c2 a2 + ac + c2

157 (xy + yz + zx = 1, x, y, z > 0)

x y z 2x(1 x2 ) 2y(1 y 2 ) 2z(1 z 2 )

+ + + +
1 + x2 1 + y2 1 + z2 (1 + x2 )2 (1 + y 2 )2 (1 + z 2 )2

158 (x, y, z 0)

xyz (y + z x)(z + x y)(x + y z)

159 (a, b, c > 0)

p p p p
ab(a + b) + bc(b + c) + ca(c + a) 4abc + (a + b)(b + c)(c + a)

160 (Darij Grinberg) (x, y, z 0)

p p p  p
x (y + z) + y (z + x) + z (x + y) x + y + z 2 (y + z) (z + x) (x + y).

161 (Darij Grinberg) (x, y, z > 0)

y+z z+x x+y 4 (x + y + z)
+ + p .
x y z (y + z) (z + x) (x + y)
50 CHAPTER 6. PROBLEMS FROM OLYMPIADS

162 (Darij Grinberg) (a, b, c > 0)

a2 (b + c) b2 (c + a) c2 (a + b) 2
2 2
+ 2 2
+ 2 2
> .
(b + c ) (2a + b + c) (c + a ) (2b + c + a) (a + b ) (2c + a + b) 3

163 (Darij Grinberg) (a, b, c > 0)

a2 b2 c2 2
2 + 2 + 2 < .
2a2 + (b + c) 2b2 + (c + a) 2c2 + (a + b) 3

164 (Vasile Cirtoaje) (a, b, c R)

(a2 + b2 + c2 )2 3(a3 b + b3 c + c3 a)