Chapter

Mixed Inequality Sets

A recognition module for choosing methods: Cauchy, AM-GM, Holder, local estimates, Schur, discriminants, and pairwise differences.
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Theory

Key idea

In a mixed set, the statement no longer tells the student which method to use. The main task is to recognise the shape of the expression: fractions, powers, roots, symmetry, constraints, an extremal case, or a hidden identity.

Basic facts

This module uses AM-GM, Cauchy in Engel form, Holder, local estimates, Schur, identities for pairwise differences, and equality-case checking. Fractions with a manageable denominator sum often suggest Cauchy; cyclic cubes often suggest a local estimate; symmetric powers often suggest Schur or power means.

When to use this method

If denominators are sums, first try Cauchy. If the expression is homogeneous, check normalization. If \(a^3\), \(a^5\), and symmetry appear, look for Schur. If several numbers have distance conditions, sum the squares of all pairwise differences.

How to recognise the method

The phrase “for all real \(x\)” often leads to the discriminant. Roots of the form \(\sqrt{u^2+3v^2}\) can be compared with \(u+v\). Inequalities involving \(a+b+c\) and \(abc\) often need AM-GM or Schur. If equality is expected at \(a=b=c\), look for an estimate that becomes equality there.

Typical mistakes

Do not apply the strongest familiar method mechanically. A common mistake is getting a true but too weak estimate. Another is forgetting that multiplying by a negative factor reverses the inequality. In mixed problems, always check whether the equality case matches the statement.

Mini-checklist

1. Is the expression homogeneous? 2. Is there a natural equality case? 3. Can Cauchy be applied to the fractions? 4. Is a local estimate available for one term? 5. Is Schur or a power mean needed? 6. Is there a hidden identity for pairwise differences?

Examples

Example 1. Direct Cauchy

This example recalls that the method is sometimes visible from the denominator sum.

Problem. Prove \(\sum\frac{a}{b+c}\ge\frac32\) for \(a,b,c>0\).

Solution.

By Cauchy, \(\sum\frac{a}{b+c}=\sum\frac{a^2}{a(b+c)}\ge\frac{(a+b+c)^2}{2(ab+bc+ca)}\ge\frac32\).

Example 2. Local estimate

Sometimes one term must be replaced by a linear expression.

Problem. Prove \(\frac{x^3}{x^2+xy+y^2}\ge\frac{2x-y}{3}\) for \(x,y>0\).

Solution.

After multiplying by the positive denominator, we need \(3x^3\ge(2x-y)(x^2+xy+y^2)\). The difference is \((x-y)^2(x+y)\ge0\).

Example 3. Tangent estimate

This move is useful when the sum of variables is fixed.

Problem. Prove for \(x\ge0\): \(\frac1{1+x^2}\ge\frac{2-x}{2}\).

Solution.

The difference equals \(\frac{x(x-1)^2}{2(1+x^2)}\ge0\).

Example 4. Holder for fractions

A cube in the numerator often suggests Holder.

Problem. Prove \(\sum\frac{a^3}{b^2+bc+c^2}\ge\frac{a+b+c}{3}\).

Solution.

By Holder, \(\sum\frac{a^3}{b^2+bc+c^2}\ge\frac{(a+b+c)^3}{2(a^2+b^2+c^2)+ab+bc+ca}\). Since \(3(a+b+c)^2\ge2(a^2+b^2+c^2)+ab+bc+ca\), the result follows.

Example 5. Schur as symmetry recognition

When powers are symmetric, it is not always necessary to expand everything by hand.

Problem. Prove \(a^3+b^3+c^3+3abc\ge\sum_{\mathrm{sym}}a^2b\).

Solution.

This is Schur of degree \(3\): \(\sum a(a-b)(a-c)\ge0\). Expanding gives exactly the stated inequality.

Example 6. Pairwise differences

A distance condition between numbers is rarely used one pair at a time.

Problem. For \(x_1,\ldots,x_n\), prove \(\sum_{i

Solution.

Expand the squares: each \(x_i^2\) appears \(n-1\) times, and the mixed terms give \(-2\sum_{i

Example 7. Root with sign direction

Here the sign of the multiplier must not be lost.

Problem. Prove \((v-u)\sqrt{u^2+3v^2}\ge v^2-u^2\) for \(u,v>0\).

Solution.

If \(v\ge u\), then \(\sqrt{u^2+3v^2}\ge u+v\). If \(v\le u\), then \(\sqrt{u^2+3v^2}\le u+v\), but \(v-u\le0\), so the direction reverses after multiplication. In both cases \((v-u)\sqrt{u^2+3v^2}\ge(v-u)(u+v)\).

Example 8. Discriminant move

The phrase “positive for all \(x\)” almost always carries discriminant information.

Problem. If \(Ax^2+Bx+C>0\) for all real \(x\), prove \(Cx^2+Bx+A>0\) for all real \(x\).

Solution.

We have \(A>0\), \(C=P(0)>0\), and the discriminant \(B^2-4AC<0\). The reversed quadratic has leading coefficient \(C>0\) and the same discriminant, so it is also positive for all \(x\).

Problems

Problems

#11.1
#11.1

Nesbitt as Cauchy

Fractions Grade 9 Grade 10 ★★★☆☆

Prove for \(a,b,c>0\): \[\frac{a}{b+c}+\frac{b}{c+a}+\frac{c}{a+b}\ge\frac32.\]

Details
Problem: ALG-B2-M11-P001
Difficulty: Level 3 of 5
Tag: Fractions
Grade: Grade 9, Grade 10
#11.2
#11.2

Half of the sum

Fractions Grade 9 Grade 10 ★★★☆☆

Prove for \(a,b,c>0\): \[\frac{a^2}{a+b}+\frac{b^2}{b+c}+\frac{c^2}{c+a}\ge\frac{a+b+c}{2}.\]

Details
Problem: ALG-B2-M11-P002
Difficulty: Level 3 of 5
Tag: Fractions
Grade: Grade 9, Grade 10
#11.3
#11.3

Fractions with a reverse cycle

AM-GM Grade 9 Grade 10 ★★★☆☆

Prove for \(a,b,c>0\): \[\frac{a^2}{b}+\frac{b^2}{c}+\frac{c^2}{a}\ge a+b+c.\]

Details
Problem: ALG-B2-M11-P003
Difficulty: Level 3 of 5
Tag: AM-GM
Grade: Grade 9, Grade 10
#11.4
#11.4

Two sums with fixed product

AM-GM Grade 9 Grade 10 ★★★☆☆

Let \(a,b,c>0\) and \(abc=1\). Prove \[a+b+c+ab+bc+ca\ge6.\]

Details
Problem: ALG-B2-M11-P004
Difficulty: Level 3 of 5
Tag: AM-GM
Grade: Grade 9, Grade 10
#11.5
#11.5

Product of pairwise sums

Product Estimate Grade 9 Grade 10 ★★★☆☆

Prove for \(a,b,c>0\): \[(a+b)(b+c)(c+a)\ge8abc.\]

Details
Problem: ALG-B2-M11-P005
Difficulty: Level 3 of 5
Tag: Product Estimate
Grade: Grade 9, Grade 10
#11.6
#11.6

Squares in a cycle

Fractions Grade 9 Grade 10 ★★★★☆

Prove for \(a,b,c>0\): \[\frac{a^2}{a^2+b^2}+\frac{b^2}{b^2+c^2}+\frac{c^2}{c^2+a^2}\ge1.\]

Details
Problem: ALG-B2-M11-P006
Difficulty: Level 4 of 5
Tag: Fractions
Grade: Grade 9, Grade 10
#11.7
#11.7

Sum equal to one

Fixed Sum Grade 9 Grade 10 ★★★★☆

Let \(a,b,c>0\), \(a+b+c=1\). Prove \[\frac{a^2}{a+b}+\frac{b^2}{b+c}+\frac{c^2}{c+a}\ge\frac12.\]

Details
Problem: ALG-B2-M11-P007
Difficulty: Level 4 of 5
Tag: Fixed Sum
Grade: Grade 9, Grade 10
#11.8
#11.8

Cube and a quadratic denominator

Cyclic Sums Grade 9 Grade 10 ★★★★☆

Prove for \(a,b,c>0\): \[\sum_{\mathrm{cyc}}\frac{a^3}{a^2+ab+b^2}\ge\frac{a+b+c}{3}.\]

Details
Problem: ALG-B2-M11-P008
Difficulty: Level 4 of 5
Tag: Cyclic Sums
Grade: Grade 9, Grade 10
#11.9
#11.9

Three shifted denominators

Fixed Sum Grade 9 Grade 10 ★★★★☆

Let \(a,b,c\ge0\), \(a+b+c=3\). Prove \[\frac1{a+2}+\frac1{b+2}+\frac1{c+2}\ge1.\]

Details
Problem: ALG-B2-M11-P009
Difficulty: Level 4 of 5
Tag: Fixed Sum
Grade: Grade 9, Grade 10
#11.10
#11.10

Two factors in the denominator

Fractions Grade 9 Grade 10 ★★★★☆

Prove for \(a,b,c>0\): \[\sum_{\mathrm{cyc}}\frac{a^2}{(a+b)(a+c)}\ge\frac34.\]

Details
Problem: ALG-B2-M11-P010
Difficulty: Level 4 of 5
Tag: Fractions
Grade: Grade 9, Grade 10
#11.11
#11.11

Tangent estimate

Fixed Sum Grade 10 Grade 11 ★★★★★

Let \(a,b,c\ge0\), \(a+b+c=3\). Prove \[\frac1{1+a^2}+\frac1{1+b^2}+\frac1{1+c^2}\ge\frac32.\]

Details
Problem: ALG-B2-M11-P011
Difficulty: Level 5 of 5
Tag: Fixed Sum
Grade: Grade 10, Grade 11
#11.12
#11.12

Roots of pairs

Radicals Grade 10 Grade 11 ★★★★★

Let \(a,b,c\ge0\), \(a+b+c=3\). Prove \[\sqrt{a^2+ab+b^2}+\sqrt{b^2+bc+c^2}+\sqrt{c^2+ca+a^2}\ge3\sqrt{3}.\]

Details
Problem: ALG-B2-M11-P012
Difficulty: Level 5 of 5
Tag: Radicals
Grade: Grade 10, Grade 11
#11.13
#11.13

Holder with a cyclic denominator

Cyclic Sums Grade 10 Grade 11 ★★★★★

Prove for \(a,b,c>0\): \[\sum_{\mathrm{cyc}}\frac{a^3}{b^2+bc+c^2}\ge\frac{a+b+c}{3}.\]

Details
Problem: ALG-B2-M11-P013
Difficulty: Level 5 of 5
Tag: Cyclic Sums
Grade: Grade 10, Grade 11
#11.14
#11.14

Third-degree Schur

Schur Grade 10 Grade 11 ★★★★★

Prove for \(a,b,c\ge0\): \[a^3+b^3+c^3+3abc\ge\sum_{\mathrm{sym}}a^2b.\]

Details
Problem: ALG-B2-M11-P014
Difficulty: Level 5 of 5
Tag: Schur
Grade: Grade 10, Grade 11
#11.15
#11.15

A compound denominator

Cauchy Grade 10 Grade 11 ★★★★★

Prove for \(a,b,c>0\): \[\sum_{\mathrm{cyc}}\frac{a^2}{b^2+c^2+a(b+c)}\ge\frac12.\]

Details
Problem: ALG-B2-M11-P015
Difficulty: Level 5 of 5
Tag: Cauchy
Grade: Grade 10, Grade 11
#11.16
#11.16

Reversed quadratic

Discriminant Grade 10 Grade 11 ★★★★★

Let \(A x^2+Bx+C>0\) for all real \(x\). Prove that \(C x^2+Bx+A>0\) for all real \(x\).

Details
Problem: ALG-B2-M11-P016
Difficulty: Level 5 of 5
Tag: Discriminant
Grade: Grade 10, Grade 11
#11.17
#11.17

Cyclic root

Telescoping Grade 10 Grade 11 ★★★★★

Let \(x_1,x_2,x_3,x_4>0\), and let \(x_5=x_1\). Prove \[\sum_{i=1}^4 (x_{i+1}-x_i)\sqrt{x_i^2+3x_{i+1}^2}\ge0.\]

Details
Problem: ALG-B2-M11-P017
Difficulty: Level 5 of 5
Tag: Telescoping
Grade: Grade 10, Grade 11
#11.18
#11.18

Squares and cubes

Cauchy Grade 10 Grade 11 ★★★★★

Prove for \(a,b,c\ge0\): \[(a^2+b^2+c^2)^3\ge(a^3+b^3+c^3)^2.\]

Details
Problem: ALG-B2-M11-P018
Difficulty: Level 5 of 5
Tag: Cauchy
Grade: Grade 10, Grade 11
#11.19
#11.19

Fifth-degree Schur

Power Sums Grade 10 Grade 11 ★★★★★

Prove for \(a,b,c\ge0\): \[\sum a^5+abc(a^2+b^2+c^2)\ge\sum_{\mathrm{sym}}a^4b.\]

Details
Problem: ALG-B2-M11-P019
Difficulty: Level 5 of 5
Tag: Power Sums
Grade: Grade 10, Grade 11
#11.20
#11.20

Five separated numbers

Constraints Grade 10 Grade 11 ★★★★★

Let \(x_1,\ldots,x_5\) be real numbers such that any two of them differ by at least \(d>0\). If \(\sum_{i=1}^5x_i=0\), prove \[\sum_{i=1}^5x_i^2\ge10d^2.\]

Details
Problem: ALG-B2-M11-P020
Difficulty: Level 5 of 5
Tag: Constraints
Grade: Grade 10, Grade 11

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