One incorrect swap
Let \(a\le b\) and \(x\le y\). Prove that \(ax+by\ge ay+bx\).
Hint. Move everything to one side and factor two terms.
We have \(ax+by-ay-bx=(b-a)(y-x)\). Both factors are nonnegative, so the difference is nonnegative.
Chapter
Theory
If two sequences are sorted in the same order, pairing them term by term gives the largest possible product sum. If they are sorted in opposite orders, the product sum is smallest. Chebyshev's inequality turns this ordering idea into an estimate for the average product.
Rearrangement inequality. If \(a_1\le\cdots\le a_n\) and \(b_1\le\cdots\le b_n\), then for any permutation \(\sigma\)
\[\sum_{i=1}^n a_i b_i\ge \sum_{i=1}^n a_i b_{\sigma(i)}\ge \sum_{i=1}^n a_i b_{n+1-i}.\]
Chebyshev's inequality. For similarly ordered sequences,
\[\frac1n\sum_{i=1}^n a_i b_i\ge \left(\frac1n\sum_{i=1}^n a_i\right)\left(\frac1n\sum_{i=1}^n b_i\right).\]
Use the method when a problem involves ordering, permutations, a maximum or minimum product sum, or power sums such as \(\sum a_i^{m+1}\), which can be viewed as products \(a_i^m\cdot a_i\).
Look for two monotone sequences: \(a_i\) and \(a_i^2\), \(a_i^2\) and \(a_i^3\), numbers and their reciprocals in the opposite order, or coefficients and variables with zero sum. If the expression changes when letters are permuted, rearrangement is often worth testing.
Do not apply the inequality before checking the order. Reciprocals have the opposite order. In symmetric problems one may rename variables first, but in cyclic expressions this must be done carefully: after renaming, the cyclic sum is only some permutation of products.
1. Which two sequences should be ordered? 2. Are they similarly or oppositely ordered? 3. Is the goal a maximum, a minimum, or an average estimate? 4. Can the cyclic sum be treated as an arbitrary permutation? 5. When can equality occur?
Examples
The first step of the method is understanding why the correct pairing is better than the incorrect one.
Problem. Let \(a\le b\) and \(x\le y\). Prove that \(ax+by\ge ay+bx\).
Subtract the right side from the left side:
\[ax+by-ay-bx=(b-a)(y-x)\ge0.\]
One adjacent swap cannot increase the sum once the order is already correct.
Any permutation can be repaired by a sequence of adjacent swaps.
Problem. If \(a\le b\le c\) and \(x\le y\le z\), show that the maximum of \(ap+bq+cr\), where \(p,q,r\) is a permutation of \(x,y,z\), is \(ax+by+cz\).
If a larger coefficient is paired with a smaller variable and a smaller coefficient with a larger variable, swapping them increases the sum by \((b-a)(y-x)\ge0\). Repeating such swaps gives the same order. Hence the maximum is \(ax+by+cz\).
Chebyshev is the average form of rearrangement.
Problem. Let \(a\le b\le c\) and \(x\le y\le z\). Prove \[3(ax+by+cz)\ge(a+b+c)(x+y+z).\]
Expanding the difference gives
\[3\sum ax-\sum a\sum x=(b-a)(y-x)+(c-a)(z-x)+(c-b)(z-y)\ge0.\]
Reciprocals reverse the order.
Powers automatically preserve the order.
Problem. Prove for \(x,y,z\ge0\): \[3(x^3+y^3+z^3)\ge(x+y+z)(x^2+y^2+z^2).\]
Reorder the numbers so that \(x\le y\le z\). Then \(x^2\le y^2\le z^2\). By Chebyshev,
\[\frac{x^3+y^3+z^3}{3}\ge\frac{x+y+z}{3}\cdot\frac{x^2+y^2+z^2}{3}.\]
A cyclic sum is often just one of the possible permutations.
Problem. Prove for \(a,b,c>0\): \[a^4+b^4+c^4\ge a^3b+b^3c+c^3a.\]
Order \(a,b,c\) as \(u_1\le u_2\le u_3\). Then \(u_1^3\le u_2^3\le u_3^3\). The largest product sum \(u_i^3\cdot u_{\sigma(i)}\) is \(\sum u_i^4\). The right side is one of these permutations, so it is not larger than the left side.
Chebyshev often turns a zero-sum condition into the sign of a dot product.
Problem. Let \(a\le b\le c\), \(x\le y\le z\), and \(x+y+z=0\). Prove that \(ax+by+cz\ge0\) if \(a+b+c\ge0\).
By Chebyshev, \(3(ax+by+cz)\ge(a+b+c)(x+y+z)=0\). Hence \(ax+by+cz\ge0\).
In permutation problems, it is important to know when every swap gives zero gain.
Problem. For \(a\le b\le c\) and \(x\le y\le z\), find when \(ax+by+cz=az+by+cx\).
The difference is \((c-a)(z-x)\). Therefore equality holds if and only if \(a=c\) or \(x=z\), meaning one of the sequences is constant at the extreme positions.
Problems
Let \(a\le b\) and \(x\le y\). Prove that \(ax+by\ge ay+bx\).
Hint. Move everything to one side and factor two terms.
We have \(ax+by-ay-bx=(b-a)(y-x)\). Both factors are nonnegative, so the difference is nonnegative.
Let \(a\le b\le c\) and \(x\le y\le z\). Prove that \(az+by+cx\le ax+by+cz\).
Hint. The middle term is the same. Compare only the pairs \(a,c\) and \(x,z\).
The difference between the right and left sides is \(ax+cz-az-cx=(c-a)(z-x)\ge0\). Hence the inequality holds.
Let \(a\le b\le c\) and \(x\le y\le z\). Prove \[ay+bz+cx\le ax+by+cz.\]
Hint. First swap \(z\) and \(x\) at the coefficients \(b,c\), then swap \(y\) and \(x\) at the coefficients \(a,b\).
By the one-swap inequality, \(bz+cx\le bx+cz\), since \(b\le c\) and \(x\le z\). Also \(ay+bx\le ax+by\), since \(a\le b\) and \(x\le y\). Adding gives the result.
Let \(a\le b\le c\) and \(x\le y\le z\). Prove \[3(ax+by+cz)\ge(a+b+c)(x+y+z).\]
Hint. Use the formula with pairwise differences.
Expanding the difference gives \[3\sum ax-\sum a\sum x=(b-a)(y-x)+(c-a)(z-x)+(c-b)(z-y).\] Every term on the right is nonnegative because both sequences are increasing.
Prove for \(a,b,c\ge0\): \[a^2+b^2+c^2\ge ab+bc+ca.\]
Hint. Order the numbers and compare the correctly paired product sum with a cyclic permutation.
Order \(a,b,c\) as \(u_1\le u_2\le u_3\). By rearrangement, \(u_1^2+u_2^2+u_3^2\) is the largest among sums \(\sum u_i u_{\sigma(i)}\). The sum \(ab+bc+ca\) is one of these permutations, so it is not larger than the sum of squares.
Let \(a\le b\le c\le d\) and \(x\le y\le z\le t\). Prove that for any permutation \(p,q,r,s\) of \(x,y,z,t\), \[ap+bq+cr+ds\le ax+by+cz+dt.\]
Hint. If two elements are in the wrong order, an adjacent swap does not decrease the sum.
If for \(i
Prove for \(x,y,z\ge0\): \[3(x^3+y^3+z^3)\ge(x+y+z)(x^2+y^2+z^2).\]
Hint. Order \(x,y,z\). Then \(x\) and \(x^2\) are ordered in the same way.
After renaming, assume \(x\le y\le z\). Then \(x^2\le y^2\le z^2\). By Chebyshev, \[\frac{x^3+y^3+z^3}{3}\ge\frac{x+y+z}{3}\cdot\frac{x^2+y^2+z^2}{3}.\] Multiplying by \(9\) gives the result.
Prove for \(a,b,c,d\ge0\): \[4(a^3+b^3+c^3+d^3)\ge(a+b+c+d)(a^2+b^2+c^2+d^2).\]
Hint. Apply Chebyshev to \(a,b,c,d\) and \(a^2,b^2,c^2,d^2\) after ordering.
Order the numbers increasingly. Their squares have the same order. By Chebyshev, \[\frac{\sum a^3}{4}\ge\frac{\sum a}{4}\cdot\frac{\sum a^2}{4}.\] Multiplying by \(16\) gives the inequality.
Prove for \(a,b,c>0\): \[a^3+b^3+c^3\ge a^2b+b^2c+c^2a.\]
Hint. Consider the ordered sequences \(u_i^2\) and \(u_i\).
Let \(u_1\le u_2\le u_3\) be \(a,b,c\) in increasing order. Then \(u_1^2\le u_2^2\le u_3^2\). By rearrangement, the largest sum \(\sum u_i^2u_{\sigma(i)}\) is \(\sum u_i^3\). The right side of the original inequality is one such permutation, so it is not larger.
Prove for \(a,b,c>0\): \[a^4+b^4+c^4\ge a^3b+b^3c+c^3a.\]
Hint. After ordering, compare products \(u_i^3\cdot u_{\sigma(i)}\).
Order \(a,b,c\) as \(u_1\le u_2\le u_3\). Then \(u_1^3\le u_2^3\le u_3^3\). By rearrangement, the largest product sum \(u_i^3\cdot u_{\sigma(i)}\) is \(u_1^4+u_2^4+u_3^4\). The right side is one of these permutations.
Prove for \(a,b,c\ge0\): \[a^3+b^3+c^3\ge\frac{(a+b+c)^3}{9}.\]
Hint. First apply Chebyshev to \(a\) and \(a^2\), then use \(a^2+b^2+c^2\ge\frac{(a+b+c)^2}{3}\).
From the cube inequality, \[3\sum a^3\ge\left(\sum a\right)\left(\sum a^2\right).\] Also, \(\sum a^2\ge\frac{(\sum a)^2}{3}\). Therefore \[3\sum a^3\ge \sum a\cdot\frac{(\sum a)^2}{3}=\frac{(\sum a)^3}{3},\] so \(\sum a^3\ge\frac{(\sum a)^3}{9}\).
Let \(a\le b\le c\), \(x\le y\le z\), \(x+y+z=0\), and \(a+b+c\ge0\). Prove that \(ax+by+cz\ge0\).
Hint. In Chebyshev, the right side contains the factor \(x+y+z\).
By Chebyshev, \[\frac{ax+by+cz}{3}\ge\frac{a+b+c}{3}\cdot\frac{x+y+z}{3}=0.\] Hence \(ax+by+cz\ge0\).
Hint. Compare two permutations of the sequences \(a,b,c\) and \(\frac1c,\frac1b,\frac1a\).
The sequences \(a,b,c\) and \(\frac1c,\frac1b,\frac1a\) are both increasing. Therefore \(\frac ac+\frac bb+\frac ca\) is the maximum among all permutations. The sum \(\frac ab+\frac ba+\frac cc\) is one such permutation, so it is not larger.
Let \(a\le b\le c\) and \(x\le y\le z\). Among all permutations \(p,q,r\) of \(x,y,z\), find the maximum and minimum of \(ap+bq+cr\).
Hint. The maximum occurs in the same order, the minimum in the opposite order.
By rearrangement, the maximum is \(ax+by+cz\), and the minimum is \(az+by+cx\). If some elements among \(a,b,c\) or \(x,y,z\) are equal, several permutations may give the maximum or minimum.
Let \(a\le b\le c\) and \(x\le y\le z\). Prove the identity \[3(ax+by+cz)-(a+b+c)(x+y+z)=(b-a)(y-x)+(c-a)(z-x)+(c-b)(z-y).\] Deduce Chebyshev for three terms from it.
Hint. Expand the right side and collect the coefficients of \(x,y,z\).
Expanding the right side, the coefficient of \(x\) is \(-b+a-c+a=2a-b-c\), the coefficient of \(y\) is \(b-a-c+b=-a+2b-c\), and the coefficient of \(z\) is \(c-a+c-b=-a-b+2c\). This matches the left side. Since every difference on the right is nonnegative, the left side is nonnegative, which gives Chebyshev.
Prove for \(a,b,c,d>0\): \[a^4+b^4+c^4+d^4\ge a^3b+b^3c+c^3d+d^3a.\]
Hint. Order the numbers as \(u_1\le u_2\le u_3\le u_4\). The right side becomes some permutation of products \(u_i^3\cdot u_j\).
After ordering, the sequences \(u_i^3\) and \(u_i\) have the same order. By rearrangement, the largest product sum \(u_i^3\cdot u_{\sigma(i)}\) is \(\sum u_i^4\). The cyclic right side is one of the permutations, so it is not larger than \(\sum u_i^4\).
Let \(a_1\le a_2\le\cdots\le a_n\), \(b_1\le b_2\le\cdots\le b_n\), and \(\sum_{i=1}^n a_i=\sum_{i=1}^n b_i=0\). Prove \[\sum_{i=1}^n a_i b_i\ge0.\]
Hint. Apply Chebyshev in its general form.
Since the sequences are similarly ordered, Chebyshev gives \[\frac1n\sum_{i=1}^n a_i b_i\ge\left(\frac1n\sum_{i=1}^n a_i\right)\left(\frac1n\sum_{i=1}^n b_i\right)=0.\] Hence \(\sum a_i b_i\ge0\).
Prove for \(a,b,c\ge0\): \[3(a^5+b^5+c^5)\ge(a^2+b^2+c^2)(a^3+b^3+c^3).\]
Hint. Order the numbers. The sequences \(a^2,b^2,c^2\) and \(a^3,b^3,c^3\) have the same order.
After ordering, \(a^2,b^2,c^2\) and \(a^3,b^3,c^3\) increase together. By Chebyshev, \[\frac{a^5+b^5+c^5}{3}\ge\frac{a^2+b^2+c^2}{3}\cdot\frac{a^3+b^3+c^3}{3}.\] Multiplying by \(9\) gives the result.
Let \(x_1,\ldots,x_n\ge0\), and let \(m\) be a positive integer. Prove \[\sum_{i=1}^n x_i^{m+1}\ge\frac1n\left(\sum_{i=1}^n x_i^m\right)\left(\sum_{i=1}^n x_i\right).\]
Hint. Order the \(x_i\). Then \(x_i^m\) has the same order.
Reorder the numbers so that \(x_1\le\cdots\le x_n\). Then \(x_1^m\le\cdots\le x_n^m\). Chebyshev gives \[\frac1n\sum x_i^{m+1}\ge\left(\frac1n\sum x_i^m\right)\left(\frac1n\sum x_i\right).\] Multiplying by \(n\) gives the result.
Prove for \(a,b,c>0\): \[a^5+b^5+c^5\ge a^4b+b^4c+c^4a.\]
Hint. This is rearrangement for \(u_i^4\) and \(u_i\).
Order \(a,b,c\) as \(u_1\le u_2\le u_3\). Then \(u_i^4\) are ordered in the same way. The maximum of \(\sum u_i^4u_{\sigma(i)}\) is \(\sum u_i^5\). The right side is one of the permutations, so it is not larger.
Prove for \(a,b,c>0\): \[a^6+b^6+c^6\ge a^4b^2+b^4c^2+c^4a^2.\]
Hint. Compare the similarly ordered sequences \(u_i^4\) and \(u_i^2\).
After ordering \(a,b,c\), we have \(u_1^2\le u_2^2\le u_3^2\) and \(u_1^4\le u_2^4\le u_3^4\). By rearrangement, the largest sum \(u_i^4u_{\sigma(i)}^2\) is \(\sum u_i^6\). The right side corresponds to one permutation, so it is not larger than the left side.
Prove for \(a,b,c\ge0\): \[a^5+b^5+c^5\ge\frac{(a+b+c)^5}{81}.\]
Hint. Use a chain involving \(\sum a^5\), \(\sum a^3\), \(\sum a^2\), and \(\sum a\).
By Chebyshev for \(a^2\) and \(a^3\), \[3\sum a^5\ge(\sum a^2)(\sum a^3).\] Also \(3\sum a^3\ge(\sum a)(\sum a^2)\), and \(\sum a^2\ge\frac{(\sum a)^2}{3}\). Hence \(\sum a^3\ge\frac{(\sum a)^3}{9}\). Substituting this and using \(\sum a^2\ge\frac{(\sum a)^2}{3}\) again, we get \[3\sum a^5\ge\frac{(\sum a)^2}{3}\cdot\frac{(\sum a)^3}{9}=\frac{(\sum a)^5}{27}.\] Therefore \(\sum a^5\ge\frac{(\sum a)^5}{81}\).
Let \(x_1\le x_2\le\cdots\le x_n\) and \(x_1+x_2+\cdots+x_n=0\). Prove \[\sum_{i=1}^n i\,x_i\ge0.\]
Hint. The sequences \(1,2,\ldots,n\) and \(x_1,\ldots,x_n\) are similarly ordered.
By Chebyshev, \[\frac1n\sum_{i=1}^n i\,x_i\ge\left(\frac1n\sum_{i=1}^n i\right)\left(\frac1n\sum_{i=1}^n x_i\right)=0.\] Therefore \(\sum i x_i\ge0\).
Let \(a_1,a_2,\ldots,a_n>0\), and let \(\sigma\) be any permutation of \(1,2,\ldots,n\). Prove \[\sum_{i=1}^n a_i^{m+1}\ge\sum_{i=1}^n a_i^m a_{\sigma(i)}\] for every positive integer \(m\).
Hint. Order the \(a_i\). Then \(a_i^m\) are ordered in the same way, and the right side is one of the product permutations.
Reorder the numbers as \(u_1\le\cdots\le u_n\). Then \(u_1^m\le\cdots\le u_n^m\). By rearrangement, the maximum of \(\sum u_i^m u_{\tau(i)}\) is attained at \(\tau(i)=i\), and equals \(\sum u_i^{m+1}\). The right side of the original inequality corresponds to some permutation \(\tau\), so it is not larger.
Ladders