Chapter

Homogeneous Inequalities

The module teaches degree checking, choosing a normalization, homogenizing constants, and returning to the original scale.
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Theory

Key idea

A homogeneous inequality keeps its essential form when all variables are multiplied by the same positive number. Therefore we may choose a convenient normalization: \(a+b+c=1\), \(abc=1\), \(a+b+c=3\), or \(c=1\).

Basic facts

An expression has degree \(d\) if replacing \(a,b,c\) by \(ta,tb,tc\) multiplies it by \(t^d\). An inequality is homogeneous if both sides have the same degree. For example, \(\sum a^2\ge ab+bc+ca\) has degree \(2\), while \(\sum a/(b+c)\ge3/2\) has degree \(0\).

When to use this method

Normalization is useful when the expression is bulky but all terms have the same degree. Fix the sum for problems involving \(a+b+c\), fix the product for problems involving \(abc\), and fix one variable for two-variable or degree-zero fraction problems.

How to recognise the method

Check what happens under \(a,b,c\to ta,tb,tc\). If both sides are multiplied by the same factor, normalization is allowed. If a constant appears, make sure the expression has degree \(0\), or first homogenize the constant using \(a+b+c\), \(abc\), or another fixed quantity.

Typical mistakes

Do not set \(a+b+c=1\) in a nonhomogeneous inequality. Do not set \(abc=1\) if variables may be zero. Another mistake is forgetting to return to the original form after normalization or losing the equality case.

Mini-checklist

1. What is the degree of each side? 2. Are all variables positive? 3. Which normalization simplifies the expression? 4. What happens to equality? 5. Must a constant be homogenized first?

Examples

Example 1. Checking degree

Problem. Find the degree of \(\frac{a^2}{b+c}\), \(\frac{a}{b+c}\), \(abc(a+b+c)\).

Solution.

The first has degree \(1\), the second degree \(0\), and the third degree \(4\). This is seen after replacing \(a,b,c\) by \(ta,tb,tc\).

Example 2. Sum normalization

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

Solution.

The inequality is homogeneous of degree \(2\). We may set \(a+b+c=1\). Then we need \(\sum a^2\ge1/3\), which follows from Cauchy: \((a+b+c)^2\le3\sum a^2\).

Example 3. Product normalization

Problem. Prove \(a+b+c\ge3\sqrt[3]{abc}\).

Solution.

If \(abc>0\), divide the variables by \(\sqrt[3]{abc}\) and obtain a new triple with product \(1\). Then the problem becomes \(x+y+z\ge3\), which is AM-GM.

Example 4. Degree zero

Problem. Prove \(\frac{a}{b+c}+\frac{b}{c+a}+\frac{c}{a+b}\ge\frac32\).

Solution.

The expression has degree \(0\), so we may set \(a+b+c=1\). Then \(b+c=1-a\), and the inequality becomes \(\sum\frac{a}{1-a}\ge3/2\), which follows from Nesbitt or Cauchy.

Example 5. Homogenizing a constant

Problem. If \(a+b+c=1\), prove \(ab+bc+ca\le\frac13\).

Solution.

In homogeneous form, this is \(ab+bc+ca\le\frac{(a+b+c)^2}{3}\), or \(3q\le p^2\). This is true because \(p^2-3q=\frac12\sum(a-b)^2\ge0\).

Example 6. Normalizing one variable

Problem. Why may we set \(b=1\) in the inequality \(\frac{a^2+b^2}{ab}\ge2\)?

Solution.

The expression has degree \(0\): replacing \(a,b\) by \(ta,tb\) does not change it. Thus we may divide both variables by \(b\) and get \(x=a/b\), \(b=1\).

Example 7. Degree-one fractions

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

Solution.

By Cauchy, \(\sum\frac{a^2}{b+c}\ge\frac{(a+b+c)^2}{2(a+b+c)}=\frac{a+b+c}{2}\). Homogeneity explains why we could have set \(a+b+c=1\) first.

Example 8. Checking whether normalization is allowed

Problem. Why can we not set \(a+b+c=1\) in \(a^2+b^2+c^2\ge1\) without an extra condition?

Solution.

The left side has degree \(2\), while the right side has degree \(0\). The inequality is not homogeneous and changes under scaling. Such normalization changes the problem.

Problems

Problems

#7.1
#7.1

Find the degree

Degree Grade 8 Grade 9 ★★☆☆☆

Find the degree of: \(\frac{a^3}{b+c}\), \(\frac{ab}{(a+b)^2}\), \(\frac{a^2+b^2+c^2}{a+b+c}\).

Details
Problem: ALG-B2-M07-P001
Difficulty: Level 2 of 5
Tag: Degree
Grade: Grade 8, Grade 9
#7.2
#7.2

Can we normalize

Normalisation Grade 8 Grade 9 ★★☆☆☆

For each inequality, decide whether one may set \(a+b+c=1\) without an extra condition: \(a^2+b^2+c^2\ge ab+bc+ca\); \(a^2+b^2+c^2\ge1\); \(\frac{a}{b+c}+\frac{b}{c+a}+\frac{c}{a+b}\ge\frac32\).

Details
Problem: ALG-B2-M07-P002
Difficulty: Level 2 of 5
Tag: Normalisation
Grade: Grade 8, Grade 9
#7.3
#7.3

Sum normalization

Squares Grade 8 Grade 9 ★★☆☆☆

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

Details
Problem: ALG-B2-M07-P003
Difficulty: Level 2 of 5
Tag: Squares
Grade: Grade 8, Grade 9
#7.4
#7.4

Product normalization

AM-GM Grade 8 Grade 9 ★★☆☆☆

Prove for \(a,b,c>0\): \[a+b+c\ge3\sqrt[3]{abc}.\]

Details
Problem: ALG-B2-M07-P004
Difficulty: Level 2 of 5
Tag: AM-GM
Grade: Grade 8, Grade 9
#7.5
#7.5

Homogenizing a constant

Fixed Sum Grade 8 Grade 9 ★★☆☆☆

Let \(a,b,c\ge0\), \(a+b+c=1\). Prove \[ab+bc+ca\le\frac13.\]

Details
Problem: ALG-B2-M07-P005
Difficulty: Level 2 of 5
Tag: Fixed Sum
Grade: Grade 8, Grade 9
#7.6
#7.6

One variable equals one

AM-GM Grade 8 Grade 9 ★★★☆☆

Prove for \(a,b>0\): \[\frac{a^2+b^2}{ab}\ge2.\]

Details
Problem: ALG-B2-M07-P006
Difficulty: Level 3 of 5
Tag: AM-GM
Grade: Grade 8, Grade 9
#7.7
#7.7

Cyclic ratios

AM-GM Grade 8 Grade 9 ★★★☆☆

Prove for \(a,b,c>0\): \[\frac{a}{b}+\frac{b}{c}+\frac{c}{a}\ge3.\]

Details
Problem: ALG-B2-M07-P007
Difficulty: Level 3 of 5
Tag: AM-GM
Grade: Grade 8, Grade 9
#7.8
#7.8

Squares of ratios

AM-GM Grade 8 Grade 9 ★★★☆☆

Prove for \(a,b,c>0\): \[\frac{a^2}{b^2}+\frac{b^2}{c^2}+\frac{c^2}{a^2}\ge3.\]

Details
Problem: ALG-B2-M07-P008
Difficulty: Level 3 of 5
Tag: AM-GM
Grade: Grade 8, Grade 9
#7.9
#7.9

Fractions with neighboring sums

Fractions Grade 8 Grade 9 ★★★☆☆

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-M07-P009
Difficulty: Level 3 of 5
Tag: Fractions
Grade: Grade 8, Grade 9
#7.10
#7.10

Nesbitt after normalization

Homogeneous Grade 8 Grade 9 ★★★☆☆

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

Details
Problem: ALG-B2-M07-P010
Difficulty: Level 3 of 5
Tag: Homogeneous
Grade: Grade 8, Grade 9
#7.11
#7.11

Product with fixed sum

AM-GM Grade 9 Grade 10 ★★★★☆

Let \(a,b,c\ge0\), \(a+b+c=1\). Prove \[abc\le\frac1{27}.\]

Details
Problem: ALG-B2-M07-P011
Difficulty: Level 4 of 5
Tag: AM-GM
Grade: Grade 9, Grade 10
#7.12
#7.12

Squares with fixed product

Fixed Product Grade 9 Grade 10 ★★★★☆

Let \(a,b,c>0\), \(abc=1\). Prove \[a^2+b^2+c^2\ge3.\]

Details
Problem: ALG-B2-M07-P012
Difficulty: Level 4 of 5
Tag: Fixed Product
Grade: Grade 9, Grade 10
#7.13
#7.13

Sum of reciprocals

Fixed Sum Grade 9 Grade 10 ★★★★☆

Prove for \(a,b,c>0\): \[(a+b+c)\left(\frac1a+\frac1b+\frac1c\right)\ge9.\]

Details
Problem: ALG-B2-M07-P013
Difficulty: Level 4 of 5
Tag: Fixed Sum
Grade: Grade 9, Grade 10
#7.14
#7.14

Sum of squares with sum 3

Fixed Sum Grade 9 Grade 10 ★★★★☆

Let \(a,b,c\ge0\), \(a+b+c=3\). Prove \[a^2+b^2+c^2\ge3.\]

Details
Problem: ALG-B2-M07-P014
Difficulty: Level 4 of 5
Tag: Fixed Sum
Grade: Grade 9, Grade 10
#7.15
#7.15

Fractions with opposite sums

Fractions Grade 9 Grade 10 ★★★★★

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

Details
Problem: ALG-B2-M07-P015
Difficulty: Level 5 of 5
Tag: Fractions
Grade: Grade 9, Grade 10
#7.16
#7.16

Return the scale

Equality Case Grade 9 Grade 10 ★★★★★

Suppose that for all \(x,y,z\ge0\) with \(x+y+z=1\), it is proved that \(x^2+y^2+z^2\ge\frac13\). Deduce for all \(a,b,c\ge0\): \[a^2+b^2+c^2\ge\frac{(a+b+c)^2}{3}.\]

Details
Problem: ALG-B2-M07-P016
Difficulty: Level 5 of 5
Tag: Equality Case
Grade: Grade 9, Grade 10
#7.17
#7.17

Fourth powers versus product

Homogeneous Grade 9 Grade 10 ★★★★★

Prove for \(a,b,c\ge0\): \[a^4+b^4+c^4\ge abc(a+b+c).\]

Details
Problem: ALG-B2-M07-P017
Difficulty: Level 5 of 5
Tag: Homogeneous
Grade: Grade 9, Grade 10
#7.18
#7.18

Product normalization in fractions

Normalisation Grade 9 Grade 10 ★★★★★

Let \(a,b,c>0\). Prove \[\frac{a^2+b^2+c^2}{\sqrt[3]{a^2b^2c^2}}\ge3.\]

Details
Problem: ALG-B2-M07-P018
Difficulty: Level 5 of 5
Tag: Normalisation
Grade: Grade 9, Grade 10
#7.19
#7.19

Homogenize the problem

Fixed Sum Grade 9 Grade 10 ★★★★★

Let \(a,b,c\ge0\), \(a+b+c=1\). Prove \[a^2+b^2+c^2+ab+bc+ca\ge\frac23.\] Then write the homogeneous version of this inequality without the condition \(a+b+c=1\).

Details
Problem: ALG-B2-M07-P019
Difficulty: Level 5 of 5
Tag: Fixed Sum
Grade: Grade 9, Grade 10
#7.20
#7.20

Choose the normalization

Normalisation Grade 9 Grade 10 ★★★★★

Let \(a,b,c>0\). Prove \[\frac{a^2+b^2+c^2}{ab+bc+ca}+\frac{ab+bc+ca}{\sqrt[3]{a^2b^2c^2}}\ge4.\]

Details
Problem: ALG-B2-M07-P020
Difficulty: Level 5 of 5
Tag: Normalisation
Grade: Grade 9, Grade 10

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