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Exercise 1572Algebra › Complex numbersOlympiadAdded 3 Nov 2026

The modulus of a sum

#modulus#sum#inequality

Statement

Let z1,…,zn∈Cz_1,\ldots,z_n\in\mathbb{C}. Prove that
∣z1+⋯+zn∣2≤n(∣z1∣2+⋯+∣zn∣2).|z_1+\cdots+z_n|^2\le n(|z_1|^2+\cdots+|z_n|^2).

Hint

Use the Cauchy-Schwarz inequality or expand.

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Solution

Expansion.
∣z1+⋯+zn∣2=∑i∣zi∣2+2Re⁡∑i<jzizˉj.|z_1+\cdots+z_n|^2=\sum_i|z_i|^2+2\operatorname{Re}\sum_{i<j}z_i\bar z_j.

Bound. Re⁡(zizˉj)≤∣zizˉj∣=∣zi∣∣zj∣\operatorname{Re}(z_i\bar z_j)\le|z_i\bar z_j|=|z_i||z_j|, so
∣z1+⋯+zn∣2≤∑∣zi∣2+2∑i<j∣zi∣∣zj∣=(∑∣zi∣)2.|z_1+\cdots+z_n|^2\le\sum|z_i|^2+2\sum_{i<j}|z_i||z_j|=\left(\sum|z_i|\right)^2.
This gives ∣z1+⋯+zn∣≤∑∣zi∣|z_1+\cdots+z_n|\le\sum|z_i|, the triangle inequality.

Sharper bound. By Cauchy-Schwarz applied to the vectors (1,…,1)(1,\ldots,1) and (∣z1∣,…,∣zn∣)(|z_1|,\ldots,|z_n|):
(∑∣zi∣)2≤n∑∣zi∣2.\left(\sum|z_i|\right)^2\le n\sum|z_i|^2.
Combining: ∣z1+⋯+zn∣2≤n∑∣zi∣2|z_1+\cdots+z_n|^2\le n\sum|z_i|^2.

Conclusion. The inequality holds.