Exercise 2231Algebra › InequalitiesOlympiadAdded 4 Nov 2026
IMO 2001: a/√(a² + 8bc)
#IMO#weighted Jensen#convexity#normalisation
Statement
Let a,b,c>0. Prove that a2+8bca+b2+8cab+c2+8abc≥1.
Hint
Denote Xa=a2+8bc, etc., and s=a+b+c. The function t↦t−1/2 is convex. Apply Jensen with the weights sa,sb,sc.
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Solution
Weighted Jensen. For a convex f and weights wi≥0 with ∑wi=1: ∑wif(ti)≥f(∑witi). Take f(t)=t−1/2, which is convex on (0,∞) since f′′(t)=43t−5/2>0, with wa=sa and ta=Xa: ∑sa⋅Xa1≥∑saXa1. Multiplying by s, ∑Xaa≥∑aXas3/2.
It suffices to proves3≥∑aXa=a3+b3+c3+24abc. Now s3−(∑a3+24abc)=3(sym∑a2b−6abc)≥0, because ∑syma2b≥6abc.
Equality iff a=b=c.
Remark. The official solutions use Hölder's inequality or the bound a2+8bca≥a4/3+b4/3+c4/3a4/3.
Lesson. A sum ∑Xaa with the *numerator also a weight* suggests Jensen with weights proportional to the numerators.