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Exercise 613Algebra › InequalitiesM1Added 4 Nov 2026

a²/b + b²/c + c²/a ≥ a + b + c

#Titu's lemma#Cauchy-Schwarz#cyclic sums

Statement

Let a,b,c>0a,b,c>0. Prove that
a2b+b2c+c2a≥a+b+c.\frac{a^2}b+\frac{b^2}c+\frac{c^2}a\ge a+b+c.

Hint

Titu's lemma: ∑xi2yi≥(∑xi)2∑yi\sum\frac{x_i^2}{y_i}\ge\frac{(\sum x_i)^2}{\sum y_i}. Choose xix_i and yiy_i directly from the three fractions.

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Solution

Titu with (xi)=(a,b,c)(x_i)=(a,b,c) and (yi)=(b,c,a)(y_i)=(b,c,a).
a2b+b2c+c2a≥(a+b+c)2b+c+a=a+b+c.\frac{a^2}b+\frac{b^2}c+\frac{c^2}a\ge\frac{(a+b+c)^2}{b+c+a}=a+b+c.

Second proof (tangent trick). For positive x,yx,y: x2y≥2x−y\frac{x^2}y\ge2x-y, because x2y−2x+y=(x−y)2y≥0\frac{x^2}y-2x+y=\frac{(x-y)^2}y\ge0. Hence
∑a2b≥(2a−b)+(2b−c)+(2c−a)=a+b+c.\sum\frac{a^2}b\ge(2a-b)+(2b-c)+(2c-a)=a+b+c.

Equality iff a=b=ca=b=c.

Remark. The second proof shows the strength of the inequality x2y≥2x−y\frac{x^2}y\ge2x-y: it is the tangent line at y=xy=x of the convex function y↦x2yy\mapsto\frac{x^2}y.

Lesson. Know the two faces of the same tool: Titu (global) and x2y≥2x−y\frac{x^2}y\ge2x-y (term by term).