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Exercise 1016Algebra › InequalitiesHigh schoolAdded 3 Nov 2026

Geometric mean and harmonic mean

#geometric mean#harmonic mean#inequality

Statement

Let a,b>0a,b>0. Prove that the geometric mean ab\sqrt{ab} is at least the harmonic mean 2aba+b\frac{2ab}{a+b}.

Hint

Show ab≥2aba+b\sqrt{ab}\ge\frac{2ab}{a+b} by cross-multiplying.

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Solution

Inequality. ab≥2aba+b\sqrt{ab}\ge\frac{2ab}{a+b} is equivalent (since all quantities are positive) to
ab(a+b)≥2ab,\sqrt{ab}(a+b)\ge2ab,
i.e. a+b≥2aba+b\ge2\sqrt{ab}, which is exactly AM-GM.

Equality case. a=ba=b.

Remark. In general, HM ≤\le GM ≤\le AM ≤\le QM (harmonic, geometric, arithmetic, quadratic means).