Scribd
Upload
137 views2 pages

Inequalities and Contradictions in Math

This document contains solutions to a mathematical problem from the USA Mathematical Talent Search. Both solutions show that it is impossible to simultaneously satisfy the given inequalities. Solution 1 arrives at a contradiction by manipulating the inequalities to get wx > 3yz and yz > 3wx, which then implies wxyz > 9wxyz. Solution 2 argues by contradiction that if the inequalities held, it would define a polynomial p(s) that is always positive but equals 0 at s = w, presenting a contradiction.

Uploaded by

สฮาบูดีน สาและ
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
137 views2 pages

Inequalities and Contradictions in Math

This document contains solutions to a mathematical problem from the USA Mathematical Talent Search. Both solutions show that it is impossible to simultaneously satisfy the given inequalities. Solution 1 arrives at a contradiction by manipulating the inequalities to get wx > 3yz and yz > 3wx, which then implies wxyz > 9wxyz. Solution 2 argues by contradiction that if the inequalities held, it would define a polynomial p(s) that is always positive but equals 0 at s = w, presenting a contradiction.

Uploaded by

สฮาบูดีน สาและ
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 2

USA Mathematical Talent Search

Solutions to Problem 4/4/19


www.usamts.org

4/4/19. Suppose that w, x, y, z are positive real numbers such that w + x < y + z. Prove
that it is impossible to simultaneously satisfy both

(w + x)yz < wx(y + z) and (w + x)(y + z) < wx + yz.

Comments Since we want to show that not all three inequalities can hold simultaneously,
we can approach the problem by using contradiction. Solutions edited by Naoki Sato.

Solution 1 by: Andy Zhu (11/NJ)


Create PDF with GO2PDF for free, if you wish to remove this line, click here to buy Virtual PDF Printer
For the sake of contradiction, suppose that all the given inequalities hold. Multiplying
the inequalities wx(y + z) > (w + x)yz and wx + yz > (w + x)(y + z), we get

wx(y + z)(wx + yz) > yz(w + x)2 (y + z).

By the AM-GM inequality, (w + x)2 4wx, so

wx(y + z)(wx + yz) > yz(w + x)2 (y + z) 4wxyz(y + z).

Dividing by wx(y + z) (which is positive), we get

wx + yz > 4yz,

so wx > 3yz.
Also, since y + z > w + x and wx + yz > (w + x)(y + z),

wx + yz > (w + x)(y + z) > (w + x)2 4wx,

so yz > 3wx. Multiplying the inequalities wx > 3yz and yz > 3wx, we get wxyz > 9wxyz,
contradiction. Thus, not all the given inequalities can hold simultaneously.
USA Mathematical Talent Search
Solutions to Problem 4/4/19
www.usamts.org

Solution 2 by: Kristin Cordwell (11/NM)


We argue by contradiction. Suppose that the positive real numbers w, x, y, z satisfy all
the given inequalities, so w + x < y + z,

(w + x)yz < wx(y + z) wxy + wxz wyz xyz > 0,

and
(w + x)(y + z) < wx + yz wx + yz wy xy wz xz > 0.
Now consider the polynomial p(s) = (s w)(s x)(s + y)(s + z). Expanding this, we
Create PDF with GO2PDF for free, if you wish to remove this line, click here to buy Virtual PDF Printer
have
p(s) = s4 + (y + z w x)s3 + (wx + yz wy xy wz xz)s2
+ (wxy + wxz wyz xyz)s + wxyz.

The coefficients of s3 , s2 , and s are all positive, and wxyz > 0 because w, x, y, z > 0.
Therefore, p(s) > 0 for all s > 0. However, p(w) = 0 and w > 0, contradiction. Therefore,
all three inequalities cannot simultaneously hold.

You might also like