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k a April Highlights and 2025 AoPS Online Class Information
jlacosta   0
Apr 2, 2025
Spring is in full swing and summer is right around the corner, what are your plans? At AoPS Online our schedule has new classes starting now through July, so be sure to keep your skills sharp and be prepared for the Fall school year! Check out the schedule of upcoming classes below.

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0 replies
jlacosta
Apr 2, 2025
0 replies
k i Adding contests to the Contest Collections
dcouchman   1
N Apr 5, 2023 by v_Enhance
Want to help AoPS remain a valuable Olympiad resource? Help us add contests to AoPS's Contest Collections.

Find instructions and a list of contests to add here: https://artofproblemsolving.com/community/c40244h1064480_contests_to_add
1 reply
dcouchman
Sep 9, 2019
v_Enhance
Apr 5, 2023
k i Zero tolerance
ZetaX   49
N May 4, 2019 by NoDealsHere
Source: Use your common sense! (enough is enough)
Some users don't want to learn, some other simply ignore advises.
But please follow the following guideline:


To make it short: ALWAYS USE YOUR COMMON SENSE IF POSTING!
If you don't have common sense, don't post.


More specifically:

For new threads:


a) Good, meaningful title:
The title has to say what the problem is about in best way possible.
If that title occured already, it's definitely bad. And contest names aren't good either.
That's in fact a requirement for being able to search old problems.

Examples:
Bad titles:
- "Hard"/"Medium"/"Easy" (if you find it so cool how hard/easy it is, tell it in the post and use a title that tells us the problem)
- "Number Theory" (hey guy, guess why this forum's named that way¿ and is it the only such problem on earth¿)
- "Fibonacci" (there are millions of Fibonacci problems out there, all posted and named the same...)
- "Chinese TST 2003" (does this say anything about the problem¿)
Good titles:
- "On divisors of a³+2b³+4c³-6abc"
- "Number of solutions to x²+y²=6z²"
- "Fibonacci numbers are never squares"


b) Use search function:
Before posting a "new" problem spend at least two, better five, minutes to look if this problem was posted before. If it was, don't repost it. If you have anything important to say on topic, post it in one of the older threads.
If the thread is locked cause of this, use search function.

Update (by Amir Hossein). The best way to search for two keywords in AoPS is to input
[code]+"first keyword" +"second keyword"[/code]
so that any post containing both strings "first word" and "second form".


c) Good problem statement:
Some recent really bad post was:
[quote]$lim_{n\to 1}^{+\infty}\frac{1}{n}-lnn$[/quote]
It contains no question and no answer.
If you do this, too, you are on the best way to get your thread deleted. Write everything clearly, define where your variables come from (and define the "natural" numbers if used). Additionally read your post at least twice before submitting. After you sent it, read it again and use the Edit-Button if necessary to correct errors.


For answers to already existing threads:


d) Of any interest and with content:
Don't post things that are more trivial than completely obvious. For example, if the question is to solve $x^{3}+y^{3}=z^{3}$, do not answer with "$x=y=z=0$ is a solution" only. Either you post any kind of proof or at least something unexpected (like "$x=1337, y=481, z=42$ is the smallest solution). Someone that does not see that $x=y=z=0$ is a solution of the above without your post is completely wrong here, this is an IMO-level forum.
Similar, posting "I have solved this problem" but not posting anything else is not welcome; it even looks that you just want to show off what a genius you are.

e) Well written and checked answers:
Like c) for new threads, check your solutions at least twice for mistakes. And after sending, read it again and use the Edit-Button if necessary to correct errors.



To repeat it: ALWAYS USE YOUR COMMON SENSE IF POSTING!


Everything definitely out of range of common sense will be locked or deleted (exept for new users having less than about 42 posts, they are newbies and need/get some time to learn).

The above rules will be applied from next monday (5. march of 2007).
Feel free to discuss on this here.
49 replies
ZetaX
Feb 27, 2007
NoDealsHere
May 4, 2019
Inspired by JK1603JK
sqing   0
6 minutes ago
Source: Own
Let $ a,b,c $ be reals such that $  abc\neq 0$ and $ a+b+c=0.  $ Prove that
$$\big|\frac{a-2b}{c}\big|+\big|\frac{b-2c}{a}\big|+\big|\frac{c-2a}{b}\big|\ge \frac{1+3\sqrt{13+16\sqrt{2}}}{2}$$$$\big|\frac{a-3b}{c}\big|+\big|\frac{b-3c}{a}\big|+\big|\frac{c-3a}{b}\big|\ge  1+2\sqrt{13+16\sqrt{2}} $$
0 replies
sqing
6 minutes ago
0 replies
An easiest problem ever
Asilbek777   0
11 minutes ago
Simplify
0 replies
Asilbek777
11 minutes ago
0 replies
Many Reflections form Cyclic
FireBreathers   0
16 minutes ago
Let $ABCD$ be a cyclic quadrilateral. The point $E$ is the reflection of $B$ $w.r.t$ the intersection of $AD$ and $BC$, the point $F$ is the reflection of $B$ $w.r.t$ midpoint of $CD$. Also let $G$ be the reflection of $A$ $w.r.t$ midpoint of $CE$. Show that $C,E,F,G,$ concyclic.
0 replies
+1 w
FireBreathers
16 minutes ago
0 replies
6 variable inequality
ChuongTk17   4
N an hour ago by arqady
Source: Own
Given real numbers a,b,c,d,e,f in the interval [-1;1] and positive x,y,z,t such that $$2xya+2xzb+2xtc+2yzd+2yte+2ztf=x^2+y^2+z^2+t^2$$. Prove that: $$a+b+c+d+e+f \leq 2$$
4 replies
ChuongTk17
Nov 29, 2024
arqady
an hour ago
APMO 2015 P1
aditya21   62
N an hour ago by Tonne
Source: APMO 2015
Let $ABC$ be a triangle, and let $D$ be a point on side $BC$. A line through $D$ intersects side $AB$ at $X$ and ray $AC$ at $Y$ . The circumcircle of triangle $BXD$ intersects the circumcircle $\omega$ of triangle $ABC$ again at point $Z$ distinct from point $B$. The lines $ZD$ and $ZY$ intersect $\omega$ again at $V$ and $W$ respectively.
Prove that $AB = V W$

Proposed by Warut Suksompong, Thailand
62 replies
aditya21
Mar 30, 2015
Tonne
an hour ago
Or statement function
ItzsleepyXD   2
N 2 hours ago by cursed_tangent1434
Source: Own , Mock Thailand Mathematic Olympiad P2
Find all $f: \mathbb{R} \to \mathbb{Z^+}$ such that $$f(x+f(y))=f(x)+f(y)+1\quad\text{ or }\quad f(x)+f(y)-1$$for all real number $x$ and $y$
2 replies
ItzsleepyXD
Yesterday at 9:07 AM
cursed_tangent1434
2 hours ago
Trivial fun Equilateral
ItzsleepyXD   4
N 2 hours ago by cursed_tangent1434
Source: Own , Mock Thailand Mathematic Olympiad P1
Let $ABC$ be a scalene triangle with point $P$ and $Q$ on the plane such that $\triangle BPC , \triangle CQB$ is an equilateral . Let $AB$ intersect $CP$ and $CQ$ at $X$ and $Z$ respectively and $AC$ intersect $BP$ and $BQ$ at $Y$ and $W$ respectively .
Prove that $XY\parallel ZW$
4 replies
ItzsleepyXD
Yesterday at 9:05 AM
cursed_tangent1434
2 hours ago
Geometry Proof
Jackson0423   2
N 3 hours ago by aidan0626
In triangle \( \triangle ABC \), point \( P \) on \( AB \) satisfies \( DB = BC \) and \( \angle DCA = 30^\circ \).
Let \( X \) be the point where the perpendicular from \( B \) to line \( DC \) meets the angle bisector of \( \angle BCA \).
Then, the relation \( AD \cdot DC = BD \cdot AX \) holds.

Prove that \( \triangle ABC \) is an isosceles triangle.
2 replies
Jackson0423
Yesterday at 4:17 PM
aidan0626
3 hours ago
Do not try to case bash lol
ItzsleepyXD   2
N 3 hours ago by cursed_tangent1434
Source: Own , Mock Thailand Mathematic Olympiad P3
Let $n,d\geqslant 6$ be a positive integer such that $d\mid 6^{n!}+1$ .
Prove that $d>2n+6$ .
2 replies
ItzsleepyXD
Yesterday at 9:08 AM
cursed_tangent1434
3 hours ago
N lines cutting each other in the plane
M.J.Espinas   4
N 3 hours ago by Lemmas
Source: Iranian Math Olympiad(Second Round 2016)
Let $l_1,l_2,l_3,...,L_n$ be lines in the plane such that no two of them are parallel and no three of them are concurrent. Let $A$ be the intersection point of lines $l_i,l_j$. We call $A$ an "Interior Point" if there are points $C,D$ on $l_i$ and $E,F$ on $l_j$ such that $A$ is between $C,D$ and $E,F$. Prove that there are at least $\frac{(n-2)(n-3)}{2}$ Interior points.($n>2$)
note: by point here we mean the points which are intersection point of two of $l_1,l_2,...,l_n$.
4 replies
M.J.Espinas
May 5, 2016
Lemmas
3 hours ago
Arbitrary point on BC and its relation with orthocenter
falantrng   25
N 4 hours ago by EeEeRUT
Source: Balkan MO 2025 P2
In an acute-angled triangle \(ABC\), \(H\) be the orthocenter of it and \(D\) be any point on the side \(BC\). The points \(E, F\) are on the segments \(AB, AC\), respectively, such that the points \(A, B, D, F\) and \(A, C, D, E\) are cyclic. The segments \(BF\) and \(CE\) intersect at \(P.\) \(L\) is a point on \(HA\) such that \(LC\) is tangent to the circumcircle of triangle \(PBC\) at \(C.\) \(BH\) and \(CP\) intersect at \(X\). Prove that the points \(D, X, \) and \(L\) lie on the same line.

Proposed by Theoklitos Parayiou, Cyprus
25 replies
falantrng
Apr 27, 2025
EeEeRUT
4 hours ago
Hard inequality
JK1603JK   2
N 4 hours ago by arqady
Source: unknown?
Let $a,b,c\in R: abc\neq 0$ and $a+b+c=0$ then prove $$|\frac{a-b}{c}|+|\frac{b-c}{a}|+|\frac{c-a}{b}|\ge 6$$
2 replies
1 viewing
JK1603JK
5 hours ago
arqady
4 hours ago
BMO 2024 SL A5
MuradSafarli   2
N 4 hours ago by ja.


Let \(\mathbb{R}^+ = (0, \infty)\) be the set of positive real numbers.
Find all non-negative real numbers \(c \geq 0\) such that there exists a function \(f : \mathbb{R}^+ \to \mathbb{R}^+\) with the property:
\[
f(y^2f(x) + y + c) = xf(x+y^2)
\]for all \(x, y \in \mathbb{R}^+\).

2 replies
MuradSafarli
Apr 27, 2025
ja.
4 hours ago
Something nice
KhuongTrang   29
N 4 hours ago by arqady
Source: own
Problem. Given $a,b,c$ be non-negative real numbers such that $ab+bc+ca=1.$ Prove that

$$\sqrt{a+1}+\sqrt{b+1}+\sqrt{c+1}\le 1+2\sqrt{a+b+c+abc}.$$
29 replies
KhuongTrang
Nov 1, 2023
arqady
4 hours ago
The Karamata inequality
darij grinberg   41
N Sep 7, 2014 by Fu_Manchu
Source: Majorization Theory
Since I was asked about it I'm posting it.

We begin with a definition:

1. Let $ x_1$, $ x_2$, ..., $ x_n$, $ y_1$, $ y_2$, ..., $ y_n$ be arbitrary real numbers satisfying $ x_1 \geq x_2 \geq ... \geq x_n$ and $ y_1 \geq y_2 \geq ... \geq y_n$. Now, if we have all the following conditions fulfilled:

$ x_1 \geq y_1$;
$ x_1 + x_2 \geq y_1 + y_2$;
$ x_1 + x_2 + x_3 \geq y_1 + y_2 + y_3$;
...
generally $ x_1 + x_2 + ... + x_k \geq y_1 + y_2 + ... + y_k$ for any natural k with $ 1 \leq k \leq n - 1$;
and $ x_1 + x_2 + ... + x_n = y_1 + y_2 + ... + y_n$

(mind the equality sign in the last condition; it is not a $ \geq$ sign!), then we say that the number array $ \left(x_1;\;x_2;\;...;\;x_n\right)$ majorizes the number array $ \left(y_1;\;y_2;\;...;\;y_n\right)$. We write this in the form $ \left( x_1;\;x_2;\;...;\;x_n\right) \succ \left( y_1;\;y_2;\;...;\;y_n\right)$.

Now, if instead of

$ x_1 \geq y_1$;
$ x_1 + x_2 \geq y_1 + y_2$;
$ x_1 + x_2 + x_3 \geq y_1 + y_2 + y_3$;
...
generally $ x_1 + x_2 + ... + x_k \geq y_1 + y_2 + ... + y_k$ for any natural k with $ 1 \leq k \leq n - 1$;
and $ x_1 + x_2 + ... + x_n = y_1 + y_2 + ... + y_n$,

we have the conditions

$ x_1 \leq y_1$;
$ x_1 + x_2 \leq y_1 + y_2$;
$ x_1 + x_2 + x_3 \leq y_1 + y_2 + y_3$;
...
generally $ x_1 + x_2 + ... + x_k \leq y_1 + y_2 + ... + y_k$ for any natural k with $ 1 \leq k \leq n - 1$;
and $ x_1 + x_2 + ... + x_n = y_1 + y_2 + ... + y_n$

fulfilled (i. e., the same conditions with all $ \geq$'s replaced by $ \leq$'s), then we say that the number array $ \left(x_1;\;x_2;\;...;\;x_n\right)$ minorizes the number array $ \left(y_1;\;y_2;\;...;\;y_n\right)$. We write this in the form $ \left( x_1;\;x_2;\;...;\;x_n\right) \prec \left( y_1;\;y_2;\;...;\;y_n\right)$. Of course, this is equivalent to $ \left( y_1;\;y_2;\;...;\;y_n\right) \succ \left( x_1;\;x_2;\;...;\;x_n\right)$.

2. Thus we have defined the notions "majorizes" and "minorizes" only for non-increasing arrays (i. e. for arrays satisfying $ x_1 \geq x_2 \geq ... \geq x_n$ and $ y_1 \geq y_2 \geq ... \geq y_n$). Now, assume that $ x_1$, $ x_2$, ..., $ x_n$, $ y_1$, $ y_2$, ..., $ y_n$ are just arbitrary real numbers, without any conditions. Then, let $ \left(X_1;\;X_2;\;...;\;X_n\right)$ be the non-increasing permutation of the array $ \left(x_1;\;x_2;\;...;\;x_n\right)$, i. e. the permutation of the array $ \left(x_1;\;x_2;\;...;\;x_n\right)$ that satisfies $ X_1 \geq X_2 \geq ... \geq X_n$. Similarly, let $ \left(Y_1;\;Y_2;\;...;\;Y_n\right)$ be the non-increasing permutation of the array $ \left(y_1;\;y_2;\;...;\;y_n\right)$, i. e. the permutation of the array $ \left(y_1;\;y_2;\;...;\;y_n\right)$ that satisfies $ Y_1 \geq Y_2 \geq ... \geq Y_n$. The number arrays $ \left(X_1;\;X_2;\;...;\;X_n\right)$ and $ \left(Y_1;\;Y_2;\;...;\;Y_n\right)$ are both non-increasing, and hence we have defined majorization for such arrays.

Then, we say that the number array $ \left(x_1;\;x_2;\;...;\;x_n\right)$ majorizes the number array $ \left(y_1;\;y_2;\;...;\;y_n\right)$ if and only if the number array $ \left(X_1;\;X_2;\;...;\;X_n\right)$ majorizes the number array $ \left(Y_1;\;Y_2;\;...;\;Y_n\right)$. In this case, we write $ \left( x_1;\;x_2;\;...;\;x_n\right) \succ \left( y_1;\;y_2;\;...;\;y_n\right)$.

Similarly, we say that the number array $ \left(x_1;\;x_2;\;...;\;x_n\right)$ minorizes the number array $ \left(y_1;\;y_2;\;...;\;y_n\right)$ if and only if the number array $ \left(X_1;\;X_2;\;...;\;X_n\right)$ minorizes the number array $ \left(Y_1;\;Y_2;\;...;\;Y_n\right)$. In this case, we write $ \left( x_1;\;x_2;\;...;\;x_n\right) \prec \left( y_1;\;y_2;\;...;\;y_n\right)$. Again this is equivalent to $ \left( y_1;\;y_2;\;...;\;y_n\right) \succ \left( x_1;\;x_2;\;...;\;x_n\right)$.

3. So we have defined the terms "majorize" and "minorize" for any two number arrays. It should be noted that majorization is a partial order on the set of number arrays, not a total order - i. e., not for every pair of two number arrays $ \left(x_1;\;x_2;\;...;\;x_n\right)$ and $ \left(y_1;\;y_2;\;...;\;y_n\right)$ one can say that either the first one majorizes the second one, or the second one majorizes the first one. It often happens that none of the arrays majorizes or minorizes the other one. But sometimes when you have some special arrays, you can prove that one of them majorizes the other one.

4. Now, the Karamata inequality, also called the Majorization Inequality or the Hardy-Littlewood inequality, states that if $ x_1$, $ x_2$, ..., $ x_n$, $ y_1$, $ y_2$, ..., $ y_n$ are $ 2n$ reals from an interval $ I\subseteq\mathbb{R}$ such that the number array $ \left(x_1;\;x_2;\;...;\;x_n\right)$ majorizes the number array $ \left(y_1;\;y_2;\;...;\;y_n\right)$, and $ f: I\to\mathbb{R}$ is any convex function, then

$ f\left( x_1\right) + f\left( x_2\right) + ... + f\left( x_n\right) \geq f\left( y_1\right) + f\left( y_2\right) + ... + f\left( y_n\right)$.

If $ f: I\to\mathbb{R}$ is a concave function instead, then we instead have

$ f\left( x_1\right) + f\left( x_2\right) + ... + f\left( x_n\right) \leq f\left( y_1\right) + f\left( y_2\right) + ... + f\left( y_n\right)$.

If the number array $ \left(x_1;\;x_2;\;...;\;x_n\right)$ minorizes the number array $ \left(y_1;\;y_2;\;...;\;y_n\right)$ instead of majorizing it, then both inequalities are reversed.

5. The Jensen inequality for real numbers is a special case of the Karamata inequality. In fact, if $ m = \frac {x_1 + x_2 + ... + x_n}{n}$ is the arithmetic mean of the numbers $ x_1$, $ x_2$, ..., $ x_n$, then it is easy to show that the number array $ \left(x_1;\;x_2;\;...;\;x_n\right)$ majorizes the number array $ \left(m;\;m;\;...;\;m\right)$. Hence, the Karamata inequality yields:

If f(x) is any convex function, then

$ f\left( x_1\right) + f\left( x_2\right) + ... + f\left( x_n\right) \geq n f\left( m\right)$,

i. e.

$ \frac {f\left( x_1\right) + f\left( x_2\right) + ... + f\left( x_n\right)}{n} \geq f\left( m\right)$.

If f(x) is a concave function instead, then we instead have

$ f\left( x_1\right) + f\left( x_2\right) + ... + f\left( x_n\right) \leq n f\left( m\right)$,

i. e.

$ \frac {f\left( x_1\right) + f\left( x_2\right) + ... + f\left( x_n\right)}{n} \leq f\left( m\right)$.

Of course, this is exactly the Jensen inequality for $ n$ reals.

6. The definition of majorizing and minorizing number arrays given above is somewhat unsatisfying from an intuitive point of view, since it does not help one to imagine how an array majorizing another array looks like. Unfortunately, this is partly inherent to the notion of majorization, which indeed is quite unintuitive. For a - rather facile - visualization of the notion, you can imagine that a number array $ \left(x_1;\;x_2;\;...;\;x_n\right)$ majorizes a number array $ \left(y_1;\;y_2;\;...;\;y_n\right)$ if the two arrays have the same sum of numbers, but the numbers of the first array are set wider apart than those of the second array, while those of the second array lie closer together. From this intuitive viewpoint, it is clear why the number array $ \left(x_1;\;x_2;\;...;\;x_n\right)$ majorizes the number array $ \left(m;\;m;\;...;\;m\right)$, where $ m = \frac {x_1 + x_2 + ... + x_n}{n}$ is the arithmetic mean of the numbers $ x_1$, $ x_2$, ..., $ x_n$: In fact, the two number arrays have the same sum of elements, but the elements of the second number array lie nearer to each other (they are all equal). Alas, this viewpoint does not help one to really understand what majorization is about.

Well, I know there is more to say. For instance, the Karamata inequality has a kind of converse, but I am not sure how it is formulated, so I leave this to the other MathLinkers more used to inequalities.

Darij
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darij grinberg
Aug 5, 2004
Fu_Manchu
Sep 7, 2014
The Karamata inequality
G H J
Source: Majorization Theory
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darij grinberg
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Since I was asked about it I'm posting it.

We begin with a definition:

1. Let $ x_1$, $ x_2$, ..., $ x_n$, $ y_1$, $ y_2$, ..., $ y_n$ be arbitrary real numbers satisfying $ x_1 \geq x_2 \geq ... \geq x_n$ and $ y_1 \geq y_2 \geq ... \geq y_n$. Now, if we have all the following conditions fulfilled:

$ x_1 \geq y_1$;
$ x_1 + x_2 \geq y_1 + y_2$;
$ x_1 + x_2 + x_3 \geq y_1 + y_2 + y_3$;
...
generally $ x_1 + x_2 + ... + x_k \geq y_1 + y_2 + ... + y_k$ for any natural k with $ 1 \leq k \leq n - 1$;
and $ x_1 + x_2 + ... + x_n = y_1 + y_2 + ... + y_n$

(mind the equality sign in the last condition; it is not a $ \geq$ sign!), then we say that the number array $ \left(x_1;\;x_2;\;...;\;x_n\right)$ majorizes the number array $ \left(y_1;\;y_2;\;...;\;y_n\right)$. We write this in the form $ \left( x_1;\;x_2;\;...;\;x_n\right) \succ \left( y_1;\;y_2;\;...;\;y_n\right)$.

Now, if instead of

$ x_1 \geq y_1$;
$ x_1 + x_2 \geq y_1 + y_2$;
$ x_1 + x_2 + x_3 \geq y_1 + y_2 + y_3$;
...
generally $ x_1 + x_2 + ... + x_k \geq y_1 + y_2 + ... + y_k$ for any natural k with $ 1 \leq k \leq n - 1$;
and $ x_1 + x_2 + ... + x_n = y_1 + y_2 + ... + y_n$,

we have the conditions

$ x_1 \leq y_1$;
$ x_1 + x_2 \leq y_1 + y_2$;
$ x_1 + x_2 + x_3 \leq y_1 + y_2 + y_3$;
...
generally $ x_1 + x_2 + ... + x_k \leq y_1 + y_2 + ... + y_k$ for any natural k with $ 1 \leq k \leq n - 1$;
and $ x_1 + x_2 + ... + x_n = y_1 + y_2 + ... + y_n$

fulfilled (i. e., the same conditions with all $ \geq$'s replaced by $ \leq$'s), then we say that the number array $ \left(x_1;\;x_2;\;...;\;x_n\right)$ minorizes the number array $ \left(y_1;\;y_2;\;...;\;y_n\right)$. We write this in the form $ \left( x_1;\;x_2;\;...;\;x_n\right) \prec \left( y_1;\;y_2;\;...;\;y_n\right)$. Of course, this is equivalent to $ \left( y_1;\;y_2;\;...;\;y_n\right) \succ \left( x_1;\;x_2;\;...;\;x_n\right)$.

2. Thus we have defined the notions "majorizes" and "minorizes" only for non-increasing arrays (i. e. for arrays satisfying $ x_1 \geq x_2 \geq ... \geq x_n$ and $ y_1 \geq y_2 \geq ... \geq y_n$). Now, assume that $ x_1$, $ x_2$, ..., $ x_n$, $ y_1$, $ y_2$, ..., $ y_n$ are just arbitrary real numbers, without any conditions. Then, let $ \left(X_1;\;X_2;\;...;\;X_n\right)$ be the non-increasing permutation of the array $ \left(x_1;\;x_2;\;...;\;x_n\right)$, i. e. the permutation of the array $ \left(x_1;\;x_2;\;...;\;x_n\right)$ that satisfies $ X_1 \geq X_2 \geq ... \geq X_n$. Similarly, let $ \left(Y_1;\;Y_2;\;...;\;Y_n\right)$ be the non-increasing permutation of the array $ \left(y_1;\;y_2;\;...;\;y_n\right)$, i. e. the permutation of the array $ \left(y_1;\;y_2;\;...;\;y_n\right)$ that satisfies $ Y_1 \geq Y_2 \geq ... \geq Y_n$. The number arrays $ \left(X_1;\;X_2;\;...;\;X_n\right)$ and $ \left(Y_1;\;Y_2;\;...;\;Y_n\right)$ are both non-increasing, and hence we have defined majorization for such arrays.

Then, we say that the number array $ \left(x_1;\;x_2;\;...;\;x_n\right)$ majorizes the number array $ \left(y_1;\;y_2;\;...;\;y_n\right)$ if and only if the number array $ \left(X_1;\;X_2;\;...;\;X_n\right)$ majorizes the number array $ \left(Y_1;\;Y_2;\;...;\;Y_n\right)$. In this case, we write $ \left( x_1;\;x_2;\;...;\;x_n\right) \succ \left( y_1;\;y_2;\;...;\;y_n\right)$.

Similarly, we say that the number array $ \left(x_1;\;x_2;\;...;\;x_n\right)$ minorizes the number array $ \left(y_1;\;y_2;\;...;\;y_n\right)$ if and only if the number array $ \left(X_1;\;X_2;\;...;\;X_n\right)$ minorizes the number array $ \left(Y_1;\;Y_2;\;...;\;Y_n\right)$. In this case, we write $ \left( x_1;\;x_2;\;...;\;x_n\right) \prec \left( y_1;\;y_2;\;...;\;y_n\right)$. Again this is equivalent to $ \left( y_1;\;y_2;\;...;\;y_n\right) \succ \left( x_1;\;x_2;\;...;\;x_n\right)$.

3. So we have defined the terms "majorize" and "minorize" for any two number arrays. It should be noted that majorization is a partial order on the set of number arrays, not a total order - i. e., not for every pair of two number arrays $ \left(x_1;\;x_2;\;...;\;x_n\right)$ and $ \left(y_1;\;y_2;\;...;\;y_n\right)$ one can say that either the first one majorizes the second one, or the second one majorizes the first one. It often happens that none of the arrays majorizes or minorizes the other one. But sometimes when you have some special arrays, you can prove that one of them majorizes the other one.

4. Now, the Karamata inequality, also called the Majorization Inequality or the Hardy-Littlewood inequality, states that if $ x_1$, $ x_2$, ..., $ x_n$, $ y_1$, $ y_2$, ..., $ y_n$ are $ 2n$ reals from an interval $ I\subseteq\mathbb{R}$ such that the number array $ \left(x_1;\;x_2;\;...;\;x_n\right)$ majorizes the number array $ \left(y_1;\;y_2;\;...;\;y_n\right)$, and $ f: I\to\mathbb{R}$ is any convex function, then

$ f\left( x_1\right) + f\left( x_2\right) + ... + f\left( x_n\right) \geq f\left( y_1\right) + f\left( y_2\right) + ... + f\left( y_n\right)$.

If $ f: I\to\mathbb{R}$ is a concave function instead, then we instead have

$ f\left( x_1\right) + f\left( x_2\right) + ... + f\left( x_n\right) \leq f\left( y_1\right) + f\left( y_2\right) + ... + f\left( y_n\right)$.

If the number array $ \left(x_1;\;x_2;\;...;\;x_n\right)$ minorizes the number array $ \left(y_1;\;y_2;\;...;\;y_n\right)$ instead of majorizing it, then both inequalities are reversed.

5. The Jensen inequality for real numbers is a special case of the Karamata inequality. In fact, if $ m = \frac {x_1 + x_2 + ... + x_n}{n}$ is the arithmetic mean of the numbers $ x_1$, $ x_2$, ..., $ x_n$, then it is easy to show that the number array $ \left(x_1;\;x_2;\;...;\;x_n\right)$ majorizes the number array $ \left(m;\;m;\;...;\;m\right)$. Hence, the Karamata inequality yields:

If f(x) is any convex function, then

$ f\left( x_1\right) + f\left( x_2\right) + ... + f\left( x_n\right) \geq n f\left( m\right)$,

i. e.

$ \frac {f\left( x_1\right) + f\left( x_2\right) + ... + f\left( x_n\right)}{n} \geq f\left( m\right)$.

If f(x) is a concave function instead, then we instead have

$ f\left( x_1\right) + f\left( x_2\right) + ... + f\left( x_n\right) \leq n f\left( m\right)$,

i. e.

$ \frac {f\left( x_1\right) + f\left( x_2\right) + ... + f\left( x_n\right)}{n} \leq f\left( m\right)$.

Of course, this is exactly the Jensen inequality for $ n$ reals.

6. The definition of majorizing and minorizing number arrays given above is somewhat unsatisfying from an intuitive point of view, since it does not help one to imagine how an array majorizing another array looks like. Unfortunately, this is partly inherent to the notion of majorization, which indeed is quite unintuitive. For a - rather facile - visualization of the notion, you can imagine that a number array $ \left(x_1;\;x_2;\;...;\;x_n\right)$ majorizes a number array $ \left(y_1;\;y_2;\;...;\;y_n\right)$ if the two arrays have the same sum of numbers, but the numbers of the first array are set wider apart than those of the second array, while those of the second array lie closer together. From this intuitive viewpoint, it is clear why the number array $ \left(x_1;\;x_2;\;...;\;x_n\right)$ majorizes the number array $ \left(m;\;m;\;...;\;m\right)$, where $ m = \frac {x_1 + x_2 + ... + x_n}{n}$ is the arithmetic mean of the numbers $ x_1$, $ x_2$, ..., $ x_n$: In fact, the two number arrays have the same sum of elements, but the elements of the second number array lie nearer to each other (they are all equal). Alas, this viewpoint does not help one to really understand what majorization is about.

Well, I know there is more to say. For instance, the Karamata inequality has a kind of converse, but I am not sure how it is formulated, so I leave this to the other MathLinkers more used to inequalities.

Darij
This post has been edited 5 times. Last edited by darij grinberg, Mar 29, 2009, 12:10 AM
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ADMann94
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Where can I find a proof of this?

Alex
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fuzzylogic
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ADMann94 wrote:
Where can I find a proof of this?

Alex

Probably in this book.
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ADMann94
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Thanks!

Alex
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Megus
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I heard that Karamata inequality is indeed Littlewood-Hardy inequality so which name is correct or maybe both [the question is: which name shall I pull out during the contest ]?
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darij grinberg
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Best refer to it as "Karamata Majorization Inequality". As for Littlewood and Hardy, it's true that they have discovered it independently from Karamata, but I personally have never seen anybody naming it for Littlewood and Hardy.

Darij
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Megus
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Ok - I asked beacuse of guys who laughed at me when had heard Karamata :D
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flip2004
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Let $ {\mathbf x}=(x_1,x_2,...,x_n)  , {\mathbf y}=(y_1,y_2,...,y_n) $
and $ {\mathbf A}=||a_{i,j}|| $ a $n\times n $ matrix having properties:
1) all $a_{i,j} \ge 0 $ ,
2) $ \sum\limits_{i=1}^na_{i,j}= \sum\limits_{j=1}^{n}a_{i,j}=1 $ for $ i,j=1,2,...,n.$

If $ {\mathbf x} $ is given in $ {\mathbf R}^n $ and $ {\mathbf y}^T=A{\mathbf x}^T $ ( where ${\mathbf x}^T $ denotes the transpose of ${\mathbf x}$) , what we can say about $ {\mathbf y} $ ?
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darij grinberg
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Well, we can say that $\left\{ \mathbf{x}\right\} \succ \left\{ \mathbf{y}\right\} $. And conversely, if we have two vectors $\left\{ \mathbf{x}\right\} $ and $\left\{ \mathbf{y}\right\} $ such that $\left\{ \mathbf{x}\right\} \succ \left\{ \mathbf{y}\right\} $, then we can find a matrix $\mathbf{A}$ with the properties 1) and 2) such that $ {\mathbf y}^T=\mathbf{A}{\mathbf x}^T $. This is a result found by Karamata.

Darij
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by darij grinberg, Oct 17, 2004, 6:42 PM
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Myth
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Actually, true Jensen inequality is
\[a_1f(x_1)+a_2f(x_2)+\dots+a_nf(x_n)\geq f(a_1x_1+\dots+a_nx_n)\],
where $f$ is convex function, $a_i\in[0,1]$ and $a_1+\dots+a_n=1$.
$a_i=\frac{1}{n}$ is a particular case only.
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flip2004
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Hi all,
here is a very interesting paper related to discussed subject:

[*] A. OSTROWSKI , Sur quelques applications des fonctions convexes et concaves au sens de I. Schur, J.Math.Pures.Appl., (9) 31 (1952) 253-292.

Other possible references :

[1] G.H.Hardy , J.E.Littlewood, G.P\'olya , Some simple inequalities satisfied by convex functions, Messenger Math., 58 (1928/29) 145-152.
[2] J.Karamata , Sur une in\'egalit\'e relative aux fonctions convexes, Publ.Math.Univ. Belgrade 1 (1932) 145-158.
[3] T.Popoviciu , Notes sur les fonctions convexes d'ordre sup\'erieur ,III,Mathematica (Cluj) 16 (1940) 74-86.
[4] T.Popoviciu , Notes sur les fonctions convexes d'ordre sup\'erieur ,IV,Disquisitiones Mathematicae 1(1940) 163-171.
[5] T.Popoviciu , Les fonctions convexes, Actualit\'esci.Ind. No.992,Paris,1945.
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Xixas
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I have a very simple question, which does not let me understand many things. So, can anyone explain me, what functions are called convex and what functions are called concave?
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Myth
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Let $f:[a,b]\to \mathbb{R}$. Then $f$ is called convex function iff
\[k\cdot f(x)+(1-k)\cdot f(y)\geq f(kx+(1-k)y)\quad \forall x,y\in [a,b],\ \forall k\in[0,1].\]

If function $f$ is differentiable then $f$ is convex iff $f''(x)\geq 0$ for all $x\in[a,b]$.
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Xixas
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Another question: which functions are differentable? Can you give an example of non-differentable function?
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Myth
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Take $f(x)=|x|$. It is convex non-differentiable function.
To know what is differentiable functions you need any analysis book.
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perfect_radio
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darij wrote:
Well, I know there is more to say. For instance, the Karamata inequality has a kind of converse, but I am not sure how it is formulated, so I leave this to the other MathLinkers more used to inequalities.

anyone know what is this converse?
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by perfect_radio, Apr 23, 2006, 5:11 PM
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Bojan Basic
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I think it is the following (although I see absolutely no use of it):

If $\displaystyle\sum f(x_i)\geqslant\sum f(y_i)$ for every convex function $f$ then $(x)\succ(y)$.

Could somebody post a counter example or (even better) prove this?
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fleeting_guest
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The converse is proved by considering the inequality for:
constant functions (conclusion: vectors $x$ and $y$ have equal number of components),
linear functions (conclusion: $\Sigma x = \Sigma y$), and
functions of the form $\max(0,x-a)$ (conclusion: the majorization conditions).

Any convex $f$ is (on the given finite set of points) equal to a positive linear combination of these 3 types of functions.
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fleeting_guest
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darij grinberg wrote:
Best refer to it as "Karamata Majorization Inequality". As for Littlewood and Hardy, it's true that they have discovered it independently from Karamata, but I personally have never seen anybody naming it for Littlewood and Hardy.

Karamata published later than Hardy,Littlewood and Polya, and in any case majorization was independently discovered many times before and after all these publications. There is a history in Marshall and Olkin's book on majorization. In the Anglo-Saxon countries it is called "majorization inequality" or "Hardy-Littlewood-Polya" majorization inequality".
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darij grinberg
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Bojan Basic wrote:
I think it is the following (although I see absolutely no use of it):

If $\displaystyle\sum f(x_i)\geqslant\sum f(y_i)$ for every convex function $f$ then $(x)\succ(y)$.

There is a stonger version of this: If $\sum f\left(x_i\right)\geq\sum f\left(y_i\right)$ holds for every function f of the form f(x) = |x - u| (with u constant), then $\left(x\right)\succ\left(y\right)$. This is actually Lemma 1 in http://www.mathlinks.ro/Forum/viewtopic.php?t=19097 post #11.

darij
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Peter
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darij grinberg wrote:
5. The Jensen inequality is a special case of the Karamata inequality. In fact, if $\displaystyle m=\frac{x_1+x_2+...+x_n}{n}$ is the arithmetic mean of the numbers $x_1$, $x_2$, ..., $x_n$, then you can easily show (little exercise!) that the number array $\left(x_1;\;x_2;\;...;\;x_n\right)$ majorizes the number array $\left(m;\;m;\;...;\;m\right)$. Hence, the Karamata inequality yields:

If f(x) is any convex function, then

$f\left( x_1\right) + f\left( x_2\right) + ... + f\left( x_n\right) \geq n f\left( m\right)$,

i. e.

$\displaystyle \frac{f\left( x_1\right) + f\left( x_2\right) + ... + f\left( x_n\right)}{n} \geq f\left( m\right)$.

If f(x) is a concave function instead, then we instead have

$f\left( x_1\right) + f\left( x_2\right) + ... + f\left( x_n\right) \leq n f\left( m\right)$,

i. e.

$\displaystyle \frac{f\left( x_1\right) + f\left( x_2\right) + ... + f\left( x_n\right)}{n} \leq f\left( m\right)$.

Of course, this is exactly the Jensen inequality.
Myth wrote:
Actually, true Jensen inequality is
\[a_1f(x_1)+a_2f(x_2)+\dots+a_nf(x_n)\geq f(a_1x_1+\dots+a_nx_n)\],
where $f$ is convex function, $a_i\in[0,1]$ and $a_1+\dots+a_n=1$.
$a_i=\frac{1}{n}$ is a particular case only.

Ok, then is there a way to deduce "real" jensen ineq from karamata? :)

It looks like we could extend to rationals and then to reals, but I wonder if someone had a nicer proof, or someone knew sort of a "weighed karamata"?
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k2c901_1
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Is there a continuous or integral analog to this inequality?
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MysticTerminator
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Peter VDD wrote:
darij grinberg wrote:
5. The Jensen inequality is a special case of the Karamata inequality. In fact, if $\displaystyle m=\frac{x_1+x_2+...+x_n}{n}$ is the arithmetic mean of the numbers $x_1$, $x_2$, ..., $x_n$, then you can easily show (little exercise!) that the number array $\left(x_1;\;x_2;\;...;\;x_n\right)$ majorizes the number array $\left(m;\;m;\;...;\;m\right)$. Hence, the Karamata inequality yields:

If f(x) is any convex function, then

$f\left( x_1\right) + f\left( x_2\right) + ... + f\left( x_n\right) \geq n f\left( m\right)$,

i. e.

$\displaystyle \frac{f\left( x_1\right) + f\left( x_2\right) + ... + f\left( x_n\right)}{n} \geq f\left( m\right)$.

If f(x) is a concave function instead, then we instead have

$f\left( x_1\right) + f\left( x_2\right) + ... + f\left( x_n\right) \leq n f\left( m\right)$,

i. e.

$\displaystyle \frac{f\left( x_1\right) + f\left( x_2\right) + ... + f\left( x_n\right)}{n} \leq f\left( m\right)$.

Of course, this is exactly the Jensen inequality.
Myth wrote:
Actually, true Jensen inequality is
\[a_1f(x_1)+a_2f(x_2)+\dots+a_nf(x_n)\geq f(a_1x_1+\dots+a_nx_n)\],
where $f$ is convex function, $a_i\in[0,1]$ and $a_1+\dots+a_n=1$.
$a_i=\frac{1}{n}$ is a particular case only.

Ok, then is there a way to deduce "real" jensen ineq from karamata? :)

It looks like we could extend to rationals and then to reals, but I wonder if someone had a nicer proof, or someone knew sort of a "weighed karamata"?

I think Darij posted something known as "Fuchs" in theorems & formula section
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lomos_lupin
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Hmm.Guys do we have the Karamata for the productive case to :

Like this:
let $X=(x_1,...,x_n),Y=(y_1,...,y_n)$That $x \succ Y$ and $f$ be a convex function.
then
$f(x_1)*f(x_2)*...*f(x_n) \ge f(y_1)*f(y_2)*...*f(y_n)$

An idea
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Soarer
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this kind of majorization exists, and the inequality you mentioned exists, even for the weighted version I think it exists. But then, you can just take log and it all becomes the normal one.
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Soarer
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darij grinberg wrote:
Well, we can say that $\left\{ \mathbf{x}\right\} \succ \left\{ \mathbf{y}\right\} $. And conversely, if we have two vectors $\left\{ \mathbf{x}\right\} $ and $\left\{ \mathbf{y}\right\} $ such that $\left\{ \mathbf{x}\right\} \succ \left\{ \mathbf{y}\right\} $, then we can find a matrix $\mathbf{A}$ with the properties 1) and 2) such that $ {\mathbf y}^T=\mathbf{A}{\mathbf x}^T $. This is a result found by Karamata.

Darij

can you show a proof?
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perfect_radio
2607 posts
#27 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
i have two questions:

(1) Can Karamata be proven by Jensen?

(2) How do you prove the Fuchs inequality?
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Peter
3615 posts
#28 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
perfect_radio wrote:
(2) How do you prove the Fuchs inequality?
I wonder about that one too... however I'm afraid that it's not quite elementary.

PS: Can one prove weighted jensen/muirhead from fuchs
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Diarmuid
176 posts
#29 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
lomos_lupin wrote:
Hmm.Guys do we have the Karamata for the productive case to :

Like this:
let $X=(x_1,...,x_n),Y=(y_1,...,y_n)$That $x \succ Y$ and $f$ be a convex function.
then
$f(x_1)*f(x_2)*...*f(x_n) \ge f(y_1)*f(y_2)*...*f(y_n)$

My guess (although it's only a guess) would be that you'd need a stronger condition on $f$ for this to hold - probably something like $g(x)=\ln f(x)$ would need to be convex, to convert it back to the additive form.
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DPopov
1398 posts
#30 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
So is Muirhead simply a special case of Karamata?
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Rzeszut
581 posts
#31 • 3 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247, and 1 other user
k2c901_1 wrote:
Is there a continuous or integral analog to this inequality?
I also wonder if the following is true:
Let $\varphi$ and $\psi$ be two functions defined on interval $\langle a,b\rangle$ satisfying:
1. $\int_{a}^{c}\varphi(t)dt\geq \int_{a}^{c}\psi(t)dt$ for any $c\in \langle a,b\rangle$;
2. $\int_{a}^{b}\varphi(t)dt= \int_{a}^{b}\psi(t)dt$.
Then for any convex function $f$ we have \[\int_{a}^{b}f\left(\varphi(x)\right)\geq \int_{a}^{b}f\left(\psi(x)\right).\] I hope someone can prove it or give a counterexample.
Maybe some majorization theory theorems work also for majorization defined in 1. and 2.? Maybe continuous Muirhead?
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perfect_radio
2607 posts
#32 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
Peter VDD proved here something that reminds me of Karamata for two variables.
Peter VDD wrote:
Theorem.
Let $f(t)$ be a smooth nonnegative function which is convex on $[a,b]$ and let $[x,y]\subset[a,b]$ such that $x+y=a+b$. Then we have
\[\frac{\dsp\int^{b}_{a}f(t) dt}{b-a}\ge \frac{\dsp\int^{y}_{x}f(t) dt}{y-x}.\]

But it's not really what you want. It would be very nice if your conjecture was true :)
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bodan
267 posts
#33 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
The inequality Rzeszut proposed exists, and I think even Muirhead for integrals exists. I will post them as soon as I find them.
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bodan
267 posts
#34 • 4 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247, and 2 other users
Look here.
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Rzeszut
581 posts
#35 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
bodan wrote:
Look here.
Thanks a lot. :coolspeak:
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sunchips
202 posts
#36 • 1 Y
Y by Adventure10
On Olympiad competition, if you use Karamata, do you need justification? or can you just cite it.

For example, I heard that often markers discourage the use of Muirhead.
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amgaa36
5 posts
#37 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
Is there any example?
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derezin
32 posts
#38 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
Megus wrote:
Ok - I asked beacuse of guys who laughed at me when had heard Karamata :D
And we will always laugh! :heli:
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BG Yoda
163 posts
#39 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
Can someone give me links with problems solved by Karamata ineq , please :oops: ?
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quangpbc
533 posts
#40 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
Eg

http://www.mathlinks.ro/Forum/viewtopic.php?search_id=1726203183&t=166411

http://www.mathlinks.ro/Forum/viewtopic.php?search_id=1726203183&t=163149

http://www.mathlinks.ro/Forum/viewtopic.php?search_id=1726203183&t=160484

Please use Search tool, you can find a lots of ex about Karamata inequality :wink:

http://www.mathlinks.ro/Forum/search.php
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BG Yoda
163 posts
#41 • 1 Y
Y by Adventure10
Thank you very much , quangpbc :thumbup:

i'm new in the forum and because of that i didn't used the search function :blush:
next time i'll know abaut it and i'll use it . thanks for that , too :D
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Fu_Manchu
45 posts
#42 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
I post a more general version of Karamata's inequality in here.
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