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k a May Highlights and 2025 AoPS Online Class Information
jlacosta   0
May 1, 2025
May is an exciting month! National MATHCOUNTS is the second week of May in Washington D.C. and our Founder, Richard Rusczyk will be presenting a seminar, Preparing Strong Math Students for College and Careers, on May 11th.

Are you interested in working towards MATHCOUNTS and don’t know where to start? We have you covered! If you have taken Prealgebra, then you are ready for MATHCOUNTS/AMC 8 Basics. Already aiming for State or National MATHCOUNTS and harder AMC 8 problems? Then our MATHCOUNTS/AMC 8 Advanced course is for you.

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0 replies
jlacosta
May 1, 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
Integer polynomial commutes with sum of digits
cjquines0   42
N 4 minutes ago by dolphinday
Source: 2016 IMO Shortlist N1
For any positive integer $k$, denote the sum of digits of $k$ in its decimal representation by $S(k)$. Find all polynomials $P(x)$ with integer coefficients such that for any positive integer $n \geq 2016$, the integer $P(n)$ is positive and $$S(P(n)) = P(S(n)).$$
Proposed by Warut Suksompong, Thailand
42 replies
1 viewing
cjquines0
Jul 19, 2017
dolphinday
4 minutes ago
An easy combinatorics
fananhminh   1
N 4 minutes ago by Soupboy0
Source: Vietnam
Let S={1, 2, 3,..., 65}. A is a subset of S such that the sum of A's elements is not divided by any element in A. Find the maximum of |A|.
1 reply
fananhminh
13 minutes ago
Soupboy0
4 minutes ago
Ah, easy one
irregular22104   0
13 minutes ago
Source: Own
In the number series $1,9,9,9,8,...,$ every next number (from the fifth number) is the unit number of the sum of the four numbers preceding it. Is there any cases that we get the numbers $1234$ and $5678$ in this series?
0 replies
irregular22104
13 minutes ago
0 replies
PA = QB
zhaoli   8
N 14 minutes ago by pku
Source: China North MO 2005-1
$AB$ is a chord of a circle with center $O$, $M$ is the midpoint of $AB$. A non-diameter chord is drawn through $M$ and intersects the circle at $C$ and $D$. The tangents of the circle from points $C$ and $D$ intersect line $AB$ at $P$ and $Q$, respectively. Prove that $PA$ = $QB$.
8 replies
zhaoli
Sep 2, 2005
pku
14 minutes ago
student that has at least 10 friends
parmenides51   2
N 20 minutes ago by AylyGayypow009
Source: 2023 Greece JBMO TST P1
A class has $24$ students. Each group consisting of three of the students meet, and choose one of the other $21$ students, A, to make him a gift. In this case, A considers each member of the group that offered him a gift as being his friend. Prove that there is a student that has at least $10$ friends.
2 replies
parmenides51
May 17, 2024
AylyGayypow009
20 minutes ago
Interesting inequality
sealight2107   6
N 29 minutes ago by TNKT
Source: Own
Let $a,b,c>0$ such that $a+b+c=3$. Find the minimum value of:
$Q=\frac{a}{b}+\frac{b}{c}+\frac{c}{a}+\frac{1}{a^3+b^3+abc}+\frac{1}{b^3+c^3+abc}+\frac{1}{c^3+a^3+abc}$
6 replies
sealight2107
May 6, 2025
TNKT
29 minutes ago
truncated cone box packing problem
chomk   0
30 minutes ago
box : 48*48*32
truncated cone: upper circle(radius=2), lower circle(radius=8), height=12

how many truncated cones are packed in a box?

0 replies
chomk
30 minutes ago
0 replies
Dwarfes and river
RagvaloD   8
N 38 minutes ago by AngryKnot
Source: All Russian Olympiad 2017,Day1,grade 9,P3
There are $100$ dwarfes with weight $1,2,...,100$. They sit on the left riverside. They can not swim, but they have one boat with capacity 100. River has strong river flow, so every dwarf has power only for one passage from right side to left as oarsman. On every passage can be only one oarsman. Can all dwarfes get to right riverside?
8 replies
RagvaloD
May 3, 2017
AngryKnot
38 minutes ago
Hard Inequality
Asilbek777   1
N an hour ago by m4thbl3nd3r
Waits for Solution
1 reply
Asilbek777
an hour ago
m4thbl3nd3r
an hour ago
Proving that these are concyclic.
Acrylic3491   1
N an hour ago by Funcshun840
In $\bigtriangleup ABC$, points $P$ and $Q$ are isogonal conjugates. The tangent to $(BPC)$ at $P$ and the tangent to $(BQC)$ at Q, meet at $R$. $AR$ intersects $(ABC)$ at $D$. Prove that points $P$,$Q$, $R$ and $D$ are concyclic.

Any hints on this ?
1 reply
Acrylic3491
Today at 9:06 AM
Funcshun840
an hour ago
Concurrent Gergonnians in Pentagon
numbertheorist17   18
N an hour ago by Ilikeminecraft
Source: USA TSTST 2014, Problem 2
Consider a convex pentagon circumscribed about a circle. We name the lines that connect vertices of the pentagon with the opposite points of tangency with the circle gergonnians.
(a) Prove that if four gergonnians are conncurrent, the all five of them are concurrent.
(b) Prove that if there is a triple of gergonnians that are concurrent, then there is another triple of gergonnians that are concurrent.
18 replies
numbertheorist17
Jul 16, 2014
Ilikeminecraft
an hour ago
Planes and cities
RagvaloD   11
N an hour ago by AngryKnot
Source: All Russian Olympiad 2017,Day1,grade 9,P1
In country some cities are connected by oneway flights( There are no more then one flight between two cities). City $A$ called "available" for city $B$, if there is flight from $B$ to $A$, maybe with some transfers. It is known, that for every 2 cities $P$ and $Q$ exist city $R$, such that $P$ and $Q$ are available from $R$. Prove, that exist city $A$, such that every city is available for $A$.
11 replies
RagvaloD
May 3, 2017
AngryKnot
an hour ago
Hard geometry
Lukariman   4
N an hour ago by Lukariman
Given circle (O) and chord AB with different diameters. The tangents of circle (O) at A and B intersect at point P. On the small arc AB, take point C so that triangle CAB is not isosceles. The lines CA and BP intersect at D, BC and AP intersect at E. Prove that the centers of the circles circumscribing triangles ACE, BCD and OPC are collinear.
4 replies
Lukariman
Today at 4:28 AM
Lukariman
an hour ago
Three concurrent circles
jayme   0
an hour ago
Source: own?
Dear Mathlinkers,

1. ABC a triangle
2. 0 the circumcircle
3. Tb, Tc the tangents to 0 wrt. B, C
4. D the point of intersection of Tb and Tc
5. B', C' the symmetrics of B, C wrt AC, AB
6. 1b, 1c the circumcircles of the triangles BB'D, CC'D.

Prove : 1b, 1c and 0 are concurrents.

Sincerely
Jean-Louis
0 replies
jayme
an hour ago
0 replies
Half concave and half convex theorem
zhaobin   18
N Aug 11, 2011 by zdyzhj
Source: zhaobin
Hey guys,here is my new idea.If it is right.it may be easy.but I think it will be nice,useful and great. :)
I hope somebody can intreast in my idea,thanks ;) .And I wonder if others think it before :)
theorem1 $x_1,x_2,\cdots,x_n$ are n real numbers,such that
$(i),x_1 \le x_2 \le \cdots \le x_n$
$(ii), x_1 , x_2 , \cdots , x_n \in \left[ a ,b \right]$
$(iii)x_1+x_2+\cdots+x_n=C$ (C is contant)
and $f$ is a function on $\left[a,b\right]$ ,if $f$ convave on $\left[ a,c \right]$ and convex on $\left[c,b\right]$
LET $F=f(x_1)+f(x_2)+\cdots+f(x_n)$
then:$F$ is minimal for $x_1=x_2=\cdots=x_{k-1}=a,x_{k+1}=\cdots=x_n$ ($k=1,2\cdots,n$)
and $F$ is maximal for $x_1=x_2=\cdots=x_{k-1},x_{k+1}=\cdots=x_n=b$($k=1,2\cdots,n$)
Proof:just for the minimal(maximal is simalar).by induction.
If there is no ${x_1,x_2,\cdots,x_n}$ or just $x_1 \in \left[a,c\right]$,then the theorem is certainly true.
this is because $x_2,x_3,\cdots,x_n \in \left[c,b\right]$ so that $f(x_1)+f(x_2)+\cdots+f(x_n) \ge f(x_1)+(n-1)f(\frac{x_2,x_3,\cdots,x_n}{n-1})$
if there have $x_1,x_2,\cdots,x_i \in \left[a,c\right]$
case(i) $x_1+x_2+\cdots+x_i-(i-1)a <c$,we can get
$f(x_1)+f(x_2)+\cdots+f(x_i) \ge (i-1)f(a)+f(x_1+x_2+\cdots+x_i-(i-1)a)$
case(ii) assume $m,(1 \le m \le i)$ be the minimum interger such that $x_1+x_2+\cdots+x_m-(m-1)a \ge c$
then we obtian
$f(x_1)+f(x_2)+\cdots+f(x_m) \ge (m-1)f(a)+f(x_1+x_2+\cdots+x_{m-1}-(m-2)a)+f(x_m) \ge (m-1)f(a)+f(x_1+x_2+\cdots+x_{m-1}+x_m-c-(m-2)a)+f(c)$
we reduce it to be $i-1$ case.
so the theorem is proven.
theorem1'$x_1,x_2,\cdots,x_n$ are n real numbers,such that
$(i),x_1 \le x_2 \le \cdots \le x_n$
$(ii), x_1 , x_2 , \cdots , x_n \in \left[a,b\right]$
$(iii)x_1+x_2+\cdots+x_n=C$ (C is contant)
and $f$ is a function on $\left[a,b\right]$ ,if $f$ convex on $\left[a,c\right]$ and concave on $\left[c,b\right]$
LET $F=f(x_1)+f(x_2)+\cdots+f(x_n)$
then:$F$ is minimal for $x_1=x_2=\cdots=x_{k-1},x_{k+1}=\cdots=x_n=b$ ($k=1,2\cdots,n$)
and $F$ is maximal for $x_1=x_2=\cdots=x_{k-1}=a,x_{k+1}=\cdots=x_n$($k=1,2\cdots,n$)
proof is similar to theorem1.
Application
1.http://www.mathlinks.ro/Forum/viewtopic.php?highlight=1%2B%5C%5Ccos&t=59649
Let ABC be an acute-angled triangle,Prove:
$\sum \frac{\cos^2{A}}{\cos{A}+1}\ge\frac{1}{2}$
proof:just let ${f(x)=\cos^2{x}}{\cos{x}+1}$ you will find $f$ satisfy the condtion with theorem1',
so we just need to prove :
$\frac{\cos^2{A}}{\cos{A}+1}+\frac{\cos^2{B}}{\cos{B}+1}\ge\frac{1}{2}(A+B=\frac{\pi}{2})$
or $\sum \frac{\cos^2{A}}{\cos{A}+1}\ge\frac{1}{2}$($A=B$)

2..http://www.mathlinks.ro/Forum/viewtopic.php?t=64122
$a,b,c \ge 0$
$\sqrt{1+\frac{48a}{b+c}}+\sqrt{1+\frac{48b}{c+a}}+\sqrt{1+\frac{48c}{a+b}} \ge 15$
proof:let $x=\frac{a}{a+b+c}$ and y,z similar
notice $\sqrt{1+\frac{48a}{b+c}}=\sqrt{\frac{48}{1-x}-47}$
and let $f(t)=\sqrt{\frac{48}{1-t}-47}$you will find $f$ satisfy the condtion with theorem1,
wlog $x \le y \le z$ then we should only to prove
$f(y)+f(z) \ge 15$($y+z=1$) or $f(x)+f(y)+f(z) \ge 15$($y=z$)
theorem2 $x_1,x_2,\cdots,x_n$ are n real numbers,such that
$(i),x_1 \le x_2 \le \cdots \le x_n$
$(ii), x_1 , x_2 , \cdots , x_n \in \left( -\infty ,+\infty \right)$
$(iii)x_1+x_2+\cdots+x_n=C$ (C is contant)
and $f$ is a function on $\left( -\infty ,+\infty \right)$ ,if $f$ convave on $\left(-\infty,c \right]$ and convex on $\left[c,+\infty \right)$
LET $F=f(x_1)+f(x_2)+\cdots+f(x_n)$
then:$F$ is minimal for $x_{2}=x_3=\cdots =x_n$
and $F$ is maximal for $x_1=x_2=\cdots =x_{n-1}$
Proof:just for the minimal(maximal is simalar).
assume $x_1,x_2,\cdots,x_i \in \left(-\infty,c \right]$
because $f$ convave on $\left(-\infty,c \right]$
then we get $f(x_1)+f(x_2)+\cdots+f(x_i) \ge (i-1)f(c)+f(x_1+x_2+\cdots+x_i-(i-1)c)$
and $(i-1)f(c)+f(x_{i+1})+f(x_{i+2})+\cdots+f(x_{n}) \ge (n-1)f(\frac{(i-1)c+x_{i+1}+\cdots+x_n}{n-1})$
so $f(x_1)+f(x_2)+\cdots+f(x_n) \ge (n-1)f(\frac{(i-1)c+x_{i+1}+\cdots+x_n}{n-1})+f(x_1+x_2+\cdots+x_i-(i-1)c)$
so the theorem2 is proved.
theorem2' $x_1,x_2,\cdots,x_n$ are n real numbers,such that
$(i),x_1 \le x_2 \le \cdots \le x_n$
$(ii), x_1 , x_2 , \cdots , x_n \in \left( -\infty ,+\infty \right)$
$(iii)x_1+x_2+\cdots+x_n=C$ (C is contant)
and $f$ is a function on $\left( -\infty ,+\infty \right)$ ,if $f$ convex on $\left(-\infty,c \right]$ and concave on $\left[c,+\infty \right)$
LET $F=f(x_1)+f(x_2)+\cdots+f(x_n)$
then:$F$ is minimal for $x_{1}=x_3=\cdots =x_{n-1}$
and $F$ is maximal for $x_2=x_2=\cdots =x_{n}$

Application
http://www.mathlinks.ro/Forum/viewtopic.php?t=32031
http://www.mathlinks.ro/Forum/viewtopic.php?t=64793
$x,y,z \ge 0$
find the minimum of $\frac{1}{(1+x)^k}+\frac{1}{(1+y)^k}+\frac{1}{(1+z)^k}$
proof:let $f(t)=\frac 1{(1+e^t)^k}$ then we calculate that
$f\"(t)=\frac{e^x(k(k+1)e^x-k)}{(1+e^x)^{k+2}}$
which impies it can use theorem2 .
Wlog $x \le y \le z$
by theorem2 I think we should only consider the case $y=z$
I think it can also work when find the maximum of $\frac{1}{(1+x)^k}+\frac{1}{(1+y)^k}+\frac{1}{(1+z)^k}$.


And I think there may be another more applications,If you find,please write it here,thanks :) ,and If there is something wrong in my post please point it out for me.thanks :)and welcome any advice.
(and I find the theorem2 is a little similar to VASC's Right-Convex Function Theorem )
18 replies
zhaobin
Dec 8, 2005
zdyzhj
Aug 11, 2011
Half concave and half convex theorem
G H J
Source: zhaobin
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
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zhaobin
2382 posts
#1 • 20 Y
Y by mahanmath, jatin, alibez, zabihpourmahdi, fractals, Grotex, daisyxixi, adityaguharoy, Adventure10, Mango247, and 10 other users
Hey guys,here is my new idea.If it is right.it may be easy.but I think it will be nice,useful and great. :)
I hope somebody can intreast in my idea,thanks ;) .And I wonder if others think it before :)
theorem1 $x_1,x_2,\cdots,x_n$ are n real numbers,such that
$(i),x_1 \le x_2 \le \cdots \le x_n$
$(ii), x_1 , x_2 , \cdots , x_n \in \left[ a ,b \right]$
$(iii)x_1+x_2+\cdots+x_n=C$ (C is contant)
and $f$ is a function on $\left[a,b\right]$ ,if $f$ convave on $\left[ a,c \right]$ and convex on $\left[c,b\right]$
LET $F=f(x_1)+f(x_2)+\cdots+f(x_n)$
then:$F$ is minimal for $x_1=x_2=\cdots=x_{k-1}=a,x_{k+1}=\cdots=x_n$ ($k=1,2\cdots,n$)
and $F$ is maximal for $x_1=x_2=\cdots=x_{k-1},x_{k+1}=\cdots=x_n=b$($k=1,2\cdots,n$)
Proof:just for the minimal(maximal is simalar).by induction.
If there is no ${x_1,x_2,\cdots,x_n}$ or just $x_1 \in \left[a,c\right]$,then the theorem is certainly true.
this is because $x_2,x_3,\cdots,x_n \in \left[c,b\right]$ so that $f(x_1)+f(x_2)+\cdots+f(x_n) \ge f(x_1)+(n-1)f(\frac{x_2,x_3,\cdots,x_n}{n-1})$
if there have $x_1,x_2,\cdots,x_i \in \left[a,c\right]$
case(i) $x_1+x_2+\cdots+x_i-(i-1)a <c$,we can get
$f(x_1)+f(x_2)+\cdots+f(x_i) \ge (i-1)f(a)+f(x_1+x_2+\cdots+x_i-(i-1)a)$
case(ii) assume $m,(1 \le m \le i)$ be the minimum interger such that $x_1+x_2+\cdots+x_m-(m-1)a \ge c$
then we obtian
$f(x_1)+f(x_2)+\cdots+f(x_m) \ge (m-1)f(a)+f(x_1+x_2+\cdots+x_{m-1}-(m-2)a)+f(x_m) \ge (m-1)f(a)+f(x_1+x_2+\cdots+x_{m-1}+x_m-c-(m-2)a)+f(c)$
we reduce it to be $i-1$ case.
so the theorem is proven.
theorem1'$x_1,x_2,\cdots,x_n$ are n real numbers,such that
$(i),x_1 \le x_2 \le \cdots \le x_n$
$(ii), x_1 , x_2 , \cdots , x_n \in \left[a,b\right]$
$(iii)x_1+x_2+\cdots+x_n=C$ (C is contant)
and $f$ is a function on $\left[a,b\right]$ ,if $f$ convex on $\left[a,c\right]$ and concave on $\left[c,b\right]$
LET $F=f(x_1)+f(x_2)+\cdots+f(x_n)$
then:$F$ is minimal for $x_1=x_2=\cdots=x_{k-1},x_{k+1}=\cdots=x_n=b$ ($k=1,2\cdots,n$)
and $F$ is maximal for $x_1=x_2=\cdots=x_{k-1}=a,x_{k+1}=\cdots=x_n$($k=1,2\cdots,n$)
proof is similar to theorem1.
Application
1.http://www.mathlinks.ro/Forum/viewtopic.php?highlight=1%2B%5C%5Ccos&t=59649
Let ABC be an acute-angled triangle,Prove:
$\sum \frac{\cos^2{A}}{\cos{A}+1}\ge\frac{1}{2}$
proof:just let ${f(x)=\cos^2{x}}{\cos{x}+1}$ you will find $f$ satisfy the condtion with theorem1',
so we just need to prove :
$\frac{\cos^2{A}}{\cos{A}+1}+\frac{\cos^2{B}}{\cos{B}+1}\ge\frac{1}{2}(A+B=\frac{\pi}{2})$
or $\sum \frac{\cos^2{A}}{\cos{A}+1}\ge\frac{1}{2}$($A=B$)

2..http://www.mathlinks.ro/Forum/viewtopic.php?t=64122
$a,b,c \ge 0$
$\sqrt{1+\frac{48a}{b+c}}+\sqrt{1+\frac{48b}{c+a}}+\sqrt{1+\frac{48c}{a+b}} \ge 15$
proof:let $x=\frac{a}{a+b+c}$ and y,z similar
notice $\sqrt{1+\frac{48a}{b+c}}=\sqrt{\frac{48}{1-x}-47}$
and let $f(t)=\sqrt{\frac{48}{1-t}-47}$you will find $f$ satisfy the condtion with theorem1,
wlog $x \le y \le z$ then we should only to prove
$f(y)+f(z) \ge 15$($y+z=1$) or $f(x)+f(y)+f(z) \ge 15$($y=z$)
theorem2 $x_1,x_2,\cdots,x_n$ are n real numbers,such that
$(i),x_1 \le x_2 \le \cdots \le x_n$
$(ii), x_1 , x_2 , \cdots , x_n \in \left( -\infty ,+\infty \right)$
$(iii)x_1+x_2+\cdots+x_n=C$ (C is contant)
and $f$ is a function on $\left( -\infty ,+\infty \right)$ ,if $f$ convave on $\left(-\infty,c \right]$ and convex on $\left[c,+\infty \right)$
LET $F=f(x_1)+f(x_2)+\cdots+f(x_n)$
then:$F$ is minimal for $x_{2}=x_3=\cdots =x_n$
and $F$ is maximal for $x_1=x_2=\cdots =x_{n-1}$
Proof:just for the minimal(maximal is simalar).
assume $x_1,x_2,\cdots,x_i \in \left(-\infty,c \right]$
because $f$ convave on $\left(-\infty,c \right]$
then we get $f(x_1)+f(x_2)+\cdots+f(x_i) \ge (i-1)f(c)+f(x_1+x_2+\cdots+x_i-(i-1)c)$
and $(i-1)f(c)+f(x_{i+1})+f(x_{i+2})+\cdots+f(x_{n}) \ge (n-1)f(\frac{(i-1)c+x_{i+1}+\cdots+x_n}{n-1})$
so $f(x_1)+f(x_2)+\cdots+f(x_n) \ge (n-1)f(\frac{(i-1)c+x_{i+1}+\cdots+x_n}{n-1})+f(x_1+x_2+\cdots+x_i-(i-1)c)$
so the theorem2 is proved.
theorem2' $x_1,x_2,\cdots,x_n$ are n real numbers,such that
$(i),x_1 \le x_2 \le \cdots \le x_n$
$(ii), x_1 , x_2 , \cdots , x_n \in \left( -\infty ,+\infty \right)$
$(iii)x_1+x_2+\cdots+x_n=C$ (C is contant)
and $f$ is a function on $\left( -\infty ,+\infty \right)$ ,if $f$ convex on $\left(-\infty,c \right]$ and concave on $\left[c,+\infty \right)$
LET $F=f(x_1)+f(x_2)+\cdots+f(x_n)$
then:$F$ is minimal for $x_{1}=x_3=\cdots =x_{n-1}$
and $F$ is maximal for $x_2=x_2=\cdots =x_{n}$

Application
http://www.mathlinks.ro/Forum/viewtopic.php?t=32031
http://www.mathlinks.ro/Forum/viewtopic.php?t=64793
$x,y,z \ge 0$
find the minimum of $\frac{1}{(1+x)^k}+\frac{1}{(1+y)^k}+\frac{1}{(1+z)^k}$
proof:let $f(t)=\frac 1{(1+e^t)^k}$ then we calculate that
$f\"(t)=\frac{e^x(k(k+1)e^x-k)}{(1+e^x)^{k+2}}$
which impies it can use theorem2 .
Wlog $x \le y \le z$
by theorem2 I think we should only consider the case $y=z$
I think it can also work when find the maximum of $\frac{1}{(1+x)^k}+\frac{1}{(1+y)^k}+\frac{1}{(1+z)^k}$.


And I think there may be another more applications,If you find,please write it here,thanks :) ,and If there is something wrong in my post please point it out for me.thanks :)and welcome any advice.
(and I find the theorem2 is a little similar to VASC's Right-Convex Function Theorem )
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Vasc
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#2 • 8 Y
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I agree on Theorem 1 and 1'.
With regard to Theorem 2 and 2', there is a formulation trouble (problem), because it is possible that $F$ is not minimal/maximal.
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zhaobin
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#3 • 6 Y
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thanks very much,VASC.
can we add a condition that $f(x)$ upbound or lowbound
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Vasc
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#4 • 6 Y
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I think we can use a more general formulation. For example,
Theorem2. ...
a) To obtain the minimal value or the greatest lower bound of $F$, it suffices to consider $x_2=x_3=...=x_n$.
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zhaobin
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#5 • 5 Y
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Vasc wrote:
I think we can use a more general formulation. For example,
Theorem2. ...
a) To obtain the minimal value or the greatest lower bound of $F$, it suffices to consider $x_2=x_3=...=x_n$.
yes,you are right.It will be nicer :lol:
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#6 • 7 Y
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I think we can extend theorems 1-1' as follows:

Theorem 1. Let $a,b$ be fixed reals ($a<b$), and let $x_1,x_2,...,x_n$ be real numbers such that
$a\leq x_1\leq x_2\leq... \leq x_n \leq b$ and $x_1+x_2+...+x_n=constant$.
Let $f$ be a function either continuous on $[a,b]$, or continuous on $[a,b)$ and with $\lim_{x\rightarrow b}{f(x)}=\infty$. Moreover,
$f$ is concave on $[a,c]$ and convex on $[c,b)$, where $c\in(a,b)$.
Then, the expression $F=f(x_1)+f(x_2)+...+f(x_n)$ is minimal for $x_1=...=x_{k-1}=a$ and $x_{k+1}=...=x_n>c$,
where $k\in(1,2,...,n)$.

Theorem 2. Let $a,b$ be fixed reals ($a<b$), and let $x_1,x_2,...,x_n$ be real numbers such that
$a\leq x_1\leq x_2\leq... \leq x_n \leq b$ and $x_1+x_2+...+x_n=constant$.
Let $f$ be a function either continuous on $[a,b]$, or continuous on $(a,b]$ and with $\lim_{x\rightarrow a}{f(x)}=-\infty$. Moreover,
$f$ is concave on $(a,c]$ and convex on $[c,b]$, where $c\in(a,b)$.
Then, the expression $F=f(x_1)+f(x_2)+...+f(x_n)$ is maximal for $x_1=...=x_{k-1}<c$ and $x_{k+1}=...=x_n=b$,
where $k\in(1,2,...,n)$.
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zhaobin
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#7 • 6 Y
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thanks.Vasc.
but I think the condition with continuous is not necessary.
because f concave on $[a,c]$ and convex on $[c,b)$ contain f continuous on $(a,c)$ and $(c,b)$
and more:if $f$ is not continuous on $a$ or $b$,the theorem is still true
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zhaobin
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#8 • 5 Y
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now I find two Applications of the theorem 1 or 1'.
$1$,find the minamum the $k>0$ such that for every $a,b,c \ge 0$
we have $\sqrt[k]{\frac a {b+c}}+\sqrt[k]{\frac b {c+a}}+\sqrt[k]{\frac c {a+b}} \ge 3(\frac 1 2)^k$
the answer is $\frac{\ln 3}{\ln 2}-1$
and I think it is a famous one,I haven't see a solution without my theorem before ;) .Now I think I can slove it,but also cost a lot of calclulations :( .
$2$,find the minamum the $k>0$ such that for every $a,b,c \ge 0,a+b+c=3$
we have$\sqrt[k] a +\sqrt[k] b +\sqrt[k] c \ge ab+bc+ca$
it is a generaltion of russian one.It have posted on the forum.As far as I know,no one give a solution.
also it cost a lot of calclulations :( .
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perfect_radio
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#9 • 4 Y
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zhaobin wrote:
Hey guys,here is my new idea.If it is right.it may be easy.but I think it will be nice,useful and great. :)
I hope somebody can intreast in my idea,thanks ;) .And I wonder if others think it before :)

I already knew these theorems from mathlinks (Mildorf). It also appears in his inequalities pdf.

An alternative proof would be by Karamata without induction.
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zhaobin
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#10 • 5 Y
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perfect_radio wrote:
zhaobin wrote:
Hey guys,here is my new idea.If it is right.it may be easy.but I think it will be nice,useful and great. :)
I hope somebody can intreast in my idea,thanks ;) .And I wonder if others think it before :)

I already knew these theorems from mathlinks (Mildorf). It also appears in his inequalities pdf.

An alternative proof would be by Karamata without induction.
sorry,if it is ture. :(
can you upload Mildorf's inequalities pdf?(I can't find it)
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perfect_radio
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#11 • 5 Y
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See here : http://web.mit.edu/~tmildorf/www/Inequalities.pdf . (Problem 21) It's more or less your theorem
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#12 • 5 Y
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ok.thanks, :)
and I come out the idea when I sloving the inequality:
$\sqrt{1+\frac{48a}{b+c}}+\sqrt{1+\frac{48b}{c+a}}+\sqrt{1+\frac{48c}{a+b}} \ge 15$
and
$\sum \frac{\cos^2{A}}{\cos{A}+1}\ge\frac{1}{2}$
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Ji Chen
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#13 • 4 Y
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zhaobin wrote:
If it is right, it may be easy.
theorem1 $x_{1},x_{2},\cdots,x_{n}$ are n real numbers,such that
$(i),x_{1}\le x_{2}\le \cdots \le x_{n}$
$(ii), x_{1}, x_{2}, \cdots , x_{n}\in \left[ a ,b \right]$
$(iii)x_{1}+x_{2}+\cdots+x_{n}=C$ (C is contant)
and $f$ is a function on $\left[a,b\right]$ ,if $f$ convave on $\left[ a,c \right]$ and convex on $\left[c,b\right]$
LET $F=f(x_{1})+f(x_{2})+\cdots+f(x_{n})$
then:$F$ is minimal for $x_{1}=x_{2}=\cdots=x_{k-1}=a,x_{k+1}=\cdots=x_{n}$ ($k=1,2\cdots,n$)
and $F$ is maximal for $x_{1}=x_{2}=\cdots=x_{k-1},x_{k+1}=\cdots=x_{n}=b$($k=1,2\cdots,n$)
This is not ture, for example,

Let $x,y,z$ be nonnegative numbers such that $x+y+z=5$.

$f(x)=5x^{4}-28x^{3}$, then $f''(x)=12x(5x-14)$.

$f(x)$ is convave on $\left[0,\frac{14}{5}\right]$ and convex on $\left[\frac{14}{5},5\right]$.

$f(0)+f(0)+f(5) =-375$,

$f(0)+f(\frac{5}{2})+f(\frac{5}{2})=-\frac{3875}{8}=-484.375$,

$f(\frac{5}{3})+f(\frac{5}{3})+f(\frac{5}{3}) =-\frac{7375}{27}=-273.148\cdots$,

but

$f(x)+f(y)+f(z) \geq f(0)+f(1)+f(4) =-535$.
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perfect_radio
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#14 • 5 Y
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Apparently, the minimum is reached for $a = x_{1}= \ldots = x_{k}\leq x_{k+1}< c \leq x_{k+2}= \ldots = x_{n}$.
This post has been edited 2 times. Last edited by perfect_radio, Feb 5, 2007, 10:31 AM
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zhaobin
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#15 • 4 Y
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Ji Chen wrote:
zhaobin wrote:
If it is right, it may be easy.
theorem1 $x_{1},x_{2},\cdots,x_{n}$ are n real numbers,such that
$(i),x_{1}\le x_{2}\le \cdots \le x_{n}$
$(ii), x_{1}, x_{2}, \cdots , x_{n}\in \left[ a ,b \right]$
$(iii)x_{1}+x_{2}+\cdots+x_{n}=C$ (C is contant)
and $f$ is a function on $\left[a,b\right]$ ,if $f$ convave on $\left[ a,c \right]$ and convex on $\left[c,b\right]$
LET $F=f(x_{1})+f(x_{2})+\cdots+f(x_{n})$
then:$F$ is minimal for $x_{1}=x_{2}=\cdots=x_{k-1}=a,x_{k+1}=\cdots=x_{n}$ ($k=1,2\cdots,n$)
and $F$ is maximal for $x_{1}=x_{2}=\cdots=x_{k-1},x_{k+1}=\cdots=x_{n}=b$($k=1,2\cdots,n$)
This is not ture, for example,

Let $x,y,z$ be nonnegative numbers such that $x+y+z=5$.

$f(x)=5x^{4}-28x^{3}$, then $f''(x)=12x(5x-14)$.

$f(x)$ is convave on $\left[0,\frac{14}{5}\right]$ and convex on $\left[\frac{14}{5},5\right]$.

$f(0)+f(0)+f(5) =-375$,

$f(0)+f(\frac{5}{2})+f(\frac{5}{2})=-\frac{3875}{8}=-484.375$,

$f(\frac{5}{3})+f(\frac{5}{3})+f(\frac{5}{3}) =-\frac{7375}{27}=-273.148\cdots$,

but

$f(x)+f(y)+f(z) \geq f(0)+f(1)+f(4) =-535$.
Note that in the theorem I wrote the $x_{k}$ is not fixed...
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Ji Chen
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#16 • 3 Y
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zhaobin wrote:
Note that in the theorem I wrote the $x_{k}$ is not fixed...
Indeed, you are right. It's useful.
zhaobin wrote:
Application$a,b,c \ge 0$
$\sqrt{1+\frac{48a}{b+c}}+\sqrt{1+\frac{48b}{c+a}}+\sqrt{1+\frac{48c}{a+b}}\ge 15$
proof:let $x=\frac{a}{a+b+c}$ and y,z similar
notice $\sqrt{1+\frac{48a}{b+c}}=\sqrt{\frac{48}{1-x}-47}$
and let $f(t)=\sqrt{\frac{48}{1-t}-47}$you will find $f$ satisfy the condtion with theorem1,
wlog $x \le y \le z$ then we should only to prove
$f(y)+f(z) \ge 15$($y+z=1$) or $f(x)+f(y)+f(z) \ge 15$($y=z$)
a nice example
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kuing
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#17 • 4 Y
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very useful theorem.

Ding Qi...:o
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#18 • 4 Y
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zhaobin wrote:
case(ii) assume $ m,(1 \le m \le i)$ be the minimum interger such that $ x_1 + x_2 + \cdots + x_m - (m - 1)a \ge c$
then we obtian
$ f(x_1) + f(x_2) + \cdots + f(x_m) \ge (m - 1)f(a) + f(x_1 + x_2 + \cdots + x_{m - 1} - (m - 2)a) + f(x_m) \ge (m - 1)f(a) + f(x_1 + x_2 + \cdots + x_{m - 1} + x_m - c - (m - 2)a) + f(c)$
we reduce it to be $ i - 1$ case.
so the theorem is proven.

I think
\[ f(x_1) + f(x_2) + \cdots + f(x_m) \ge (m - 2)f(a) + f(x_1 + x_2 + \cdots + x_{m - 1} - (m - 2)a) + f(x_m) \ge (m - 2)f(a) + f(x_1 + x_2 + \cdots + x_{m - 1} + x_m - c - (m - 2)a) + f(c)\]

...
:huh:
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zdyzhj
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#19 • 3 Y
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for the first step ,how can we deduce that $ F $is minimal for ${{x}_{1}}={{x}_{2}}=\cdots {{x}_{k-1}}=a,{{x}_{k+1}}=\cdots {{x}_{n}}$ as well as the following proof. who can give a explanation about the condtion for the equality.
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