Difference between revisions of "Trivial Inequality"
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First, consider the triangle in a coordinate system with vertices at <math>(0,0)</math>, <math>(9,0)</math>, and <math>(a,b)</math>.<br>Applying the distance formula, we see that <math>\frac{ \sqrt{a^2 + b^2} }{ \sqrt{ (a-9)^2 + b^2 } } = \frac{40}{41}</math>. | First, consider the triangle in a coordinate system with vertices at <math>(0,0)</math>, <math>(9,0)</math>, and <math>(a,b)</math>.<br>Applying the distance formula, we see that <math>\frac{ \sqrt{a^2 + b^2} }{ \sqrt{ (a-9)^2 + b^2 } } = \frac{40}{41}</math>. | ||
| − | We want to maximize <math>b</math>, the height, with <math>9</math> being the base. Simplifying gives <math>-a^2 -\frac{3200}{9}a +1600 = b^2</math>. To maximize <math>b</math>, we want to maximize <math>b^2</math>. '''So if we can write: <math>-(a+n)^2+m=b^2</math> then <math>m</math> is the maximum value for <math>b^2</math>.''' This follows directly from the trivial inequality, because if <math>x^2>=0</math> | + | We want to maximize <math>b</math>, the height, with <math>9</math> being the base. Simplifying gives <math>-a^2 -\frac{3200}{9}a +1600 = b^2</math>. To maximize <math>b</math>, we want to maximize <math>b^2</math>. '''So if we can write: <math>-(a+n)^2+m=b^2</math> then <math>m</math> is the maximum value for <math>b^2</math>.''' This follows directly from the trivial inequality, because if <math>{x^2 \ge 0}</math> then plugging in <math>a+n</math> for <math>x</math> gives us <math>{(a+n)^2 \ge 0}</math>. So we can keep increasing the left hand side of our earlier equation until <math>{(a+n)^2 = 0}</math>. We can factor <math>-a^2 -\frac{3200}{9}a +1600 = b^2</math> into <math>-(a +\frac{1600}{9})^2 +1600+(\frac{3200}{9})^2 = b^2</math>. We find <math>b</math>, and plug into <math>9\cdot\frac{1}{2} \cdot b</math>. Thus, the area is <math>9\cdot\frac{1}{2} \cdot \frac{40*41}{9} = 820</math>. |
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''Solution credit to: 4everwise'' | ''Solution credit to: 4everwise'' | ||
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Revision as of 00:09, 18 June 2006
The Inequality
The trivial inequality states that 
for all x. This is a rather useful inequality for proving that certain quantities are non-negative. The inequality appears to be obvious and unimportant, but it can be a very powerful problem solving technique.
Applications
Maximizing and minimizing quadratic functions
After Completing the square, the trivial inequality can be applied to determine the extrema of a quadratic function.
USA AIME 1992, Problem 13
Triangle 
has 
and 
. What's the largest area that this triangle can have?
Solution:
First, consider the triangle in a coordinate system with vertices at 
, 
, and 
.
Applying the distance formula, we see that 
.
We want to maximize 
, the height, with 
being the base. Simplifying gives 
. To maximize , we want to maximize 
. So if we can write: 
then 
is the maximum value for . This follows directly from the trivial inequality, because if then plugging in 
for 
gives us 
. So we can keep increasing the left hand side of our earlier equation until 
. We can factor into 
. We find , and plug into 
. Thus, the area is 
.
Solution credit to: 4everwise
