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Difference between revisions of "2014 IMO Problems/Problem 1"

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<cmath>a_n<\frac{a_0+a_1+\cdots + a_n}{n}\le a_{n+1}.</cmath>
 
<cmath>a_n<\frac{a_0+a_1+\cdots + a_n}{n}\le a_{n+1}.</cmath>
  
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==Solution==
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Define <math>f(n) = a_0 + a_1 + \dots + a_n - n a_{n+1}</math>. (In particular, <math>f(0) = a_0.</math>) Notice that because <math>a_{n+2} \ge a_{n+1}</math>, we have
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<cmath>a_0 + a_1 + \dots + a_n - n a_{n+1} > a_0 + a_1 + \dots + a_n + a_{n+1} - (n+1) a_{n+2}.</cmath>
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Thus, <math>f(n) > f(n+1)</math>; i.e., <math>f</math> is monotonic decreasing. Therefore, because <math>f(0) > 0</math>, there exists a unique <math>N</math> such that <math>f(N-1) > 0 \ge f(N)</math>. In other words,
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<cmath>a_0 + a_1 + \dots + a_{N-1} - (N-1) a_N > 0</cmath>
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<cmath>a_0 + a_1 + \dots + a_N - n a_{N+1} \le 0.</cmath>
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This rearranges to give
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<cmath>a_N < \frac{a_0 + a_1 + \dots + a_N}{N} \le a_{N+1}.</cmath>
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Define <math>g(n) = a_0 + a_1 + \dots + a_n - n a_n</math>. Then because <math>a_{n+1} > a_n</math>, we have
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<cmath>a_0 + a_1 + \dots + a_n - n a_n > a_0 + a_1 + \dots + a_n + a_{n+1} - (n+1) a_{n+1}.</cmath>
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Therefore, <math>g</math> is also monotonic decreasing. Note that <math>g(N+1) = a_0 + a_1 + \dots + a_{N+1} - (N+1) a_{N+1} < 0</math> from our inequality, and so <math>g(k) < 0</math> for all <math>k > N</math>. Thus, the given inequality, which requires that <math>g(n) > 0</math>, cannot be satisfied for <math>n > N</math>, and so <math>N</math> is the unique solution to this inequality.
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--[[User:Suli|Suli]] 22:38, 7 February 2015 (EST)
  
 
{{alternate solutions}}
 
{{alternate solutions}}

Revision as of 22:38, 7 February 2015

Problem

Let $a_0<a_1<a_2<\cdots \quad$ be an infinite sequence of positive integers, Prove that there exists a unique integer $n\ge1$ such that \[a_n<\frac{a_0+a_1+\cdots + a_n}{n}\le a_{n+1}.\]

Solution

Define $f(n) = a_0 + a_1 + \dots + a_n - n a_{n+1}$. (In particular, $f(0) = a_0.$) Notice that because $a_{n+2} \ge a_{n+1}$, we have \[a_0 + a_1 + \dots + a_n - n a_{n+1} > a_0 + a_1 + \dots + a_n + a_{n+1} - (n+1) a_{n+2}.\] Thus, $f(n) > f(n+1)$; i.e., $f$ is monotonic decreasing. Therefore, because $f(0) > 0$, there exists a unique $N$ such that $f(N-1) > 0 \ge f(N)$. In other words, \[a_0 + a_1 + \dots + a_{N-1} - (N-1) a_N > 0\] \[a_0 + a_1 + \dots + a_N - n a_{N+1} \le 0.\] This rearranges to give \[a_N < \frac{a_0 + a_1 + \dots + a_N}{N} \le a_{N+1}.\] Define $g(n) = a_0 + a_1 + \dots + a_n - n a_n$. Then because $a_{n+1} > a_n$, we have \[a_0 + a_1 + \dots + a_n - n a_n > a_0 + a_1 + \dots + a_n + a_{n+1} - (n+1) a_{n+1}.\] Therefore, $g$ is also monotonic decreasing. Note that $g(N+1) = a_0 + a_1 + \dots + a_{N+1} - (N+1) a_{N+1} < 0$ from our inequality, and so $g(k) < 0$ for all $k > N$. Thus, the given inequality, which requires that $g(n) > 0$, cannot be satisfied for $n > N$, and so $N$ is the unique solution to this inequality.

--Suli 22:38, 7 February 2015 (EST)

Alternate solutions are always welcome. If you have a different, elegant solution to this problem, please add it to this page.

See Also

2014 IMO (Problems) • Resources
Preceded by
First Problem 		1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5 • 6 Followed by
Problem 2
All IMO Problems and Solutions

Solution

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