Difference between revisions of "Trivial Inequality"
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*Let <math>c</math> be the length of the [[hypotenuse]] of a [[right triangle]] whose two other sides have lengths <math>a</math> and <math>b</math>. Prove that <math>a+b\le c\sqrt{2}</math>. When does the equality hold? ([[1969 Canadian MO Problems/Problem 3|1969 Canadian MO]]) | *Let <math>c</math> be the length of the [[hypotenuse]] of a [[right triangle]] whose two other sides have lengths <math>a</math> and <math>b</math>. Prove that <math>a+b\le c\sqrt{2}</math>. When does the equality hold? ([[1969 Canadian MO Problems/Problem 3|1969 Canadian MO]]) | ||
+ | *Let <math>x,y</math> and <math>z</math> be real numbers. Show that | ||
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+ | <cmath>(x^2+z^2)^2+y^4 \ge 4xzy^2</cmath> | ||
+ | |||
+ | (Solution [[Problems Collection|here]] see problem 13 solution 1) | ||
[[Category:Algebra]] | [[Category:Algebra]] | ||
[[Category:Inequalities]] | [[Category:Inequalities]] |
Latest revision as of 20:20, 2 August 2024
The trivial inequality is an inequality that states that the square of any real number is nonnegative. Its name comes from its simplicity and straightforwardness.
Contents
[hide]Statement
For all real numbers , .
Proof
We can have either , , or . If , then . If , then by the closure of the set of positive numbers under multiplication. Finally, if , then again by the closure of the set of positive numbers under multiplication.
Therefore, for all real , as claimed.
Applications
The trivial inequality is one of the most commonly used theorems in mathematics. It is very well-known and does not require proof.
One application is maximizing and minimizing quadratic functions. It gives an easy proof of the two-variable case of the Arithmetic Mean-Geometric Mean inequality:
Suppose that and are nonnegative reals. By the trivial inequality, we have , or . Adding to both sides, we get . Since both sides of the inequality are nonnegative, it is equivalent to , and thus we have as desired.
Another application will be to minimize/maximize quadratics. For example,
Then, we use trivial inequality to get if is positive and if is negative.
Problems
Introductory
- Find all integer solutions of the equation .
- Show that . Solution
- Show that for all real and .
Intermediate
- Triangle has and . What is the largest area that this triangle can have? (AIME 1992)
- The fraction,
where and are side lengths of a triangle, lies in the interval , where and are rational numbers. Then, can be expressed as , where and are relatively prime positive integers. Find . (Solution here see problem 3 solution 1)
Olympiad
- Let be the length of the hypotenuse of a right triangle whose two other sides have lengths and . Prove that . When does the equality hold? (1969 Canadian MO)
- Let and be real numbers. Show that
(Solution here see problem 13 solution 1)