1953 AHSME Problems/Problem 45

Problem

The lengths of two line segments are $a$ units and $b$ units respectively. Then the correct relation between them is:

$\textbf{(A)}\ \frac{a+b}{2} > \sqrt{ab} \qquad \textbf{(B)}\ \frac{a+b}{2} < \sqrt{ab} \qquad \textbf{(C)}\ \frac{a+b}{2}=\sqrt{ab}\\ \textbf{(D)}\ \frac{a+b}{2}\leq\sqrt{ab}\qquad \textbf{(E)}\ \frac{a+b}{2}\geq\sqrt{ab}$

Solution

Since both lengths are positive, the AM-GM Inequality is satisfied. The correct relationship between $a$ and $b$ is $\boxed{\textbf{(E)}\ \frac{a+b}{2}\geq\sqrt{ab}}$ .

1953 AHSC (Problems • Answer Key • Resources)
Preceded by Problem 44	Followed by Problem 46
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1953 AHSME Problems/Problem 45

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