Difference between revisions of "Arithmetic Mean-Geometric Mean Inequality"

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The '''Arithmetic Mean-Geometric Mean Inequality''' ('''AM-GM''' or '''AMGM''') is an elementary [[inequality]], generally one of the first ones taught in inequality courses.
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The '''Arithmetic Mean-Geometric Mean Inequality''' ('''AM-GM''' or '''AMGM''') is an elementary [[inequality]], and is generally one of the first ones taught in inequality courses.
  
 
== Theorem ==
 
== Theorem ==
The AM-GM states that for any [[set]] of [[positive]] [[real number]]s, the [[arithmetic mean]] of the set is greater than or [[equal]] to the [[geometric mean]] of the set. Algebraically, this is written:
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AM-GM states that for any [[set]] of [[nonnegative]] [[real number]]s, the [[arithmetic mean]] of the set is greater than or [[equal]] to the [[geometric mean]] of the set. Algebraically, this is expressed as follows.
  
 
For a set of nonnegative real numbers <math>a_1,a_2,\ldots,a_n</math>, the following always holds:
 
For a set of nonnegative real numbers <math>a_1,a_2,\ldots,a_n</math>, the following always holds:
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<cmath>  \frac{a_1+a_2+\ldots+a_n}{n}\geq\sqrt[n]{a_1a_2\cdots a_n} </cmath>
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Using the shorthand notation for [[summation]]s and [[product]]s:
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<cmath> \sum_{i=1}^{n}\frac{a_i}{n} \geq \prod\limits_{i=1}^{n}a_i^{\frac{1}{n}} . </cmath>
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For example, for the set <math>\{9,12,54\}</math>, the arithmetic mean, 25, is greater than the geometric mean, 18; AM-GM guarantees this is always the case. 
  
<center><math>\frac{a_1+a_2+\ldots+a_n}{n}\geq\sqrt[n]{a_1a_2\cdots a_n}</math></center>
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The [[equality condition]] of this [[inequality]] states that the arithmetic mean and geometric mean are equal [[iff|if and only if]] all members of the set are equal.
  
Using the shorthand notation for [[summation]]s and [[product]]s:
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AM-GM can be used fairly frequently to solve [[Olympiad]]-level inequality problems, such as those on the [[United States of America Mathematics Olympiad | USAMO]] and [[International Mathematics Olympiad | IMO]].
  
<center><math>\frac{\sum\limits_{i=1}^{n}a_i}{n}\geq\sqrt[n]{\prod\limits_{i=1}^{n}a_i}</math></center>
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=== Proof ===
  
For example, for the set <math>\{9,12,54\}</math>, the Arithmetic Mean, 25, is greater than the Geometric Mean, 18; AM-GM guarantees this is always the case.
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See here:  [[Proofs of AM-GM]].
  
The [[equality condition]] of this [[inequality]] states that the arithmetic mean and geometric mean are equal [[if and only if]] all members of the set are equal.
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=== Weighted Form ===
  
AMGM can be used fairly frequently to solve [[Olympiad]]-level inequality problems, such as those on the [[United States of America Mathematics Olympiad | USAMO]] and [[International Mathematics Olympiad | IMO]].
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The weighted form of AM-GM is given by using [[weighted average]]s. For example, the weighted arithmetic mean of <math>x</math> and <math>y</math> with <math>3:1</math> is <math>\frac{3x+1y}{3+1}</math> and the geometric is <math>\sqrt[3+1]{x^3y}</math>.
  
=== Proof ===
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AM-GM applies to weighted averages.  Specifically, the '''weighted AM-GM Inequality''' states that if <math>a_1, a_2, \dotsc, a_n</math> are nonnegative real numbers, and <math>\lambda_1, \lambda_2, \dotsc, \lambda_n</math> are nonnegative real numbers (the "weights") which sum to 1, then
{{incomplete|proof}}
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<cmath> \lambda_1 a_1 + \lambda_2 a_2 + \dotsb + \lambda_n a_n \ge a_1^{\lambda_1} a_2^{\lambda_2} \dotsm a_n^{\lambda_n}, </cmath>
=== Weighted Form ===
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or, in more compact notation,
The weighted form of AMGM is given by using [[weighted average]]s. For example, the weighted arithmetic mean of <math>x</math> and <math>y</math> with <math>3:1</math> is <math>\frac{3y+x}{2\cdot 3}</math> and the geometric is <math>\sqrt[2+3]{xy^3}</math>. AMGM applies to weighted averages.
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<cmath> \sum_{i=1}^n \lambda_i a_i \ge \prod_{i=1}^n a_i^{\lambda_i} . </cmath>
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Equality holds if and only if <math>a_i = a_j</math> for all integers <math>i, j</math> such that <math>\lambda_i \neq 0</math> and <math>\lambda_j \neq 0</math>.
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We obtain the unweighted form of AM-GM by setting <math>\lambda_1 = \lambda_2 = \dotsb = \lambda_n = 1/n</math>.
  
 
==Extensions==
 
==Extensions==
*The [[power mean inequality]] is a useful inequality extending on the arithmetic mean side of the inequality.
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*The [[root-square-mean arithmetic-mean geometric-mean harmonic-mean inequality]] is an extension on both sides of the inequality with further types of means.
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* The [[power mean inequality]] is a generalization of AM-GM which places the arithemetic and geometric means on a continuum of different means.
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* The [[root-square-mean arithmetic-mean geometric-mean harmonic-mean inequality]] is special case of the power mean inequality.
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==Problems==
 
==Problems==
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=== Introductory ===
 
=== Introductory ===
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* For nonnegative real numbers <math>a_1,a_2,\cdots a_n</math>, demonstrate that if <math>a_1a_2\cdots a_n=1</math> then <math>a_1+a_2+\cdots +a_n\ge n</math>.
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* Find the maximum of <math>2 - a - \frac{1}{2a}</math> for all positive <math>a</math>. ([[Solution to AM - GM Introductory Problem 2|Solution]])
 +
 
=== Intermediate ===
 
=== Intermediate ===
 
* Find the minimum value of <math>\frac{9x^2\sin^2 x + 4}{x\sin x}</math> for <math>0 < x < \pi</math>.
 
* Find the minimum value of <math>\frac{9x^2\sin^2 x + 4}{x\sin x}</math> for <math>0 < x < \pi</math>.
 
([[1983 AIME Problems/Problem 9|Source]])
 
([[1983 AIME Problems/Problem 9|Source]])
 
=== Olympiad ===
 
=== Olympiad ===
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* Let <math>a </math>, <math>b </math>, and <math>c </math> be positive real numbers.  Prove that
 
* Let <math>a </math>, <math>b </math>, and <math>c </math> be positive real numbers.  Prove that
<center>
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<cmath> (a^5 - a^2 + 3)(b^5 - b^2 + 3)(c^5 - c^2 + 3) \ge (a+b+c)^3 . </cmath>
<math>
 
(a^5 - a^2 + 3)(b^5 - b^2 + 3)(c^5 - c^2 + 3) \ge (a+b+c)^3
 
</math>.
 
</center>
 
 
([[2004 USAMO Problems/Problem 5|Source]])
 
([[2004 USAMO Problems/Problem 5|Source]])
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== See Also ==
 
== See Also ==
  
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* [[Algebra]]
 
* [[Algebra]]
 
* [[Inequalities]]
 
* [[Inequalities]]
 
==External Links==
 
* [http://www.mathideas.org/problems/2006/5/29.pdf Basic Inequalities by Adeel Khan]
 
* [http://www.mathideas.org/problems/2006/5/31.pdf Inequalities: An Application of RMS-AM-GM-HM by Adeel Khan]
 
  
  
 
[[Category:Inequality]]
 
[[Category:Inequality]]
 
[[Category:Theorems]]
 
[[Category:Theorems]]

Revision as of 21:17, 13 May 2020

The Arithmetic Mean-Geometric Mean Inequality (AM-GM or AMGM) is an elementary inequality, and is generally one of the first ones taught in inequality courses.

Theorem

AM-GM states that for any set of nonnegative real numbers, the arithmetic mean of the set is greater than or equal to the geometric mean of the set. Algebraically, this is expressed as follows.

For a set of nonnegative real numbers $a_1,a_2,\ldots,a_n$, the following always holds: \[\frac{a_1+a_2+\ldots+a_n}{n}\geq\sqrt[n]{a_1a_2\cdots a_n}\] Using the shorthand notation for summations and products: \[\sum_{i=1}^{n}\frac{a_i}{n} \geq \prod\limits_{i=1}^{n}a_i^{\frac{1}{n}} .\] For example, for the set $\{9,12,54\}$, the arithmetic mean, 25, is greater than the geometric mean, 18; AM-GM guarantees this is always the case.

The equality condition of this inequality states that the arithmetic mean and geometric mean are equal if and only if all members of the set are equal.

AM-GM can be used fairly frequently to solve Olympiad-level inequality problems, such as those on the USAMO and IMO.

Proof

See here: Proofs of AM-GM.

Weighted Form

The weighted form of AM-GM is given by using weighted averages. For example, the weighted arithmetic mean of $x$ and $y$ with $3:1$ is $\frac{3x+1y}{3+1}$ and the geometric is $\sqrt[3+1]{x^3y}$.

AM-GM applies to weighted averages. Specifically, the weighted AM-GM Inequality states that if $a_1, a_2, \dotsc, a_n$ are nonnegative real numbers, and $\lambda_1, \lambda_2, \dotsc, \lambda_n$ are nonnegative real numbers (the "weights") which sum to 1, then \[\lambda_1 a_1 + \lambda_2 a_2 + \dotsb + \lambda_n a_n \ge a_1^{\lambda_1} a_2^{\lambda_2} \dotsm a_n^{\lambda_n},\] or, in more compact notation, \[\sum_{i=1}^n \lambda_i a_i \ge \prod_{i=1}^n a_i^{\lambda_i} .\] Equality holds if and only if $a_i = a_j$ for all integers $i, j$ such that $\lambda_i \neq 0$ and $\lambda_j \neq 0$. We obtain the unweighted form of AM-GM by setting $\lambda_1 = \lambda_2 = \dotsb = \lambda_n = 1/n$.

Extensions

Problems

Introductory

  • For nonnegative real numbers $a_1,a_2,\cdots a_n$, demonstrate that if $a_1a_2\cdots a_n=1$ then $a_1+a_2+\cdots +a_n\ge n$.
  • Find the maximum of $2 - a - \frac{1}{2a}$ for all positive $a$. (Solution)

Intermediate

  • Find the minimum value of $\frac{9x^2\sin^2 x + 4}{x\sin x}$ for $0 < x < \pi$.

(Source)

Olympiad

  • Let $a$, $b$, and $c$ be positive real numbers. Prove that

\[(a^5 - a^2 + 3)(b^5 - b^2 + 3)(c^5 - c^2 + 3) \ge (a+b+c)^3 .\] (Source)

See Also