Can You Solve This Challenging Inequality Problem?

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on solving a complex inequality problem involving positive real numbers \(a\), \(b\), \(c\), and \(d\) under specific constraints. The inequalities are \(a \le 1\), \(a + 4b \le 17\), \(a + 4b + 16c \le 273\), and \(a + 4b + 16c + 64d \le 4369\). The objective is to find the minimum value of the expression \(\frac{1}{d} + \frac{2}{4c+d} + \frac{3}{16b+4c+d} + \frac{4}{64a+16b+4c+d}\). The solution involves strategic substitutions and optimization techniques to derive the minimum value effectively.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of inequalities and optimization techniques
  • Familiarity with algebraic manipulation and substitution methods
  • Knowledge of real analysis concepts related to positive real numbers
  • Experience with solving multi-variable problems
NEXT STEPS
  • Study advanced inequality techniques in mathematical optimization
  • Learn about Lagrange multipliers for constrained optimization problems
  • Explore the Cauchy-Schwarz inequality and its applications
  • Investigate methods for minimizing rational expressions involving multiple variables
USEFUL FOR

Mathematicians, students studying advanced algebra, and anyone interested in solving complex optimization problems involving inequalities.

anemone
Gold Member
MHB
POTW Director
Messages
3,851
Reaction score
115
Given positive real numbers $a,\,b,\,c$ and $d$ that satisfy the following inequalities:

$a \le 1 \\a+4b \le 17\\a+4b+16c \le273\\a+4b+16c+64d \le4369$

Find the minimum value of $\dfrac{1}{d}+\dfrac{2}{4c+d}+\dfrac{3}{16b+4c+d}+\dfrac{4}{64a+16b+4c+d}$.
 
Mathematics news on Phys.org
The coefficients in the denominators by necessity gives the following order of priority: $a,b,c,d$, i.e. $a$ must be our first choice and $a$ must necessarily be chosen as large as possible: $a = 1$, in order to maximize the last term in the given expression. The next to be prioritized is $b$ with the help of the second inequality, which implies: $b = 4$. Next in the priority list is $c$ and from the third inequality criterion, we have: $c = 16$. At last comes $d$ in the last inequality: $d = 64$.

Thus our minimum value must be: $\frac{4}{64} = \frac{1}{16}$.
 

Similar threads

Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
Replies
4
Views
1K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
Replies
9
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K