High School Find the Minimum Value of Expression Involving Positive Real Numbers

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SUMMARY

The minimum value of the expression involving positive real numbers \( (a+b+c+d+e)\left( \frac{1}{a} +\frac{1}{b} +\frac{1}{c} +\frac{1}{d} +\frac{1}{e} \right) \) is definitively 25. This conclusion is reached through the application of the power mean inequality, specifically by setting \( k_1=1 \) and \( k_2=-1 \). The arithmetic mean is always greater than or equal to the harmonic mean, which confirms that the expression cannot yield a value lower than 25. Attempts to derive a lower value, such as 20, are invalid based on this mathematical principle.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of positive real numbers and their properties
  • Familiarity with the power mean inequality
  • Basic knowledge of arithmetic and harmonic means
  • Experience with algebraic manipulation of expressions
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the power mean inequality in detail
  • Explore the Art of Problem Solving wiki for additional resources
  • Learn about the applications of inequalities in optimization problems
  • Practice problems involving arithmetic and harmonic means
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Mathematicians, students preparing for competitive exams, and anyone interested in optimization techniques in algebra.

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if ## a,b,c,d,e ## are positive real numbers, minimum value of (a+b+c+d+e)( \frac{1}{a} +\frac{1}{b} +\frac{1}{c} +\frac{1}{d} +\frac{1}{e} )
(A) 25
(B) 5
(C) 125
(D) cannot be determined

My approach :
expanding the expression , i get
5+a( \frac{1}{b} +\frac{1}{c} +\frac{1}{d} +\frac{1}{e} )+ similar.terms.of.b,c,d,e

I can't find any ways to make those expressions vanish ...and some hit and trial gives me ans as 25
but i also can't find any way to make them 20 ... :( ..
or is the answer cannot be determined ?
pls help ...i don't have the answer ...
 
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Have you heard of the power mean inequalities? The hint is to make use of the fact that the arithmetic mean is always greater than or equal to the harmonic mean.
(and yes I'm not giving any explicit expressions here because I want you look them up and try to understand them - the Art of Problem Solving wiki is a good place to start)
 
thanx a lot for the reference Sir ... So, the direct application of power mean inequality (by putting k1=1 and k2= -1 )gives me the expression is greater than or equal to 25 ... and i hope that is the answer :)
 
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