Maximizing (ab+bc+ca) with a+2b+c=4

[utkarshakash]

Homework Statement

Let a,b,c be real numbers such that a+2b+c=4. Then the max value of (ab+bc+ca) is

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

I am trying to substitute for b into the second expression but that won't give me the answer. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[mfb]

I am trying to substitute for b into the second expression but that won't give me the answer.

Why?
The approach is fine, what do you get as result?

 

[AJ Bentley]

Note that a + c = 4-2b
and ab + bc + ac is the same as b(a + c) + ac

So you can write X = b(4-2b) + ac.
That's a quadratic that you can differentiate wrt b to find a maximum for X at a particular b. You can also find what ac must be from the same result.

After that, a few substitutions gives you the answer.

 

[utkarshakash]

Why?
The approach is fine, what do you get as result?

b=\dfrac{4-a-c}{2}
Now substituting this into the second expression and simplifying I get
\dfrac{4(a+c)-(a^2+c^2)}{2}

Whats next?

 

[utkarshakash]

Note that a + c = 4-2b
and ab + bc + ac is the same as b(a + c) + ac

So you can write X = b(4-2b) + ac.
That's a quadratic that you can differentiate wrt b to find a maximum for X at a particular b. You can also find what ac must be from the same result.

After that, a few substitutions gives you the answer.

Here's what I did

-2b^2+4b+ac
Differentiating wrt b and setting it to 0
-4b+4=0
b=1
a+c=2
Now , ac=c(2-c)
Diff again wrt c and setting it to 0
c=1
a=1
Substituting a,b and c I get maximum value = 3

But the answer is 4. I can't find out my mistake. Maybe there is something wrong with differentiation.

 

[HallsofIvy]

b=\dfrac{4-a-c}{2}
Now substituting this into the second expression and simplifying I get
\dfrac{4(a+c)-(a^2+c^2)}{2}

Whats next?

The derivative with respect to a is 2- a and the derivative wth respect to c is 2- c. Set those equal to 0 and you get a= c= 2 which then gives b= 0.

 

[utkarshakash]

The derivative with respect to a is 2- a and the derivative wth respect to c is 2- c. Set those equal to 0 and you get a= c= 2 which then gives b= 0.

Thanks