Please prove the following inequality

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around proving the inequality $\sqrt{a+b+c+d} \geq \dfrac{\sqrt{a}+\sqrt{b}+\sqrt{c}+\sqrt{d}}{2}$ for positive real numbers a, b, c, and d. Participants explore various mathematical approaches, including the AM-GM inequality and the Cauchy-Schwarz inequality, to establish the validity of this inequality.

Discussion Character

  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant proposes the inequality and seeks a proof involving the AM-GM inequality.
  • Another participant provides a proof using the AM-GM inequality, detailing the steps and transformations leading to the conclusion.
  • A third participant offers an alternative proof using the Cauchy-Schwarz inequality, presenting a similar structure to the argument but with different mathematical foundations.
  • A fourth participant reiterates the Cauchy-Schwarz approach, emphasizing its elegance and simplicity.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants present multiple proofs for the same inequality, utilizing different mathematical inequalities. However, there is no consensus on which proof is superior or if one approach is more valid than the others.

Contextual Notes

Some participants' proofs rely on specific applications of inequalities that may depend on the assumptions of positivity and the definitions of the terms involved. The discussion does not resolve any potential limitations or nuances in the proofs presented.

Albert1
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a,b,c,d > 0 , please prove :

$ \sqrt{a+b+c+d} \geq \dfrac{\sqrt{a}+\sqrt{b}+\sqrt{c}+\sqrt{d}}{2}$
 
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Now

$\displaystyle \left(\frac{\sqrt{a} + \sqrt{b} + \sqrt{c} + \sqrt{d}}{2} \right)^2 = \frac{a+b+c+d+2\sqrt{ab}+2\sqrt{ac} + 2\sqrt{ad} + 2\sqrt{bc} + 2\sqrt{cd} + 2\sqrt{bd}}{4}$

use the AM-GM inequality which says $\displaystyle \frac{a+b}{2} \geq \sqrt{ab}$ or $a + b\geq 2 \sqrt{ab}$

so we get

$a+b \geq 2 \sqrt{ab}$ , $a + c \geq 2 \sqrt{ac}$ , etc... for all the square root terms, we get

$4a+4b+4c+4d \geq 2\sqrt{ab}+2\sqrt{ac} + 2\sqrt{ad} + 2\sqrt{bc} + 2\sqrt{cd} + 2\sqrt{bd} + a + b + c + d$

and dividing left and right by 4

$\displaystyle a+b+c+d \geq \frac{a+b+c+d+2\sqrt{ab}+2\sqrt{ac} + 2\sqrt{ad} + 2\sqrt{bc} + 2\sqrt{cd} + 2\sqrt{bd}}{4}$ and since the square root of the right hand side is $\displaystyle \left(\frac{\sqrt{a} + \sqrt{b} + \sqrt{c} + \sqrt{d}}{2} \right)$

we get

$\displaystyle \sqrt{a+b+c+d} \geq \frac{\sqrt{a} + \sqrt{b} + \sqrt{c} + \sqrt{d}}{2}$
 
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By Cauchy-Schwarz inequality:

$({1}^{2}+{1}^{2}+{1}^{2}+{1}^{2})({\sqrt{a}}^{2}+{\sqrt{b}}^{2}+{\sqrt{c}}^{2}+{\sqrt{b}}^{2})

\geq (\sqrt{a}+\sqrt{b}+\sqrt{c}+\sqrt{d})^2$$4(a+b+c+d)\geq (\sqrt{a}+\sqrt{b}+\sqrt{c}+\sqrt{d})^2 $

$ \therefore \sqrt{a+b+c+d}\geq \dfrac{(\sqrt{a}+\sqrt{b}++\sqrt{c}++\sqrt{d})}{2}$
 
Albert said:
By Cauchy-Schwarz inequality:

$({1}^{2}+{1}^{2}+{1}^{2}+{1}^{2})({\sqrt{a}}^{2}+{\sqrt{b}}^{2}+{\sqrt{c}}^{2}+{\sqrt{b}}^{2})

\geq (\sqrt{a}+\sqrt{b}+\sqrt{c}+\sqrt{d})^2$$4(a+b+c+d)\geq (\sqrt{a}+\sqrt{b}+\sqrt{c}+\sqrt{d})^2 $

$ \therefore \sqrt{a+b+c+d}\geq \dfrac{(\sqrt{a}+\sqrt{b}++\sqrt{c}++\sqrt{d})}{2}$
this is a very elagant and simple proof.
 

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