Prove $0\le xy+yz+zx-2xyz\le7/27$ for $x+y+z=1$

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SUMMARY

The inequality \(0 \leq xy + yz + zx - 2xyz \leq \frac{7}{27}\) is proven under the constraint \(x + y + z = 1\) for non-negative variables \(x\), \(y\), and \(z\). The proof involves analyzing the expression \(xy + yz + zx\) and applying techniques from algebraic manipulation and optimization. The upper bound of \(\frac{7}{27}\) is achieved when \(x\), \(y\), and \(z\) are equal, specifically at \(x = y = z = \frac{1}{3}\).

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Here is this week's POTW:

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For $x,\,y,\,z\ge 0$ and $x+y+z=1$, prove that $0\le xy+yz+zx-2xyz\le\dfrac{7}{27}$.

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Congratulations to lfdahl again for his correct solution.
Suggested solution from other:
Without loss of generality, suppose $z\le \dfrac{1}{2}$. Thus we write $x+y=\dfrac{1}{2}+t,\,z=\dfrac{1}{2}-t$ where $-\le t \le \dfrac{1}{2}$.

It is easy to see that $xy+yz+zx-2xyz=xy(1-2z)+(x+y)z\ge 0$.

$\begin{align*}xy+yz+zx-2xyz&=xy(1-2z)+(x+y)z\\& \le \left(\dfrac{x+y}{2}\right)^2(1-2z)+(x+y)z\\&=2t\left(\dfrac{1}{4}+\dfrac{t}{2}\right)^2+\dfrac{1}{4}-t^2\\&=\dfrac{4t^3-4t^2+t-2}{8}\\&=f(t)\end{align*}$.

Let $f'(t)=0$ and we get $t=\dfrac{1}{6}$ and $t=\dfrac{1}{2}$.

$f''\left(\dfrac{1}{6}\right)=-7.5<0$ tells us the maximum of $f$ is $f\left(\dfrac{1}{6}\right)=\dfrac{7}{27}$.
 

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