MHB Prove: Inequality $9\gt \sqrt{a-1}+\sqrt{19-3a}+\sqrt{2a+9}$

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The inequality \(9 > \sqrt{a-1} + \sqrt{19-3a} + \sqrt{2a+9}\) is to be proven for all real values of \(a\). The discussion highlights an elegant method of proof shared by a participant named Euge. Participants express appreciation for the clarity and effectiveness of the proof method. The conversation emphasizes the importance of rigorous mathematical reasoning in establishing the inequality. Overall, the thread focuses on validating the inequality across the specified domain.
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Prove that $9\gt \sqrt{a-1}+\sqrt{19-3a}+\sqrt{2a+9}$ for all real $a$.
 
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The inequality only makes sense when $1\le a\le 19/3$. By concavity of the square root function on $(0,\infty)$,

$$\sqrt{a-1}+\sqrt{19-3a}+\sqrt{2a+9} < 3\sqrt{\frac{(a-1)+(19-3a)+(2a+9)}{3}} = 3\sqrt{\frac{27}{3}} = 3\cdot 3 = 9.$$
 
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Euge said:
The inequality only makes sense when $1\le a\le 19/3$. By concavity of the square root function on $(0,\infty)$,

$$\sqrt{a-1}+\sqrt{19-3a}+\sqrt{2a+9} < 3\sqrt{\frac{(a-1)+(19-3a)+(2a+9)}{3}} = 3\sqrt{\frac{27}{3}} = 3\cdot 3 = 9.$$

Thanks Euge for your elegant method of proving and thanks too for participating. :cool:
 
Here is a little puzzle from the book 100 Geometric Games by Pierre Berloquin. The side of a small square is one meter long and the side of a larger square one and a half meters long. One vertex of the large square is at the center of the small square. The side of the large square cuts two sides of the small square into one- third parts and two-thirds parts. What is the area where the squares overlap?

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