Proving Inequality Math Problem for Positive Numbers x, y, and z

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The discussion revolves around proving the inequality (x+y+z)(1/x+1/y+1/z) ≥ 9 for positive numbers x, y, and z. Participants explore the algebraic manipulation of the expression, leading to the conclusion that the inequality holds true by applying the AM-GM inequality. A similar proof is proposed for the extended case involving four variables, (x+y+z+w)(1/x+1/y+1/z+1/w) ≥ 16. The conversation highlights the use of substitutions and the relationship between arithmetic and harmonic means to establish these inequalities. Overall, the thread effectively demonstrates the application of mathematical principles to prove inequalities involving positive numbers.
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hello all:

I have tried to solved the following problem, however, I was stucked. thanks for the help:

x, y z are positive number,
prove (x+y+z)(1/x+1/y+1/z) >=9,

if so, how about (x+y+z+w)(1/x+1/y+1/z+1/w) >= 9.

The following is what I've got:

(x+y+z)(1/x+1/y+1/z) = (x+y+x)[(yz+xz+xy)/xyz]
=[3(xyz) + (x^2*z+x^2*y+y^2*z+x*y^2+y*z^2+x*z^2)]/xyz
= 3 + [(x^2*z+x^2*y+y^2*z+x*y^2+y*z^2+x*z^2)]/xyz

Please help!
 
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It's no big deal

\left(x+y+z\right)\left(x^{-1}+y^{-1}+z^{-1}\right)=3+\left[\left(xy^{-1}\right)+\left(yx^{-1}\right)\right]+\left[\left(xz^{-1}\right)+\left(zx^{-1}\right)\right]+\left[\left(yz^{-1}\right)+\left(zy^{-1}\right)\right]

\geq 3+2+2+2=9

Q.e.d.

I hope u see why.

Daniel.
 
Along the same lines,u can prove quite easily that

\left(x+y+z+w\right)\left(x^{-1}+y^{-1}+z^{-1}+w^{-1}\right)\geq 16

Daniel.
 
Thanks, Daniel;

How did you get the following line?
>= 3 + 2 + 2 +2

Many thanks
 
Well,take for example the first

xy^{-1}+yx^{-1} (1)

Make the substitution xy^{-1}=a (2).Then yx^{-1}=a^{-1} (3)

Therefore,(1) becomes a+a^{-1} (4)

And i say that a+a^{-1}\geq 2 (5),for a>0.

Can u prove it...?

Daniel.
 
Thanks, Daniel;

I got it.
 
Cool;

a + 1/a = (a^2 + 1)/a >= 2 since
(a-1)^2 >= 0
 
Daniel, I prove it with AM-GM Inequalities.
 
  • #10
I think you mean harmonic average.The geometric one is useless...

Daniel.
 
  • #11
arithmatic mean >= harmonic mean
i.e. A>=H
i.e. A/H >= 1

now
. x+y+z+w = 4*A and
1/x + 1/y + 1/z + 1/w = 4/H
hence the product is (4*A)*4/H
=16 * (A/H) >= 16*(1).
QED
 
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