What are the bounds of a ratio with a given set of numbers and variables?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around determining the bounds of a ratio derived from a set of positive integers, specifically focusing on the expression involving factorials and logarithms. Participants explore the implications of the arrangement of the integers and their relationships, considering both theoretical and practical aspects of the problem.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions how to find the bounds of the ratio given the set of integers and suggests that the ratio may be smaller than a specific factorial expression.
  • Another participant notes that the fraction within the logarithm is always greater than or equal to one and increases with larger values of R and the average of the integers, but expresses uncertainty about expressing the rate of change.
  • A participant expresses a desire for simplification of the ratio for easier analysis but acknowledges the complexity of the problem.
  • One participant reports that in their tests, the ratio has not exceeded 1 and questions what properties of the set influence its proximity to 1.
  • Another participant proposes a specific example with chosen values for the integers, suggesting that the ratio could exceed 1 under certain conditions.
  • Further calculations are provided to illustrate the results of the proposed example, leading to a discussion about the implications of the sum of the integers on the simplification of the ratio.
  • A participant reflects on their goal of simplification and proposes that there may be a relationship among the integers that affects how close the ratio can get to 1.
  • One participant raises a vocabulary point regarding the treatment of the integers as variables, suggesting that the discussion may benefit from framing the problem as a maximization or minimization task.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the nature of the ratio and its bounds, with some suggesting it may be bounded by specific expressions while others challenge this notion. There is no consensus on the properties that determine the ratio's behavior or its relationship to the value 1.

Contextual Notes

Participants acknowledge the complexity of the problem and the potential need for additional assumptions or definitions regarding the integers in the set. The discussion remains open-ended regarding the mathematical steps necessary to fully explore the bounds of the ratio.

iScience
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Sorry in advance if I've posted in the wrong section.

given the set ##\{r_i, r_{ii}, r_{iii}, ... , r_R\}##
where ##r \ \epsilon \ \mathbb{Z}_+ \ , \ r_i \geq r_{i+1}##How would you go about finding the bounds of something like this, or determining if it even has any?

##( \, log_2{\frac{(\sum_{i=1}^R{r_i})!}{\prod_{i=1}^R{(r_i!)}}}) \, :\sum_{i=1}^{R}{i \cdot r_i}##
 
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Since ##r_i## is the largest and ##r_R## is the smallest, the ratio in the log must smaller than ##\frac{(r_iR)!}{(r_R!)^R},## which may depend on ##r_i##, ##r_R## and ##R.## Does the problem require a fixed constant?
 
tommyxu3 said:
Since ##r_i## is the largest and ##r_R## is the smallest, the ratio in the log must smaller than ##\frac{(r_iR)!}{(r_R!)^R},## which may depend on ##r_i##, ##r_R## and ##R.## Does the problem require a fixed constant?

The fraction within the log is always greater than or equal to one, and only gets larger and larger with increasing ##R## and ##\bar{r}##. But I don't know how I would go about expressing the rate of change with respect to the denominator of the ratio.
Hmm, I guess... what I'm looking for is more of a simplification, because that would be easier to look at. But I'm not sure what you meant by the fixed constant thing, can you elaborate?
 
At first I'm not sure what you want also, and guess maybe you hope to get the ratio can be bounded with some cool number, maybe ##Ce^R##... likewise haha.
For me the fraction cannot be simplified XD
 
For any set of values I've tested so far, the ratio has not exceeded the value 1. In fact i haven't found it to ever reach 1. I wanted to know what properties of a given set determined its closeness to the value 1. I hope this makes sense.
 
What if I choose ##r_i=100,r_R=1,R=2?## Then the ratio is greater than 1 right?
 
##\{100\ ,\ 1\}## yields...

##numerator: log_2{ \frac{ 101! }{ 100! \cdot 1! } } = log_2{ \frac{ 101! }{ 100! } } = log_2{101} =7##
##ratio: \frac{7}{102} = 0.0686##

(remember the numerator is logged by base 2)
 
...My fault to miss the latter. I just saw the fraction. So the sum of ##r_x## is also concerned... Then it's harder to simplify...
 
I know I stated that simplification was my goal. But I suppose that's not the only way to achieve my "true goal", which I'm still getting closer to.. (sorry)

I postulate that there is a relationship between the numbers in the given set, that dictates its closeness to the value 1. I just want to figure that out..
even a pointer to how I might go about that would be of great help.
 
  • #10
iScience said:
given the set ##\{r_i, r_{ii}, r_{iii}, ... , r_R\}##
where ##r \ \epsilon \ \mathbb{Z}_+ \ , \ r_i \geq r_{i+1}##

As matter of vocabulary, if we were "given" that set of numbers, the ratio would have a single numerical value, so when you mention "bounds" aren't we treating the ##R_i## as variables and asking how to maximize or minimize the ratio? Can we start by solving the max-min problem for 2 variables ?
 

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