What is the Maximum Value of k for the Given Inequality?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around finding the maximum value of \( k \) for the inequality \( \frac{25}{x^3} + \frac{16}{y^3} + \frac{9}{z^3} \geq k \) under the constraint \( x^3 + y^3 + z^3 = 1 \) for positive real numbers \( x, y, z \). Participants explore various mathematical approaches, including the AM-GM and Cauchy-Schwarz inequalities, to determine this maximum value.

Discussion Character

  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose substituting \( u = x^3, v = y^3, w = z^3 \) to minimize \( \frac{25}{u} + \frac{16}{v} + \frac{9}{w} \) under the constraint \( u + v + w = 1 \).
  • Using the AM-GM inequality, one participant suggests that \( \frac{25}{u} \times (u+v+w) + \frac{16}{v} \times (u+v+w) + \frac{9}{w} \times (u+v+w) \) leads to a lower bound of 144 for \( k \).
  • Another participant expresses confusion about applying the AM-GM inequality effectively and attempts to derive a similar expression but finds it unhelpful.
  • Some participants introduce the Cauchy-Schwarz inequality, asserting that it also leads to the conclusion that \( k \) must be at least 144, with equality under specific conditions.
  • There are discussions about the conditions under which equality holds in the inequalities used, particularly regarding the relationships between \( x, y, z \).

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that the minimum value of \( k \) is at least 144 based on different approaches, but there is no consensus on whether this value is the maximum or if additional conditions affect the result.

Contextual Notes

Some participants note the need for additional arguments to demonstrate that the minimum value of 144 is actually attained, indicating potential gaps in the reasoning or assumptions made during the discussion.

Albert1
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$x,y,z\in R^+$
given :
$x^3+y^3+z^3=1$
find the largest value of k such that the following inequality always holds:
$\dfrac {25}{x^3}+\dfrac{16}{y^3}+\dfrac {9}{z^3} \geq k$
 
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Albert said:
$x,y,z\in R^+$
given :
$x^3+y^3+z^3=1$
find the largest value of k such that the following inequality always holds:
$\dfrac {25}{x^3}+\dfrac{16}{y^3}+\dfrac {9}{z^3} \geq k$

We can freely substitute $u=x^3,v=y^3,w=z^3$ to find:

Minimize $\dfrac {25}{u}+\dfrac{16}{v}+\dfrac {9}{w}$, where $u+v+w=1$ and $u,v,w > 0$.

Applying Lagrange multipliers, we find an extremum at $u=\dfrac 5{12},\ v=\dfrac 4{12},\ w=\dfrac 3{12}$ with value 144.
With e.g. $u$ very small, the value becomes very large, so we can tell that the extremum is indeed a minimum.

So $k=144. \qquad \blacksquare$
 
As "I like Serena's notion " :we substitute $u=x^3,v=y^3,w=z^3$
to find:

Minimize $\dfrac {25}{u}+\dfrac{16}{v}+\dfrac {9}{w}$, where $u+v+w=1$ and $u,v,w > 0$.

Using "AM-GM" inequality we have:

$\dfrac {25}{u}\times (u+v+w)+\dfrac {16}{v}\times (u+v+w)+\dfrac

{9}{w}\times (u+v+w) $

$\geq (25+16+9)+2\sqrt{25\times 16}+2\sqrt{25\times 9}+2\sqrt{16\times 9}=144=k$
 
Albert said:
As "I like Serena's notion " :we substitute $u=x^3,v=y^3,w=z^3$
to find:

Minimize $\dfrac {25}{u}+\dfrac{16}{v}+\dfrac {9}{w}$, where $u+v+w=1$ and $u,v,w > 0$.

Using "AM-GM" inequality we have:

$\dfrac {25}{u}\times (u+v+w)+\dfrac {16}{v}\times (u+v+w)+\dfrac

{9}{w}\times (u+v+w) $

$\geq (25+16+9)+2\sqrt{25\times 16}+2\sqrt{25\times 9}+2\sqrt{16\times 9}=144=k$

I don't get it.
How do you apply the AM-GM inequality?

The best I can make of it, is:

$\dfrac {25}{u}\times (u+v+w)+\dfrac {16}{v}\times (u+v+w)+\dfrac {9}{w}\times (u+v+w) \\
= (25+16+9) + \dfrac {25}{u}\times (v+w)+\dfrac {16}{v}\times (u+w)+\dfrac {9}{w}\times (u+v) \\
\ge (25+16+9) + \dfrac {25}{u}\times 2\sqrt{vw}+\dfrac {16}{v}\times 2\sqrt{uw}+\dfrac {9}{w}\times 2\sqrt{uv}$

But that does not get me anywhere. :confused:
 
I like Serena said:
I don't get it.
How do you apply the AM-GM inequality?

The best I can make of it, is:

$\dfrac {25}{u}\times (u+v+w)+\dfrac {16}{v}\times (u+v+w)+\dfrac {9}{w}\times (u+v+w) \\
= (25+16+9) + \dfrac {25}{u}\times (v+w)+\dfrac {16}{v}\times (u+w)+\dfrac {9}{w}\times (u+v) \\
\ge (25+16+9) + \dfrac {25}{u}\times 2\sqrt{vw}+\dfrac {16}{v}\times 2\sqrt{uw}+\dfrac {9}{w}\times 2\sqrt{uv}$

But that does not get me anywhere. :confused:
I think the idea is to use the inequality to deduce things like $$25\frac vu + 16\frac uv \geqslant 2\sqrt{25\times16\frac{vu}{uv}}.$$ Using that approach, you might need a bit of additional argument to show that the minimum value 144 is actually attained.
 
Opalg said:
I think the idea is to use the inequality to deduce things like $$25\frac vu + 16\frac uv \geqslant 2\sqrt{25\times16\frac{vu}{uv}}.$$ Using that approach, you might need a bit of additional argument to show that the minimum value 144 is actually attained.

Yep. That makes sense.
Thanks.
 
Albert said:
$x,y,z\in R^+$
given :
$x^3+y^3+z^3=1$
find the largest value of k such that the following inequality always holds:
$\dfrac {25}{x^3}+\dfrac{16}{y^3}+\dfrac {9}{z^3} \geq k$

I just found a different solution.

According to the Cauchy-Schwarz inequality we have for all $\mathbf a$ and $\mathbf b$ in an inner product space:
$$|(\mathbf a\cdot \mathbf b)|^2 \le (\mathbf a \cdot \mathbf a)(\mathbf b \cdot \mathbf b)$$

If we pick $$\mathbf a = \left(\frac 5{x^{3/2}}, \frac 4{y^{3/2}}, \frac 3{z^{3/2}}\right)$$ and $$\mathbf b = \left(x^{3/2}, y^{3/2}, z^{3/2}\right)$$,

we get:
\begin{array}{lcl}
|(5+4+3)|^2 &\le& \left(\frac{25}{x^3} + \frac{16}{y^3} + \frac{9}{z^3}\right) (x^3+y^3+z^3) & \\
144 &\le& \frac{25}{x^3}+\frac{16}{y^3}+\frac{9}{z^3} & \qquad \blacksquare
\end{array}
 
I like Serena said:
I just found a different solution.

According to the Cauchy-Schwarz inequality we have for all $\mathbf a$ and $\mathbf b$ in an inner product space:
$$|(\mathbf a\cdot \mathbf b)|^2 \le (\mathbf a \cdot \mathbf a)(\mathbf b \cdot \mathbf b)$$

If we pick $$\mathbf a = \left(\frac 5{x^{3/2}}, \frac 4{y^{3/2}}, \frac 3{z^{3/2}}\right)$$ and $$\mathbf b = \left(x^{3/2}, y^{3/2}, z^{3/2}\right)$$,

we get:
\begin{array}{lcl}
|(5+4+3)|^2 &\le& \left(\frac{25}{x^3} + \frac{16}{y^3} + \frac{9}{z^3}\right) (x^3+y^3+z^3) & \\
144 &\le& \frac{25}{x^3}+\frac{16}{y^3}+\frac{9}{z^3} & \qquad \blacksquare
\end{array}
... with equality if (and only if) $$\Bigl(\frac 5{x^{3/2}}, \frac 4{y^{3/2}}, \frac 3{z^{3/2}}\Bigr)$$ is a scalar multiple of $\bigl(x^{3/2}, y^{3/2}, z^{3/2}\bigr)$, from which you can quickly deduce that $(x^3,y^3,z^3) = \bigl(\tfrac5{12},\tfrac4{12},\tfrac3{12}\bigr).$
 

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