100 Inequality Problems

100 Inequality Problems
Maths Olympiad Preparation
4th April 2024
Problems & Solutions

Problem 1
Let a, b & c ∈ R+ . Prove that
(2a)(2a) (2b)(2b) (2c)(2c) ≥ (b + c)(b+c) (c + a)(c+a) (a + b)(a+b) .
Use Weighted AM-GM Inequality, to obtain
b 1b + c 1c
r
b+c 1 1
≥ b
· c
b+c b c
b c b+c
=⇒ (2b) (2c) ≥ (b + c) .
We obtain two analogous inequalities and multiplying all of them yields
the desired result.
Equality holds iff a = b = c.
QED.
1
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Problem 2
Let a, b & c ∈ R+ with a2 + b2 + c2 = 1. Prove that
a2 ln (1 + bc) b2 ln (1 + ca) c2 ln (1 + ab) 64

+ + ≥ ln .
bc ca ab 27
ln(1+x)
The function f (x) = x is convex and decreasing. By Chebyshev and
Jensen, we have
X a2 ln(1 + bc) 1 X 2 X ln(1 + ab)
≥ a
bc 3 ab P
ab
1 X 2 3 ln 1 + 3
≥ a · P
ab
3
3 P 2
a
1 X 2 3 ln 1 + 3
≥ a · P
a2
3
3
4
= 3 ln
3
64
= ln .
27
Equality holds iff a = b = c = √1 .

3
QED.
100 Inequality Problems 2 Maths Olympiad Preparation

Problem 3
Let a, b & c ∈ R+ with a + b + c = abc. Prove that

√
a2 b2 c2 3
√ + √ + √ ≥ (a + b + c).
2
a +1 2
b +1 2
c +1 2
2
√a
P
Let I = cyc a2 +1
. Then by using Holder’s Inequality, we obtain
! !3
X a2 + 1 X
2
I ≥ a
cyc
a cyc
( cyc a)3
P
2
=⇒ I ≥ P a2 +1 .
cyc a
Thus, we need to prove that

!2
( cyc a)3
P
3 X
P a2 +1 ≥ a
cyc a
4 cyc
X 3X 3X1
⇐⇒ a≥ a+
cyc
4 cyc 4 cyc a
" #
X 3(bc + ca + ab) X1 bc + ca + ab
⇐⇒ a≥ ∵ =
cyc
a+b+c cyc
a a+b+c
⇐⇒ (a + b + c)2 ≥ 3(bc + ca + ab)
X
⇐⇒ (b − c)2 ≥ 0.
cyc
Which is clearly true. √

Equality holds iff a = b = c = 3.
QED.

Problem 4
8(a2 − 1)(b2 − 1)(c2 − 1) ≤ (a2 + 1)(b2 + 1)(c2 + 1).
Substitute a = cot A2 , b = cot B2 , c = cot C2 with A + B + C = 180◦ . Then

the given inequality becomes
8(cos2 A
2 − sin2 A 2 B 2 B
2 )(cos 2 − sin 2 )(cos 2
2 C
− sin2 C
2)
≤
sin2 A2 sin2 B2 sin2 C2
A B C
csc2 csc2 csc2 ,
2 2 2
i.e. 8 cos A cos B cos C ≤ 1.

Which is clearly true by Jensen Inequality & AM-GM, since the function
f (x) = cos 2x is convex. √
QED.

Problem 5
Let a, b & c ∈ R+ with a2 + b2 + c2 = 1. Prove that

1 1 1 27
2
+ 2
+ 2
≥ .
(1 + bc) (1 + ca) (1 + ab) 16
We
Pn shall prove a more general result ∀ai ∈ R+ (i = 1, · · · , n(≥ 2)), if
2
i=1 ai = 1, then
n
X 1 n3
2
≥ ,
i=1
(1 + ai ai+1 ) (n + 1)2
where an+1 = a1 .
Using Cauchy-Schwarz Inequality, we obtain
n n
!2
X 1 1 X 1
2
≥
i=1
(1 + ai ai+1 ) n i=1
1 + ai ai+1
 2
n2
 
1 
≥  n

n
X

(1 + ai ai+1 )

i=1
n3
= !2
n
X
n+ ai ai+1
i=1
n3
≥ !2
n
1X 2
a + a2i+1

n+
2 i=1 i
n3
= .
(n + 1)2
Equality holds iff a1 = a2 = · · · = an = √1 .

n
QED.

Problem 6
a(b + c) b(c + a) c(a + b)

+ 2 + 2 ≥ 2.
b2 + bc + c 2 c + ca + a 2 a + ab + b2
Note that
X a(b + c)
cyc
b2 + bc + c2
X 4a(b + c)(bc + ca + ab)
=
cyc
4(b2 + bc + c2 )(bc + ca + ab)
X 4a(bc + ca + ab)
≥ .
cyc
(b + c)(a + b + c)2
Therefore, we need to prove that

X 4a(bc + ca + ab)
≥ 2,
cyc
(b + c)(a + b + c)2
or
X a (a + b + c)2
≥ .
cyc
b+c 2(bc + ca + ab)
Which follows from Titu’s Lemma.

QED.

Problem 7
Let a, b ∈ R+ with a2 + b2 = a + b. Prove that

a b 1
+ + ≥ 1.
2b + 1 2a + 1 2ab + 1
Note that
a2 + b2 = a + b =⇒ a + b ≤ 2.
Therefore, Titu’s Lemma & AM-GM gives us
a b 1
+ +
2b + 1 2a + 1 2ab + 1
(a + b)2 1
≥ +
4ab + a + b 2ab + 1
2ab 1
≥ +
2ab + 1 2ab + 1
= 1.
Equality holds iff a = b = 1.

QED.

Problem 8
Let a, b > 0. Prove that

a b kab √
+ + 2 ≥ 2 k−1
b a a + ab + b2
where k ≥ 9.
Note that by AM-GM,
a b kab a2 + ab + b2 kab √
+ + 2 = + − 1 ≥ 2 k − 1.
b a a + ab + b2 ab a2 + ab + b2
√ √ √
a k−1± k−2 k−3
Equality is obtained for = 2 .
b
QED.

Problem 9

a b c
√ +√ +√ ≤ 1.
7a2 2
+b +c2 2 2
a + 7b + c2 a + b2 + 7c2
2
WithoutqLoss of Generality, we may assume a2 + b2 + c2 = 3 Note that

x
f (x) = 6x+3 is concave. Thus,
a b c
√ +√ +√
7a2 + b2 + c2 a2 + 7b2 + c2 a2 + b2 + 7c2
= f (a2 ) + f (b2 ) + f (c2 )
2
a + b2 + c2

≤ 3f
3
= 1
by Jensen Inequality.
QED.

Problem 10
Let a, b, c, x, y & z be positive reals such that x1 + y1 + z1 = 1. Prove

that
4abcxyz
ax + by + cz ≥ .
(x + y + z − 3)2
Using Weighted AM-GM, we obtain
1 ax 1 ay 1 az

ax + by + cz = xyz · + · + ·
x yz y zx z xy
x x1 y y1 z z1
a a a
≥ xyz
yz zx xy
abcxyz
= 1 1 1
(yz) x (zx) y (xy) z
abcxyz
= 2
1 1 1 1 1 1
x 2y y 2z z 2y y 2x z 2y x 2z
abcxyz
≥ 2
x y z y z x
2y + 2z + 2x + 2x + 2y + 2z
4abcxyz
= 2
x2 y+xy 2 +y 2 z+yz 2 +z 2 x+zx2
xyz
4abcxyz
= 2
x2 y+xy 2 +y 2 z+yz 2 +z 2 x+zx2 +3xyz
xyz −3
4abcxyz
= 2
(x+y+z)(xy+yz+zx)
xyz −3
4abcxyz
= .
(x + y + z − 3)2
Equality holds iff a = b = c and x = y = z = 3.

QED.

Problem 11
Let a, b, c ≥ 0 with a + b + c = 3. Prove that

1 1 1 √
√ +√ +√ ≥ 3.
2a2 + 1 2b2 + 1 2c2 + 1
We have
1 1 1
√ +√ +√
2
2a + 1 2
2b + 1 2c2 + 1
9
≥√ √ √
2a + 1 + 2b2 + 1 + 2c2 + 1
2
3
≥q
2a2 +1+2b2 +1+2c2 +1
3
√
3 3
≥q
a+b+c 2

6 3 +3
√
= 3.

QED.

Problem 12
1 1 1
Let a, b & c ∈ R+ with a + b + c = 1. Show that
aa bc + bb ca + cc ab ≥ 27bc + 27ca + 27ab.
1 1 1
Since a, b, c > 0 and a + b + c = 1, we get
3
√
3
≤1
abc
thereby
abc ≥ 27,
and so the Weighted AM-GM shows
aa bb cc 1 1 1
+ + ≥ (aa ) a (bb ) b (cc ) c = abc ≥ 27,
a b c
which gives
aa bc + bb ca + cc ab ≥ 27abc = 27bc + 27ca + 27ab.

QED.

Problem 13
Let a, b, c be positive real numbers such that a3 + b3 = c3 . Prove

that √ √
a2 + b2 − c2 ≥ 2 + 4 + 2 2 (c − a)(c − b).
3 3
We’ll find the maximal k for which the inequality
a2 + b2 − c2 ≥ k(c − a)(c − b)
is true for all positives a, b and c such that a3 + b3 = c3 .
a2 + b2 − c2 ≥ k(c − a)(c − b)
a3 + b3
⇐⇒ a2 + b2 − ≥ k(c − a)(c − b)
c
⇐⇒ (c − a)a2 + (c − b)b2 ≥ kc(c − a)(c − b)
c3 − b3 c3 − a 3
⇐⇒ (c − a) · + (c − b) · ≥ kc(c − a)(c − b)
a b
⇐⇒ (c2 + cb + b2 )b + (c2 + ca + a2 )a ≥ kabc
⇐⇒ c2 (a + b) + c(a2 + b2 ) + a3 + b3 ≥ kabc
⇐⇒ c(a + b) + a2 + b2 + c2 ≥ kab
p p 2
⇐⇒ (a + b) a3 + b3 + a2 + b2 +
3 3
a3 + b3 ≥ kab.
Now, by AM-GM we obtain
p p 2 √ √
a3 + b3 + a2 + b2 +
3 3 3 3
(a + b) a3 + b3 ≥ (2 2 + 2 + 4)ab.
√ √
The equality occurs for a = b. Hence, the answer is indeed 2 3 2+2+ 3 4.
QED.

Problem 14

bc ca ab 1 1 1 1
3 3
+ 3 3
+ 3 3
≤ + + .
b + c + abc c + a + abc a + b + abc 3 a b c
We have
b3 + c3 ≥ bc(b + c) ⇐⇒ (b + c)(b − c)2 ≥ 0.
Thus,
X bc X bc 3
≤ = .
cyc
b3 3
+ c + abc cyc
bc(a + b + c) a + b+c

3 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
≤ + + ⇐⇒ (a + b + c) + + ≥ 9.
a+b+c 3 a b c a b c
The last inequality follows from Cauchy-Schwarz Inequality.

QED.

Problem 15
Let a, b & c ∈ R+ with abc = 1. Prove that
(b2 + c2 )(c2 + a2 )(a2 + b2 ) ≥ (a2 + 1)(b2 + 1)(c2 + 1).
x2 y2 z2
Let a = yz , b = zx , c = xy . Then the inequality we need to prove becomes
(y 6 + z 6 )(z 6 + x6 )(x6 + y 6 ) ≥ x2 y 2 z 2 (x4 + y 2 z 2 )(y 4 + z 2 x2 )(z 4 + x2 y 2 ).
Now, note that
y 6 + z 6 ≥ yz(y 4 + z 4 ) ⇐⇒ (y 5 − z 5 )(y − z) ≥ 0.
Therefore,
Y Y
(y 6 + z 6 ) ≥ x2 y 2 z 2 (y 4 + z 4 )
cyc cyc
sY
= x2 y 2 z 2 (y 4 + z 4 )2
cyc
sY
= x2 y 2 z 2 (x4 + y 4 )(x4 + z 4 )
cyc
Y
≥ x2 y 2 z 2 (x4 + y 2 z 2 ). [By Cauchy-Schwarz]
cyc

QED.

Problem 16

X a2 (a + b + c)(a2 + b2 + c2 )
≥ .
cyc
b+c 2(bc + ca + ab)
We have
X a2 (a + b + c)(a2 + b2 + c2 )
≥
cyc
b+c 2(bc + ca + ab)
X X Y X X
⇐⇒ 2 bc a2 (a + b)(a + c) − b+c a a2 ≥ 0
cyc cyc cyc cyc cyc
X X
2
⇐⇒ 2abc a(a − b)(a − c) + abc a(b − c)
cyc cyc
X X
+4 b2 c2 (b − c)2 + bc(b − c)4 ≥ 0.
cyc cyc
Which is clearly true.

QED.

Problem 17
Let a, b & c ∈ R+ with a + b + c = 1. Prove that

!2 !3
X X
3 bc − 3abc ≥4 bc .
cyc cyc
Homogenization gives
!2 !3
X X
3 bc(b + c) ≥4 bc .
cyc cyc
Which simplifies to
X X
3 b2 c2 (b2 + c2 ) + 2 b3 c3 ≥ 24a2 b2 c2 .
cyc cyc
Which follows from AM-GM.

1
Equality holds iff a = b = c = .
3
QED.

Problem 18
a2 + b2 + c2

1 8 a b c
+ ≥ + + .
ab + bc + ca 3 9 b+c c+a a+b
Let p = a + b + c, q = ab + bc + ca, r = abc, the given inequality can be

written as
p2 − 2q 1 8 p(p2 + q)

+ ≥ −3
q 3 9 pq − r
p2 8(p3 + pq)
=⇒ − +1≥0
q 9(pq − r)
=⇒ 9p2 (pq − r) − 8q(p3 + pq) + 9q(pq − r) ≥ 0
=⇒ (pq − 9r)(p2 + q) ≥ 0.
The last inequality is obvious by AM-GM.
QED.

Problem 19

a − bc b − ca c − ab
+ + ≥ 0.
2a + 9 2b + 9 2c + 9
After expanding and homogenization, the inequality we need to prove is

equivalent to
X X
3 a2 (a − b)(a − c) + 4 bc(b − c)2 ≥ 0.
Which is clearly true by Schur’s.

QED.

Problem 20

√ √ √
a b3 + c3 b c3 + a3 c a3 + b3 3
+ 2 + ≥√ .
b2 + c 2 c + a2 a2 + b2 2
Note that
(b3 + c3 )(b + c) ≥ (b2 + c2 )2 ⇐⇒ bc(b − c)2 ≥ 0.
Therefore, √
b3 + c2 1
≥√ .
b2 + c2 b+c
Thus, √
X a b3 + c3 X a
≥ √ .
cyc
b2 + c2 cyc
b+c
Use Holder’s Inequality, to obtain

!2 ! !2
X a X X
√ a(b + c) ≥ a
cyc
b+c cyc cyc
!2 √
X a (a + b + c)3 3(a + b + c) 3 3 abc 9
i.e. √ ≥ ≥ ≥ = .
cyc
b+c 2(bc + ca + ab) 2 2 2
The last inequality follows by AM-GM.

QED.

Problem 21

X a3 1
≥ .
cyc
40a2 + 80bc + 23a + 3 48
Let x = a + b + c, then by AM-GM x ≥ 3. Now, Holder’s Inequality gives

us
X a3 x3
≥ .
cyc
40a2 + 80bc + 23a + 3 3(40x2 + 23x + 3)
16x3 ≥ 40x2 + 23x + 3 ⇐⇒ (4x + 1)2 (x − 3) ≥ 0.

QED.

Problem 22
Let a, b & c ∈ R+ with bc + ca + ab + abc = 4. Find the minimal

value of
1 1 1
√ +√ +√ .
8a + bc 8b + ca 8c + ab
We’ll prove that

X 1
√ ≥ 1.
cyc
8a + bc
Indeed, by Holder
!2 !3
X 1 X 8a + bc X 1
√ ≥ =1
cyc
8a + bc cyc
(a + 2)3 cyc
a+2
and it’s enough to prove that

X 8a + bc
≤ 1,
cyc
(a + 2)3
2x
which after substitution a = and similar gives
y+z
X
(x5 y − x3 y 3 + 4x4 yz − 2x3 y 2 z − 2x2 y 2 z 2 ) ≥ 0,
sym
which is true due to Muirhead.

QED.

Problem 23
a b
Let a, b & c ∈ R+ with a + b + c = b + c + ac . Prove that
1 1 1
+ + ≤ 1.
b2 + c2 + 1 c2 + a2 + 1 a2 + b2 + 1
By Cauchy-Schwarz,
(a2 + b2 + 1)(1 + 1 + c2 ) ≥ (a + b + c)2 ,

X 1 X c2 + 2
=⇒ ≤ .
cyc
a2 2
+b +1 cyc
(a + b + c)2
Thus, it suffices to prove that
(a + b + c)2 ≥ a2 + b2 + c2 + 6 ⇐⇒ ab + bc + ca ≥ 3.
By the condition and Cauchy-Schwarz,
a b c (a + b + c)2
a+b+c= + + ≥
b c a ab + bc + ca
=⇒ ab + bc + ca ≥ a + b + c
=⇒ (ab + bc + ca)2 ≥ (a + b + c)2 ≥ 3(ab + bc + ca)
=⇒ ab + bc + ca ≥ 3.
QED.

Problem 24

p
(a2 − 1)(b2 − 1)(c2 − 1) ≤ (a2 + 1)(b2 + 1)(c2 + 1).
Let p = a + b + c, q = bc + ca + ab & r = abc. Then, we have
(a2 − 1)(b2 − 1)(c2 − 1) = (r + p)2 − (q + 1)2 = 4p2 − (q + 1)2 .
(a2 + 1)(b2 + 1)(c2 + 1) = (r − p)2 + (q − 1)2 = (q − 1)2 .

4p2 − (q + 1)2 ≤ q − 1,
⇐⇒ 4p2 ≤ q 2 + 3q
!2 !2
X X X
⇐⇒ 4 a ≤ bc + 3 bc
cyc cyc cyc
!2
X X 3abc X
⇐⇒ 4abc a≤ bc + · bc
cyc cyc
a + b + c cyc
X X
⇐⇒ 2abc a2 ≤ b2 c2 (b + c).
cyc cyc
Which is true due to Muirhead.√

QED.

Problem 25
Let a, b & c ∈ R+ with bc + ca + ab + 2abc = 1. Prove that
a3 + b3 + c3 ≥ 2(b2 c2 + c2 a2 + a2 b2 ).
x y z
Let a = , b = and c = . Thus, yz + zx + xy + xyz = 4 and we need
2 2 2
to prove that
x3 + y 3 + z 3 ≥ y 2 z 2 + z 2 x2 + x2 y 2 .
Now, from the condition and Cauchy-Schwarz,
X x (x + y + z)2
1= ≥ P 2 ,
cyc
x+2 (x + 2x)
cyc
which gives
yz + zx + xy
1≥ ,
x+y+z
(x3 + y 3 + z 3 )(yz + zx + xy)
⇐⇒ x3 + y 3 + x3 ≥
x+y+z
(x3 + y 3 + z 3 )(yz + zx + xy)

≥ y 2 z 2 + z 2 x2 + x2 y 2
x+y+z
or
X X X X
x4 (y + z) + xyz x2 ≥ x3 (y 2 + z 2 ) + xyz yz,
cyc cyc cyc cyc
Which is true due to Muirhead.

Equality holds iff a = b = c = 21 .
QED.

Problem 26
In ∆ABC, let I be the incenter. Let BI ∩ AC = E, and let

CI ∩ AB = F . Prove that
(BI 2 + CI 2 )(AE 2 + AF 2 ) ≥ (IE 2 + IF 2 )(AB 2 + AC 2 ).
Let a, b, c be the vertices and lb , lc be the angle bisectors of b and c

respectively. Let s be the semiperimeter, by angle bisector theorem,
bc bc (a + c)lb blb
we have AF = , AE = , BI = , IE = , CI =
a+b a+c 2s 2s
(a + b)lc clc 1
and IF = . Plugging these in, cancelling 2 and dividing
2s 2s 4s
by b2 c2 , we get that the inequality is equivalent to
h i 1 1

2 2
(a + c) lb2 + (a + b) lc2 +
(a + c)2 (a + b)2

1 1
≥ b2 lb2 + c2 lc2

+ .
b2 c2
Use Cauchy-Schwarz expand the brackets to obtain

2 2
b2 c2

a+c a+b
lb2 + lc2 ≥ lb2 2
+ lc2 2 .
a+b a+c c b
We move lb2 and lc2 to left and right sides respectively.

2 2 2 2

2 2s(c − b)(b + c + ab + ac) 2 2s(c − b)(b + c + ab + ac)
lb ≥ lc
c2 (a + b)2 b2 (a + c)2
Cancelling out the positive terms, we get
(c − b)b2 (a + c)2 lb2 ≥ (c − b)c2 (a + b)2 lc2 .
By the second angle bisector theorem, we have (a + c)2 lb2 = 4acs(s − b)

and (a + b)2 lc2 = 4abs(s − c). Cancelling out the terms abcs yields
(c − b)b(s − b) ≥ (c − b)c(s − c) ⇐⇒ (c − b) c2 − b2 − cs + bs ≥ 0

2
⇐⇒ (c − b) (c + b − s) ≥ 0.
By the triangle inequality, we have b + c > s.

Hence, the inequality is true with equality iff b = c.
QED.

Problem 27
In ∆ABC, prove that
a3 + b3 + c3 2r
≥4− .
abc R
A B C r
Use the identity sin2 + sin2 + sin2 = 1− , where r and R are
2 2 2 2R
in inradius and circumradius respectively.
r
A (s − b)(s − c)
Also, recall the identity sin 2 = and its cyclic counter-
bc
parts.
Now, a = (s − b) + (s − c). Therefore,
a2 = (s − b)2 + (s − c)2 + 2(s − b)(s − c) ≥ 4(s − b)(s − c).
by AM-GM, with equality iff b = c.

Therefore,
a2 4(s − b)(s − c) A
≥ = 4 sin2 ,
bc bc 2
and
!
a3 + b3 + c3 X a2 X
2 A
r 2r
= ≥4 sin =4 1− =4− .
abc cyc
bc cyc
2 2R R
Equality holds iff a = b = c i.e. when ∆ABC is equilateral.

QED.

Problem 28

a b c 1
p +p +p ≥ .
2(b4 + c4 ) + 7bc 2(c4 + a4 ) + 7ca 2(a4 + b4 ) + 7ab 3
Note that
1 1
≥ 2 ⇐⇒ (b − c)4 ≥ 0.
2b + 5bc + 2c2
p
4 4
2(b + c ) + 7bc
By Cauchy-Schwarz & Titu’s Lemma, we obtain

X a
p
2(b4 + c4 ) + 7bc
cyc
X a
≥ 2 + 5bc + 2c2
cyc
2b
(a + b + c)2
≥ P
(2a2 b + 2a2 c + 5abc)
cyc
1
≥ .
a+b+c

QED.

Problem 29
Prove that in any triangle ABC,

B C C A A B A B C
2 sin sin + sin sin + sin sin ≤ sin + sin + sin .
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
A B C
We can replace sin , sin & sin by x, y & z. Then we need to prove
2 2 2
that
2(yz + zx + xy) ≤ x + y + z.
Subject to the condition x2 + y 2 + z 2 + 2xyz = 1.
Note that
X x
1 ≥ yz + zx + xy + 2xyz ⇐⇒ 1 ≥ .
cyc
x+1
Now, Titu’s Lemma gives us

X x2 (x + y + z)2
1≥ ≥
cyc
x2 + x x2 + y 2 + z 2 + x + y + z
⇐⇒ x + y + z ≥ 2(yz + zx + xy).
Equality holds iff ∆ABC is equilateral.
QED.

Problem 30
Let a, b & c ∈ R+ with abc = 1 Prove that

√ √ √ p
2a + 1 + 2b + 1 + 2c + 1 ≤ (2a + 1)(2b + 1)(2c + 1).
Let a = xy , b = yz , c = xz , then we need to prove

r r
X 2x Y 2x Xp Yp
+1≤ + 1 ⇐⇒ xz(2x + z) ≤ 2x + y.
cyc
y cyc
y cyc cyc
By Cauchy Schwarz,
" #2 !
Xp X xz X
xz(2x + z) ≤ (2x + z)(x + z),
cyc cyc
x+z cyc
and since by Muirhead,

!
Y X xz X
(2x + y) ≥ (2x + z)(x + z)
cyc cyc
x + z cyc
X X X
⇐⇒ 2 x3 y 3 + 2 x4 y 2 ≥ xyz xy(x + y) + 6x2 y 2 z 2 ,
cyc cyc cyc
our proof is complete and the inequality is true.

Equality holds off a = b = c = 1.
QED.

Problem 31
In ∆ABC with exradii ra , rb & rc . Prove that

X (ra + rb )(ra + rc )
≥ 9.
cyc
bc
We make the Ravi Substitution as follows
a = y + z, b = z + x & c = x + y.
bc
Claim:
P
cyc = 1.
(ra + rb )(ra + rc )
Proof: We have
X bc X (z + x)(x + y)
=
cyc
(ra + rb )(ra + rc ) (∆ + ∆
cyc x
∆ ∆
y )( x + z )
X x
=
cyc
x + y+z
= 1.
Thus, the inequality we need to prove is
p + q + r ≥ 9,
subject to the condition p1 + 1q + 1r = 1.

Which follows from Cauchy Schwarz.
QED.

Problem 32
In ∆ABC with exradii ra , rb & rc and altitudes ha , hb & hc . Prove

that X X
(ra + rb )(ra + rc ) ≥ 4 hb hc .
cyc cyc
We make the Ravi Substitution as follows
a = y + z, b = z + x & c = x + y.
Claim: ra + rb ≥ 2hc .
Proof: This is
1 1 4
+ ≥ .
x y x+y
Which follows from Titu’s Lemma.
Hence, our desired inequality follows immediately.
QED.

Problem 33

1 1 1
+ 3 + 3 ≤ 1.
a3 +2 b +2 c +2
Use abc = 1 to obtain

X 1 X abc X bc 3 X a2
= = = − .
cyc
a3 +2 cyc
3
a + 2abc cyc
2
a + 2bc 2
2 cyc 2(a + 2bc)
By Titu’s Lemma, we have

X a2 (a + b + c)2
≥ = 1.
cyc
a2 + 2bc (a + b + c)2
Hence,
X 1
≤ 1.
cyc
a3 +2

QED.

Problem 34
b3 c3 a3 a+b+c
+ 2 + 2 ≥ .
b2 + bc + c2 c + ca + a2 a + ab + b2 3
Note that
2
a3 2a b (a + b)(a − b)
2 2
≥ − ⇐⇒ ≥ 0.
a + ab + b 3 3 3(a2 + ab + b2 )

QED.

Problem 35

2
(b + c − a)2 (c + a − b)2 (a + b − c)2

3 bc + ca + ab
+ + ≥ +2 1− 2 .
b2 + c2 c2 + a2 a 2 + b2 2 a + b2 + c 2
Since
2
(b + c − a)2 (b + c)2 a2 + b2 + c2 − ab − ac
+ 1 = + ,
b2 + c 2 a2 + b2 + c2 (b2 + c2 ) (a2 + b2 + c2 )
we have
X (b + c − a)2
+3
cyc
b2 + c2
X a2 + b2 + c2 − ab − ac 2
" #
1 X
= 2 (b + c)2 +
a + b2 + c2 cyc cyc
b2 + c2
X a2 + b2 + c2 − ab − ac 2

2(bc + ca + ab) 1
=2+ + 2
a2 + b2 + c2 a + b2 + c2 cyc b2 + c2
2
2(bc + ca + ab) 3a2 + 3b2 + 3c2 − 2bc − 2ca − 2ab
≥2+ + 2
a2 + b2 + c2 2 (a2 + b2 + c2 )
2
9 bc + ca + ab
= +2 1− 2 .
2 a + b2 + c2

QED.

Problem 36
Let a & b ∈ R+ . Prove that

a b 2ab 3
√ +√ +√ √ ≤ .
a2+b 2 2
9a + b 2 2 2 2
a + b 9a + b2 2
√
xb
Let a = √ , where x > 0. Thus, after squaring twice, we obtain
3
(x − 1)2 (75x2 + 106x + 75) ≥ 0.
b
Equality holds iff x = 1 i.e. a = √ .
3
QED.

Problem 37
Let a, b, c & d ∈ R+ with a + b + c + d = 1. Prove that

1
6(a3 + b3 + c3 + d3 ) ≥ (a2 + b2 + c2 + d2 ) + .
8
By Chebyshev, we have
3 2
6(a3 + b3 + c3 + d3 ) ≥ (a + b2 + c2 + d2 ).
2
By Cauchy Schwarz, we have
1 2 1
(a + b2 + c2 + d2 ) ≥ .
2 8

Equality holds iff a = b = c = d = 41 .
QED.

Problem 38
In acute ∆ABC, prove that
7(cos A + cos B + cos C) ≤ 9 + 2(cos B cos C + cos C cos A + cos A cos B).
We use the following identity

X 1 2
= .
cyc
cos A + cos B cos C cos A + cos B + cos C − 1
Now, use Titu’s Lemma to obtain

2 9
≥P P
cos A + cos B + cos C − 1 cyc cos A + cyc cos B cos C
X X
⇐⇒ 9 + 2 cos B cos C ≥ 7 cos A.
cyc cyc

QED.

Problem 39
In ∆ABC with inradius r & circumradius R. Prove that
4r2 + 16Rr ≤ a2 + b2 + c2 .
We use the following identity
bc + ca + ab = s2 + r2 + 4Rr.
Now, use AM-GM to obtain
4(r2 + 4Rr) = 4(bc + ca + ab − s2 )

= 4(bc + ca + ab) − (a + b + c)2
= 2(bc + ca + ab) − a2 + b2 + c2
≤ a2 + b2 + c2 .

QED.

Problem 40
In ∆ABC with inradius r & circumradius R. Prove that

3
R b c c a a b
≥ + + + .
r c b a c b a
It is enough to prove that
R b c
≥ + .
r c b
Let la , lb & lc denote the angle bisectors and ha , hb & hc denote the
altitudes. Then, we have
h2b + h2c ≤ lb2 + lc2

4cas(s − b) 4abs(s − c)
= +
(c + a)2 (a + b)2
≤ s(s − b) + s(s − c)
= sa
2 2
4∆ 4∆
=⇒ 2
+ 2 ≤ sa
b c
abc 1 1
=⇒ · rs · + 2 ≤ sa
R b2 c
b c R
=⇒ + ≤ .
c b r
QED.

Problem 41
In acute ∆ABC with inradius r & circumradius R. Prove that

(sec A)cos A + (sec B)cos B + (sec C)cos C 5r − R
< .
sec A + sec B + sec C 12r
Let f (x) = x1x , where x > 0. Then, f is concave in (0, 1). Thus, by
Jensen Inequality, we obtain
(sec A)cos A + (sec B)cos B + (sec C)cos C

cos A+cos3 B+cos C
3
≤3
cos A + cos B + cos C
1 9
≤ 3e e < .
2
Again, Jensen Inequality & Cauchy Schwarz gives us

1
sec A + sec B + sec C
cos A + cos B + cos C
≤
9
1
≤ .
6
Hence,
(sec A)cos A + (sec B)cos B + (sec C)cos C 3 5r − R

< ≤ .
sec A + sec B + sec C 4 12r
Where the last inequality follows from R ≥ 2r.

QED.

Problem 42
r(R − 2r) X
2
+7 cos A ≤ 9 + 2(cos B cos C + cos C cos A + cos A cos B).
R cyc
We have
R+r
cos A + cos B + cos C =
R
and
s2 − 4R2 + r2
cos B cos C + cos C cos A + cos A cos B = .
4R2
s2 ≥ 16Rr − 5r2 .
Which is just Gerretsen’s Inequality.

QED.

Problem 43
In ∆ABC with symmedians sa , sb & sc . Prove that

bc ca ab
+ + ≤ 6R.
sa sb sc
Let ha , hb & hc be the altitudes. Then sa ≥ ha , etc. So, we have

X bc X bc
≤ = 6R.
s
cyc a
h
cyc a

QED.

Problem 44
√
r
3 r2 + 4Rr s
r2 s ≤ ≤ .
3 3
Using the Ravi Substitution as before, we obtain
r2 s = xyz & r2 + 4Rr = yz + zx + xy.

r
√ yz + zx + xy x+y+z
3
xyz ≤ ≤ .
3 3
Which follows from AM-GM.

QED.

Problem 45
(1 − cos A)(1 − cos B)(1 − cos C) 8(tan A + tan B + tan C)3

≥ Q .
cos A cos B cos C 27 cyc (tan B + tan C)
Using AM-GM, we obtain
tan2 A
Q
8(tan A + tan B + tan C)3 8 tan3 A tan3 B tan3 C cyc
Q = Q ≤ .
27 cyc (tan B + tan C) 27 cyc (tan B + tan C) 27
tan2 A
Q
(1 − cos A)(1 − cos B)(1 − cos C) cyc
≥
cos A cos B cos C 27
⇐⇒ 27 ≥ (sec A + 1)(sec B + 1)(sec C + 1).

Which follows from Jensen & AM-GM.
QED.

Problem 46
In ∆ABC with area ∆ and medians ma , mb & mc . Prove that
3R2 (ma + mb + mc ) ≥ 2∆(a + b + c).
Note that
abc
R2 ≥ .
a+b+c
3abc(ma + mb + mc ) ≥ 2∆(a + b + c)2 .
Lemma: In any ∆ABC, we have

ma mb mc (a + b + c) ≥ 2∆(m2a + m2b + m2c ).
Proof: Let G be the centroid of ∆ABC. Now, apply

Tereshin’s Inequality on ∆BGC with sides BC to obtain
4amb mc ma 4
· ≥ (m2b + m2c )
3∆ 3 9
=⇒ ama mb mc ≥ ∆(m2b + m2c ).

Building up two analogous inequalities adding all up yields the desired
result.
Now, apply our Lemma on triangle with sides ma , mb & mc to obtain
abc(ma + mb + mc ) ≥ 2∆(a2 + b2 + c2 )
2∆(a + b + c)2
=⇒ abc(ma + mb + mc ) ≥ .
3
Where the last inequality follows from QM-AM.
QED.

Problem 47
Let a, b, c ≥ 0 with (a2 − a + 1)(b2 − b + 1)(c2 − c + 1) = 1. Prove that
(b2 + bc + c2 )(c2 + ca + a2 )(a2 + ab + b2 ) ≤ 27.
Note that
a2 + b2
≤ (a2 − a + 1)(b2 − b + 1).
2
Also, we have
a2 + ab + b2 a2 + b2
≤ ⇐⇒ (a − b)2 ≥ 0.
3 2
Hence, Y Y
(b2 + bc + c2 ) ≤ (a2 − a + 1)2 ≤ 1
cyc cyc
Y
=⇒ (b2 + bc + c2 ) ≤ 1.
cyc

QED.

Problem 48

X x2 X x
≥ .
cyc
y(x + y) + z(x + z) cyc
(x + y) + (x + z)
Without Loss of Generality, assume that x + y + z = 1. Then, we have

X x X x 3
RHS = = ≤ ,
cyc
2x + y + z cyc
1 + x 4
x
as the function f = is convex.
1+x
Let x2 = a, y 2 = b and z 2 = c and assume a + b + c = 1. Notice that by
applying AM-GM on the denominator, we obtain
X x2 X 2a X 2a 3
LHS = ≥ = ≥
cyc
y(x + y) + z(x + z) cyc
2a + 3b + 3c cyc
3 − a 4
x
as the function f (x) = is convex.
3−x
Therefore,
X x2 3 X x
≥ ≥ .
cyc
y(x + y) + z(x + z) 4 cyc
(x + y) + (x + z)

QED.

Problem 49
Let x1 , x2 , x3 , . . . , x10 ∈ N with x1 + x2 + x3 + . . . + x10 = 58. Find

the maximum and minimum value of
x21 + x22 + x23 + . . . + x210 .
Let f (x1 , x2 , ...x10 ) = x21 + ... + x210 .

let 1 < a ≤ b then
f (a, b, x3 , ..., x10 ) < f (a − 1, b + 1, x3 , ..., x10 )
because
f (a − 1, b + 1, x3 , ..., x10 ) − f (a, b, x3 , ..., x10 )

= (b + 1)2 + (a − 1)2 − b2 − a2 = 2(b − a + 1) ≥ 2.
So, maximal configuration is possible if
x1 = x2 = ...x9 = 1, x10 = 49
and
f (1, 1, ..., 1, 49) = 492 + 9 = 2410.
Let b − a ≥ 2 then
f (a, b, ..., x10 ) > f (a + 1, b − 1, ..., x10 )
because
f (a + 1, b − 1, ..., x10 ) − f (a, b, ..., x10 ) = 2(a − b + 1) ≤ −2
So, minimum configuration is possible if
x1 = x2 = ...xn = a, xn+1 = xn+2 = ... = x10 = a + 1
for some n ≤ 10 and some a.
an + (10 − n)(a + 1) = 58
=⇒ n = 10a − 48 → n = 2, a = 5.
Then,
f (5, 5, 6, 6, ..., 6) = 50 + 8 × 36 = 338.

Problem 50

1 1 1 6
+ + + ≥ 5.
a b c a+b+c
Without Loss of Generality, assume that a ≥ b ≥ c.

Let
1 1 1 6
f (a, b, c) = + + + .
a b c a+b+c
Then, we have
√ √
f (a, b, c) ≥ f (a, bc, bc)
√ √
( b − c)2 √
⇐⇒ √ {(a + b + c)(a + 2 bc) − 6bc} ≥ 0
(a + b + c)(a + 2 bc)
√
⇐⇒ (a + b + c)(a + 2 bc) ≥ 6bc
But
b+c √
a≥ ≥ bc.
2
Thus, √
(a + b + c)(a + 2 bc) ≥ 9bc > 6bc.
Also, we have

1
f , x, x ≥ 5 ⇐⇒ (x − 1)2 (2x4 + 4x3 − 4x2 − x + 2) ≥ 0.
x2
As 2x4 + 4x3 − 4x2 − x + 2 > 0 ∀ x > 0. Therefore,
√ √ 1 √ √

f (a, b, c) ≥ f (a, bc, bc) ≥ f , bc, bc ≥ 5.
bc

QED.

Problem 51
Let a, b, c & x ∈ R+ . Prove that

a x b x c x a + c x b + a x c + b x
+ + ≥ + + .
b c a b+c c+a a+b
Lemma: If x, y ∈ R+ with (x − y)(y − 1) ≥ 0. Then,

2 2
x2 + ≥ y2 + .
x y
Proof: If x ≥ y, then x ≥ y ≥ 1. Or if xy, then x ≤ y ≤ 1. And in both

the cases, we find that
(x − y)(xy(x + y) − 2)
≥ 0.
xy
Using our Lemma, we obtain
a 2x x 2x x
b a+c b+c
+2 ≥ + .
b a b+c a+c
Building up two analogous inequalities and adding all up gives

x 2 x x x 2
a x b c x a+c b+a c+b
+ + ≥ + +
b c a b+c c+a a+b
a x x x x x
b c x a+c b+a c+b
=⇒ + + ≥ + + .
b c a b+c c+a a+b
QED.

Problem 52
Let a, b, c & d ∈ R+ with a + b + c + d = 4. Prove that

a+1 b+1 c+1 d+1
2
+ 2 + 2 + 2 ≥ 4.
b +1 c +1 d +1 a +1
The inequality is equivalent to

X b2 (a + 1)
≤ 4.
b2 + 1
Use AM-GM to obtain
X b2 (a + 1) X b2 (a + 1)
≤ .
b2 + 1 2b
X b(a + 1)
≤ 4 ⇐⇒ ab + bc + cd + da ≤ 4.
2
which is clearly true.
QED.

Problem 53
Let x, y & z ∈ R+ . Show that
x2 + xy 2 + xyz 2 ≥ 4xyz − 4.
We have
x2 +xy 2 +xyz 2 ≥ 4xyz−4 ⇐⇒ xy(z − 2)2 + x(y − 2)2 + (x − 2)2 ≥ 0.
Equality holds iff x = y = z = 2.

QED.

Problem 54
Let a, b & ∈ R+ with a + b + c = 1. Prove that

1 − 2bc 1 − 2ca 1 − 2ab
+ + ≥ 7.
a b c
Homogenize to get
X
ab(a + b + c)2 − 2a2 b2 ≥ 7abc(a + b + c).

cyc
Expanding gives
X X
a3 b+ ≥ a2 bc.
cyc cyc
Which follows from Muirhead.

1
3
QED.

Problem 55

bc ca ab 27
+ + ≥ .
1+a 1+b 1+c (a + b + c)(3 + a + b + c)
The inequality is equivalent to

1 1 1 27
+ 2 + 2 ≥ .
c2 +c a +a b +b (a + b + c)(3 + a + b + c)
1
Note that f (x) = is a convex function, then by Jensen inequality
x2 + x
1 1 1
+ +
c2 + c a2 + a b2 + b
3
≥ a+b+c 2
( 3 ) + ( a+b+c
3 )
27
= .
(a + b + c)(3 + a + b + c)

QED.

Problem 56
Let a, b & c ∈ R with a + b + c = 3. Prove that
3abc + (a2 − a + 1)(b2 − b + 1)(c2 − c + 1) ≥ 3.
Let p = a + b + c = 3, q = bc + ca + ab & r = abc, then we need to prove

that
3r + r2 − (p + q − 2)r + p2 − pq + q 2 − p − q + 1 ≥ 3
⇐⇒ r2 + (2 − q)r + q 2 − 4q + 4 ≥ 0
3r2 r 2
⇐⇒ + q−2− ≥ 0.
4 2
Equality holds iff r = 0, p = 3, & q = 2 or a = 2, b = 1, c = 0 and cyclic
permutations.
QED.

Problem 57

1
cos A + cos B + cos C ≥ (3 + cos(B − C) + cos(C − A)) + cos(A − B).
4
We have
X s2 + r2 − 4R2
cos B cos C = .
cyc
4R2
X r
cos A = 1 + .
cyc
R
X s2 + r2 + 4Rr
sin B sin C = .
cyc
4R2
s2 ≤ 4R2 + 6Rr − r2 .
Which is clearly true since it’s weaker than Gerretsen’s Inequality, i.e.
s2 ≤ 4R2 + 4Rr + 3r2 . Indeed,
4R2 + 4Rr + 3r2 ≤ 4R2 + 6Rr − r2 ⇐⇒ 2r ≤ R.
Which is just Euler’s Inequality.

QED.

Problem 58
Let a, b & c ∈ R+ with a2 + b2 + c2 + abc = 4. Prove that

1 a b c
< + + ≤ 1.
2 4 − bc 4 − ca 4 − ab
Since a2 ≤ 4, it follows that a ≤ 2. Hence
4 = a2 + b2 + c2 + abc ≤ a2 + b2 + c2 + 2bc = a2 + (b + c)2 ≤ (a + b + c)2 .
It follows that a + b + c ≥ 2. Therefore
a b c a b c 1
+ + ≥ + + ≥ .
4 − bc 4 − ac 4 − ab 4 4 4 2
If a, b, c are all strictly positive, then the inequality abc < 2bc is strict,
so a + b + c > 2 and the desired inequality is also strict.
We have
(2 − a)(2 + a) = 4 − a2 = b2 + c2 + abc ≥ 2bc + abc = (2 + a)bc
Hence, 2 − a ≥ bc, so 4 − bc ≥ 2a + bc.

X a X a
≤ = 1.
cyc
4 − bc cyc
2a + bc
√ √ √
For the last equality, we let a = yz, b = xz and c = xy, where x, y
and z are positives. Then, the condition gives
yz + zx + xy + xyz = 4
X 1
⇐⇒ =1
cyc
x+2
X 1
⇐⇒ bc
=1
cyc a
+2
X a
⇐⇒ = 1.
cyc
2a + bc

QED.

Problem 59

A B C
cos A cos B cos C ≤ sin sin sin .
2 2 2
We have
Y A r
sin = .
cyc
2 4R
Y s2 − r2 − 4Rr − 4R2
cos A = .
cyc
4R2
s2 ≤ 4R2 + 5Rr + r2 .
s2 ≤ 4R2 + 4Rr + 3r2 . Indeed,
4R2 + 4Rr + 3r2 ≤ 4R2 + 5Rr + r2 ⇐⇒ 2r ≤ R.

QED.

Problem 60
Let a, b & c ∈ R+ with a2 + b2 + c2 + abc = 4. Prove that
b2 c2 + c2 a2 + a2 b2 ≥ 3abc.
√ √ √
Let a = yz, b = xz and c = xy, where x, y and z are positives.
Then, the condition gives
yz + zx + xy + xyz = 4
X 1
⇐⇒ =1
cyc
x+2
X 1
⇐⇒ bc
=1
cyc a
+2
X a
⇐⇒ = 1.
cyc
2a + bc
Use Titu’s Lemma to obtain

X a X abc 9abc
1= = 2 2
≥
cyc
2a + bc cyc
2abc + b c 6abc + b c + c2 a2 + a2 b2
2 2
⇐⇒ b2 c2 + c2 a2 + a2 b2 ≥ 3abc.
QED.

Problem 61

3 cos A cos B cos C 2 sin A sin B sin C
≤ .
cos2 A + cos2 B + cos2 C sin A + sin B + sin C
We have
sin A sin B sin C Y A r
=2 sin = .
sin A + sin B + sin C cyc
2 R
Y s2 − r2 − 4Rr − 4R2
cos A = .
cyc
4R2
X 6R2 + r2 + 4Rr − s2
cos2 A = .
cyc
2R2
3s2 R + 2s2 r ≤ 12R3 + 2r3 + 11Rr2 + 24R2 r.
As proven in Problem 59, we have
s2 ≤ 4R2 + 5Rr + r2 .
Thus,
3s2 R + 2s2 r ≤ 12R3 + 2r3 + 23R2 r + 13Rr2 .
So, it remains to prove that
12R3 + 2r3 + 23R2 r + 13Rr2 ≤ 12R3 + 2r3 + 11Rr2 + 24R2 r
⇐⇒ 2r ≤ R.
QED.

Problem 62

r
3 cos A cos B cos C sin A sin B sin C
≤ .
As proven in Problem 61, we have

3 cos A cos B cos C 2 sin A sin B sin C
≤ .
r
2 sin A sin B sin C sin A sin B sin C
≤
sin A + sin B + sin C sin A + sin B + sin C
r
r r
i.e. ≤
R 2R
⇐⇒ 2r ≤ R.
QED.

Problem 63
a4 b4 c4 1
+ 4 + 4 ≤ .
4a4 4
+b +c 4 4
a + 4b + c 4 a + b4 + 4c4 2
Use AM-GM to obtain
4a4 + b4 + c4
= 2a4 + (a4 + b4 ) + (a4 + c4 )
≥ 2a2 (a2 + b2 + c2 ).
Therefore,
X a4 X a2 1
≤ = .
cyc
4a4 + b4 + c4 cyc
2a2 (a2 + b2 + c2 ) 2

QED.
Remark: More generally, we have
ak bk ck 1
k k k
+ k k k
+ k k k
≤ .
4a + b + c a + 4b + c a + b + 4c 2
With equality iff a = b = c.

Problem 64
Let a, b, c ≥ 0 with bc + ca + ab = 1. Prove that

√ √ √
1 + a bc 1 + b ca 1 + c ab 4
√ + √ + √ +≥1+ .
a + bc b + ca c + ab a+b+c
Using the identity, (a + b + c)2 = (−a + b + c)2 + 4a(b + c), the condition
bc + ca + ab = 1 and Cauchy Schwarz, we obtain
a+b+c
p
= [(−a + b + c)2 + 4a(b + c)][bc + a(b + c)]
√
≥ | − a + b + c| bc + 2a(b + c)
√
= (−a + b + c)(a + bc) + a(a + b + c).
1−a −a + b + c
⇐⇒ √ ≥ .
a + bc a+b+c
Therefore,
√
X 1 + a bc
√
cyc a + bc
√
X (1 − a2 ) + a(a + a bc)
= √
cyc a + bc
X X 1−a
= a+ (1 + a) · √
cyc cyc a + bc
X 1 X
≥ a+ (1 + a)(−a + b + c)
cyc
a + b + c cyc
X 1
≥ a+ · [(a + b + c) − (a + b + c)2 + 4(bc + ca + ab)]
cyc
a + b+c
4
= 1+ .
a+b+c
Equality holds iff a = b = 1, c = 0 and cyclic permutations.

QED.

Problem 65
√
r r r
a2 + 5bc b2 + 5ca c2 + 5ab
+ + ≤ 3 2.
a2 + 2bc b2 + 2ca c2 + 2ab
Note that
a2 + 5bc 2a2 + 5b2 + 5c2
2
≤ ⇐⇒ 0 ≤ (b − c)2 .
a + 2bc 2(a2 + b2 + c2 )
Therefore, using Power Mean Inequality, we obtain

r
X a2 + 5bc
cyc
a2 + 2bc
s
X 2a2 + 5b2 + 5c2
≤
cyc
2(a2 + b2 + c2 )
s
36(a2 + b2 + c2 )
≤
2(a2 + b2 + c2 )
√
= 3 2.

QED.

Problem 66

!
2 sin A sin B sin C 3 cos A cos B cos C Y A 3 X
P ≥ P 2A
+ 8 sin − cos A .
cyc sin A cyc cos cyc
2 2 cyc
We have
12R4 + 4r4 + 16Rr3 + 27R2 r2 + 12R3 r − (3R2 + 4r2 )s2
LHS−RHS = .
2R2 (6R2 − p2 + r2 + 4Rr)
12R4 + 4r4 + 16Rr3 + 27R2 r2 + 12R3 r − (3R2 + 4r2 )s2 ≥ 0
or
12R4 + 12R3 r + 27R2 r2 + 16Rr3 + 4r4
s2 ≤ .
3R2 + 4r2
Indeed, we see that
12R4 + 12R3 r + 27R2 r2 + 16Rr3 + 4r4

s2 ≤ 4R2 + 4Rr + 3r2 ≤ .
3R2 + 4r2
The last inequality
12R4 + 12R3 r + 27R2 r2 + 16Rr3 + 4r4

4R2 + 4Rr + 3r2 ≤
3R2 + 4r2
is equivalent to
R + 2r
2r2 (R − 2r) ≥ 0.
3R2 + 4r2
Which follows from Euler’s Inequality.
QED.

Problem 67
Let a, b, c ≥ 0 with bc + ca + ab = 4. Prove that

2 2 2 1 1 1 45
(a + b + c + 1) 2 2
+ 2 2
+ 2 2
≥ .
b +c c +a a +b 8
Let p = a + b + c, q = bc + ca + ab = 4, r = abc. Then p2 ≥ 3q = 12. Our

desired inequality is equivalent to
45(a2 + b2 + c2 )

2 2 2 1 1 1
(a + b + c ) 2 + + ≥
b + c2 c2 + a2 a2 + b2 8(a2 + b2 + c2 + 1)
2 2 2
a b c 21(a2 + b2 + c2 ) − 24
⇐⇒ 2 + + ≥ .
b + c2 c2 + a 2 a 2 + b2 8(a2 + b2 + c2 + 1)
Using Cauchy Schwarz, we obtain
a2 b2 c2 (a2 + b2 + c2 )2
+ + ≥ .
b2 + c2 c2 + a2 a2 + b2 b2 c2 + c2 a2 + a2 b2
(a2 + b2 + c2 )2 21(a2 + b2 + c2 ) − 24
≥
b2 c2 + c2 a2 + a2 b2 8(a2 + b2 + c2 + 1)
which is equivalent to
2p6 − 46p4 + 184p2 + 640 + 3pr(7p2 − 64) ≥ 0.
Observe that p2 ≥ 12 =⇒ 7p2 − 64 > 0. Thus, if p2 ≥ 16, then the

inequality is clearly true. Now, for 16 ≥ 2 ≥ 12, we have
2p6 − 46p4 + 184p2 + 640 + 3pr(7p2 − 64)

p2 (16 − p2 )(7p2 − 64)
≥ 2p6 − 46p4 + 184p2 + 640 +
3
(16 − p2 )(p2 − 12)(p2 − 10)
= ≥ 0.
3
Equality holds iff a = b = c = √2 , or a = b = 2, c = 0 and cyclic

3
permutations.
QED.

Problem 68
In cyclic quadrilateral ABCD, with area ∆ and circumradius R,

prove that
2 A
P
cyc tan 2 16R4
4 A
≤ .
∆2
P
cyc cos 2
Let h1 be the height of ∆ABD with base BD and h2 be the height of

∆CBD with base BD. We have BD = 2R sin A and h1 + h2 ≤ 2R, thus
A A
∆2 ≤ (2R2 sin A)2 = 16R2 sin2 cos2 .
2 2
Since, C = 180◦ − A, we obtain
C C A
∆2 tan2 = ∆2 cot2 ≤ 16R2 cos4 .
2 2 2
Building up analogous inequalities and suming all up yields the desired
result.
Equality holds iff ABCD is a square.
QED.

Problem 69
The angle bisectors of ∆ABC meet the sides BC, CA, AB at the
points D, E, F respectively. Prove that
EF 2 + F D2 + DE 2 ≥ 9r2 .
Weitzenbock’s Inequality on ∆DEF gives us

√
EF 2 + F D2 + DE 2 ≥ 4 3[DEF ].
Now, note that

bc bc
AE = , AF = .
c+a a+b
Thus,
1 bc∆
[AEF ] = AE · AF sin A = .
2 (c + a)(a + b)
We obtain similar expressions for [BF D] and [CDE]. Therefore,
2abc∆
[DEF ] = ∆ − ([AEF ] + [BF D] + [CDE]) = .
(b + c)(c + a)(a + b)
Use AM-GM to obtain

3
64s3

b+c+c+a+a+b
(b + c)(c + a)(a + b) ≤ = .
3 27
Now,
√ using the formulas abc = 4R∆, ∆ = rs and Mitrinovic’s Inequality,
(3 3R ≥ 2s) we obtain
√
27 2 2 3 3 2
[DEF ] ≥ · 8Rr s ≥ r .
64s3 4
Hence,
√
EF 2 + F D2 + DE 2 ≥ 4 3[DEF ] ≥ 9r2 .
QED.

Problem 70

A B C A B C 5
sin + sin + sin − 2 sin sin sin ≥ .
2 2 2 2 2 2 4
Popoviciu’s Inequality, tells us that function f is convex iff

f (x) + f (y) + f (z) x+y+z 2X y+z
+f ≥ f .
3 3 3 cyc 2
With equality iff x = y = z. But cos x is concave over x ∈ [0, π2 ]. Thus,

cos A + cos B + cos C A+B+C 2X B+C
+ cos ≤ cos .
3 3 3 cyc 2
But, since A + B + C = π, we have

A B C
cos A + cos B + cos C = 1 + 4 sin sin sin .
2 2 2
And
B+C π−A A
cos = cos = sin .
2 2 2
Hence, the desired inequality follows.
QED.

Problem 71

b+c c+a a+b R r
+ + ≤1+2 + .
a b c r R
Using Gerretsen’s Inequality, we obtain
b+c c+a a+b 2s(bc + ca + ab) − 3abc

+ + =
a b c abc
2s(s2 + r2 + 4Rr) − 12Rrs
=
4Rrs
s2 + r2 − 2Rr
=
4Rrs
4R2 + 4R2 + 2Rr
≤
4Rrs

R r
= 1+2 + .
r R

QED.

Problem 72
If (an )∞
n=1 denote an arithmetic progression with common dif-
ference d. If both a1 and d are positive, prove that
a2p a2q a2r
+ + ≥ 3.
aq+r ar+p ap+q
We clearly have an = a1 + (n − 1)d. So, am − an = (m − n)d.

Note that
a2p a2q a2r
+ + −3≥0
aq+r ar+p ap+q

a2p a2q a2r
⇐⇒ −1 + −1 + −1 ≥0
aq+r ar+p ap+q
X (2p − q − r)d
⇐⇒ −1 ≥0
cyc
aq+r
X p − q p − r
⇐⇒ d + ≥0
cyc
aq+r aq+r
X p − q p − q
⇐⇒ d + ≥0
cyc
aq+r ar+p
X (p − q)(ar+p − aq+r )
⇐⇒ d ≥0
cyc
aq+r ar+p
X (p − q)2
2
⇐⇒ d .
cyc
aq+r ar+p

Equality holds iff p = q = r.
QED.

Problem 73

Xp p
(1 + b2 )(1 + c2 ) ≥ 4 + (1 + a2 )(1 + b2 )(1 + c2 ).
cyc
Let a = tan A, b = tan B & c = tan C. Then the given condition implies
that A + B + C = π. Thus, we need to prove that
X
sec B sec C ≥ 4 + sec A sec B sec C
cyc
X
⇐⇒ cos A − 4 cos A cos B cos C ≥ 1.
cyc
Note that
Y s2 − r2 − 4Rr − 4R2
cos A = .
cyc
4R2
X R+r
cos A = .
cyc
R
s2 ≤ 4R2 + 5Rr + r2 .
s2 ≤ 4R2 + 4Rr + 3r2 . Indeed,
4R2 + 4Rr + 3r2 ≤ 4R2 + 5Rr + r2 ⇐⇒ 2r ≤ R.

QED.

Problem 74
Let a, b & c ∈ R+ , prove that
a4 + b3 c + c3 b ≥ abc(a + b + c).
2a
Let t = , then
b+c
a3 b2 + c2 4a3 (b + c)2
+ ≥ + .
bc a (b + c)2 2a
4a3 (b + c)2
2
+ ≥ a + b + c,
(b + c) 2a
or
2
t3 + ≥ t + 2,
t
(t2 + 2t + 2)(t − 1)2
⇐⇒ ≥ 0.
t
Equality holds iff 2a = b + c.
QED.

Problem 75
Let x, y & z ∈ R+ , prove that

x y z
√ +√ +√ ≥ 1.
yz + 4xy + 4xz zx + 4yz + 4yx xy + 4zx + 4zy
Since the inequality is homogenous, we may assume

without loss of generality that x + y + z = 1, then since f (x) = √1x has
5
f ′′ (x) = 34 x− 2 > 0, f is convex, by Weighted Jensen Inequality, we have
X x 1
√ ≥q P .
cyc
yz + 4xy + 4xz 4 cyc yz(y + z) + 3xyz

X
(x + y + z)3 ≥ 4 yz(y + z) + 3xyz
cyc
which is equivalent to
X
x3 + y 3 + z 3 + 3xyz ≥ yz(y + z).
cyc
Which is just Schur’s Inequality.

Equality holds iff x = y = z.
QED.

Problem 76

2
a b 32 c 14
+ + ≥ .
b+c c+a 9 a+b 9
Let a + b = m and look at

a b
+ .
b+c a+c
We can easily get by Chebyshev that it is minimal when a = b. Therefore,
we need to prove that
2a 32 c 2 14
+ ≥ .
a+c 9 2a 9
By multiplying everything with 9a2 (a + c), we get that this is equivalent
to
(a − 2c)2 (4a + 2c) ≥ 0.
Equality holds iff a = b = 2c.
QED.

Problem 77

a b c abc 3
+ + ≥ 2− (a + b + c) − .
b c a 2 2
We need to prove that

Xa
2 + 3 + abc(a + b + c) ≥ 4(a + b + c).
cyc
b
Now, by AM-GM
v
u P a 3
Xa u 2 b +3
4
u cyc
2 + 3 + abc(a + b + c) ≥ 4 t  abc(a + b + c)
cyc
b 3

Xa 3(a + b + c)
2 +3≥ √3
.
cyc
b abc

y z
without loss of generality that abc = 1, a = and b = , where
x y
x
x, y and z are positives. Thus, c = and we need to prove that
z
X
(2x3 + xyz − 3x2 y) ≥ 0
cyc
or
X X X
x3 + 3xyz − yz(y + z) + x(x − y)2 ≥ 0.
cyc cyc cyc

QED.

Problem 78

1 1 1 abc
2
+ 2
+ 2
≥1− .
(a + 1) (b + 1) (c + 1) 4
Since
1 1 1
2
+ 2
≥
(a + 1) (b + 1) ab + 1
and
abc abc2
≥ ,
4 (c + 1)2
it suffices to show that
1 abc2 + 1
+ ≥ 1,
ab + 1 (c + 1)2
(abc − 1)2
⇐⇒ ≥ 0.
(ab + 1)(c + 1)2
Which is obviously true.
QED.

Problem 79
R (b + c)(c + a)(a + b)
+1≥ .
2r 4abc
We rewrite this inequality as
R s2 + 2Rr + r2
+1≥ .
2r 8Rr
s2 ≤ 4R2 + 6Rr − r2 .
s2 ≤ 4R2 + 4Rr + 3r2 . Indeed,
4R2 + 4Rr + 3r2 ≤ 4R2 + 6Rr − r2 ⇐⇒ 2r ≤ R.

QED.

Problem 80
Let a, b & c ∈ R+ with bc + ca + ab = 3. Prove that

X b2 + c2 3(a + b + c − 1)
≥ .
cyc
b + c + 2 4
Let p = a + b + c, then p ≥ 3. Now, Titu’s Lemma gives us

X b2 + c2 p2
≥ .
cyc
b+c+2 p+3
p2 3(p − 1)
≥
p+3 4
⇐⇒ (p − 3)2 ≥ 0.
QED.

Problem 81
Let a, b & c ∈ R, prove that

bc + ca + ab
(a − 1)2 + (b − 1)2 + (c − 1)2 ≥ − 3.
2
Note that
bc + ca + ab ≤ a2 + b2 + c2 .
a2 + b2 + c2
(a − 1)2 + (b − 1)2 + (c − 1)2 ≥ −3
2
X X
⇐⇒ a2 + 12 ≥ a.
cyc cyc
Let p = a + b + c, then 3(a + b + c ) ≥ p2 . Thus, it remains to prove

2 2 2
that
p2
+ 12 ≥ 4p
3
⇐⇒ (p − 6)2 ≥ 0.
QED.

Problem 82

X b+c 3(a2 + b2 + c2 ) 9
p + ≥ .
cyc 2(b2 + c2 ) 2(bc + ca + ab) 2
p2
Let p = a + b + c, q = bc + ca + ab, x = p2 − 2q = a2 + b2 + c2 & y = .
q
Now, use Titu’s Lemma to obtain
X b+c 4(a + b + c)2
p ≥P p .
cyc 2(b2 + c2 ) 2 2
cyc (b + c) 2(b + c )
Use Cauchy Schwarz to obtain

! ! !2
X X X p
2 2 2 2 2
(b + c) 2(b + c ) ≥ (b + c) 2(b + c ) .
cyc cyc cyc
Thus,
X b+c 2p2
p ≥p .
cyc 2(b2 + c2 ) 2x(x + q)
2
2p2 2p4

3x 9 9 3x
p + ≥ ⇐⇒ ≥ −
2x(x + q) 2q 2 x(x + q) 2 2q
⇐⇒ 8p4 q 2 ≥ 9(p2 − 2q)(p2 − q)(p2 − 5q)2
⇐⇒ 117p6 + 855p2 q 3 ≥ 9p8 + 505p4 q 2 + 450q 4
855 450
⇐⇒ 117y + ≥ 9y 2 + 505 + 2
y y
⇐⇒ (y − 3)(150 − 235y + 90y 2 − 9y 3 ) ≥ 0.
′
Let f (y) = 150 − 235y + 90y 2 − 9y 3 then, it’s clear that f (y) > 0. Thus,
f is increasing. And since y ≥ 3, we have
f (y)min = f (3) > 0.
Hence, the desired result follows.

QED.

Problem 83

√
X√ 5
√
a(b2 3 c + c2 3 b)
√ √ ≥ 3.
cyc b5c+c5b
This is equivalent to
X a3 (b30 c5 + c30 b5 )
≥ 3.
cyc
b15 c3 + c15 b3
Which is true by Muirhead & AM-GM

X a3 (b30 c5 + c30 b5 )
cyc
b15 c3 + c15 b3
X a(b25 + c25 )
=
b12 + c12
cyc
√
X a b13 c13 (b12 + c12 )
≥
cyc
b12 + c12
X√
= b11 c11
cyc
≥ 3.

QED.

Problem 84
Let a, b, c & d ∈ R+ , prove that
a2 − bc b2 − cd c2 − da d2 − ab
+ + + ≥ 0.
2a + b + c 2b + c + d 2c + d + a 2d + a + b
We have
a2 − bc (a + b)2
= − b.
2a + b + c 2a + b + c
Now, use Titus’s Lemma to obtain
X a2 − bc
cyc
2a + b + c
X (a + b)2 X
= − a
cyc
2a + b + c cyc
X 4(a + b + c + d)2
≥ − (a + b + c + d)
cyc
4(a + b + c + d)
= 0.
Equality holds iff a = b = c = d.

QED.

Problem 85

X 2a2 − b2 − c2
≥ 0.
cyc
a2 + (b + c)2

without loss of generality that a ≥ b ≥ c. Then
a2 + (b + c)2 ≤ b2 + (c + a)2 ≤ c2 + (a + b)2 .
Now, use Chebyshev to obtain

!
X a2 a2 + b2 + c2 X 1
2 2
≥ .
cyc
a + (b + c) 3 cyc
a2 + (b + c)2

QED.

Problem 86
Let a, b & c ∈ R, prove that

Y
(a − b)4 (b − c)2 + (b − c)4 (c − a)2 + (c − a)4 (a − b)2 ≥ 5 (a − b)2 .
cyc

without loss of generality that a = min{a, b, c}, then let b = a + u
& c = a + v.
u4 (u − v)2 + (u − v)4 v 2 + v 4 u2 ≥ 5u2 v 2 (u − v)2

⇐⇒ u6 − 2u5 v + 2u4 v 2 − 4u3 v 3 + 7u2 v 4 − 4uv 5 + v 6
≥ 5u2 v 2 (u2 − 2uv + v 2 )
⇐⇒ u6 − 2u5 v − 3u4 v 2 + 6u3 v 3 + 2u2 v 4 − 4uv 5 + v 6 ≥ 0
⇐⇒ (u3 − u2 v − 2uv 2 + v 3 )2 ≥ 0.

QED.

Problem 87
3(a3 + b3 + c3 + abc) ≥ 4(a2 b + b2 c + c2 a).
We have
3(a3 + b3 + c3 + abc) − 4(a2 b + b2 c + c2 a)

X X
= (a3 − a2 b − a2 c + abc) + (2a3 − 3a2 b + ab2 )
cyc cyc
X X
= a(a − b)(a − c) + a(a − b)(2a − b)
cyc cyc
X X 1

= a(a − b)(a − c) + a(a − b)(2a − b) − (a3 − b3 )
cyc cyc
3
X 1X
= a(a − b)(a − c) + (a − b)2 (5a + b) ≥ 0.
cyc
3 cyc

QED.

Problem 88
(cos A + cos B + cos C)2 ≥ sin B sin C + sin C sin A + sin A sin B.
We have X r
cos A = 1 + .
cyc
R
X s2 + r2 + 4Rr
sin B sin C = .
cyc
4R2
4R2 + 4Rr + 3r2 ≥ s2 .
Which is just Gerretsen’s Inequality.

QED.

Problem 89

a b c
+ + ≤ 1.
4−b 4−c 4−a
We have
X a
≤1
cyc
4 − b
X 3a
⇐⇒ ≤1
cyc
4(a + b + c) − 3b
X a 1
⇐⇒ ≤
cyc
4a + b + 4c 3
X a2 + ab + ac a+b+c
⇐⇒ ≤
cyc
4a + b + 4c 3
X a2 + ab + ac a

a+b+c a+b+c
⇐⇒ − ≤ −
cyc
4a + b + 4c 4 3 4
X ab a+b+c
⇐⇒ ≤ .
cyc
4a + b + 4c 9
Now, use Cauchy Schwarz to obtain

X ab X ab 22 12

≤ +
cyc
4a + b + 4c cyc
9 4a + 2c 2c + b

1X 2ab ab
= +
9 cyc 2a + c 2c + b

1X 2ab bc
= +
9 cyc 2a + c 2a + c
a+b+c
= .
9
1
3
QED.

Problem 90

p
a2 + b2 + c2 8(b2 + c2 )(c2 + a2 )(a2 + b2 )
≥ .
bc + ca + ab (b + c)(c + a)(a + b)

without loss of generality that c = min{a, b, c}. Then,
a2 + b2 + c2 a2 + b2 + 2c2
≥
ab + bc + ca ab + bc + ca + c2
a2 + b2 + 2c2
=
(b + c)(c + a)
Therefore,
!2
a2 + b2 + 2c2 (a2 − b2 )2
=1+
4(b2 + c2 )(c2 + a2 )
p
2 (b2 + c2 )(c2 + a2 )
(a2 − b2 )2
≥1+
4(b2 + ab)(ab + a2 )
(a2 − b2 )2
≥1+
(a + b)4
2(a + b2 )
2
=
(a + b)2
p
a2 + b2 + 2c2 2(a2 + b2 )
⇐⇒ p ≥
2 (b2 + c2 )(c2 + a2 ) a+b
p
a2 + b2 + 2c2 8(b2 + c2 )(c2 + a2 )(a2 + b2 )
⇐⇒ ≥
(b + c)(c + a) (b + c)(c + a)(a + b)
p
a2 + b2 + c2 8(b2 + c2 )(c2 + a2 )(a2 + b2 )
=⇒ ≥ .
bc + ca + ab (b + c)(c + a)(a + b)

QED.

Problem 91
Let a, b, c, p & q ∈ R+ with abc = 1 and p ≥ q. Prove that

1 1 1
p a2 + b2 + c2 + q

+ + ≥ (p + q)(a + b + c).
a b c
P
Use AM-GM to obtain cyc a ≥ 3 and
X X X X
a2 = (a − 1)2 + 2 a−3≥ a.
cyc cyc cyc cyc
So,
X X1 X X
p a2 + q =p a2 + q ab
cyc cyc
a cyc cyc
X X
= (p − q) a2 + q (a2 + ab)
cyc cyc
X 1 X
2
= (p − q) a + q (a + b)2
cyc
2 cyc
2
P
X 1 4( cyc a)
≥ (p − q) a + q( )
cyc
2 3
X X
= (p − q) a + 2q a
cyc cyc
X
= (p + q) a.
cyc

QED.

Problem 92
Let a, b & c ∈ R+ with 0 ≤ a, b, c ≤ 2 Prove that
(a − b)(b − c)(a − c) ≤ 2.
We may assume without loss of generality that a ≥ b ≥ c. Let y = b −

c, x = a − b, then a = c + x + y and b = c + x. Then a ≤ 2 and
a = c + x + y ≥ x + y, which leads to
x + y ≤ 2.
So, we have
2
x+y
(a − b)(b − c)(a − c) = xy(x + y) ≤ (x + y) ≤ 2.
2
Equality holds iff x = y = 1, i.e. a = 2, b = 1, c = 0.

Problem 93
b2 c2 + c2 a2 + a2 b2
R2 ≥ .
3(a2 + b2 + c2 )
Note that
ma ≥ ha
√
2b2 + 2c2 − a2 bc
⇐⇒ ≥
2 2R
⇐⇒ R2 (2b2 + 2c2 − a2 ) ≥ b2 c2 .
Building up 2 analogous inequalities and adding all up yields the desired

result.
QED.

Problem 94

5 2
a3 + b3 + c3 + 2abc ≥ (a b + b2 c + c2 a).
3
Let p = a + b + c, q = bc + ca + ab & r = abc.


3 5 4 3
p − 3pq + 3r + 2r ≥ p −r
3 27
61 3 1
⇐⇒ p + 9r − 4pq + (pq − 9r) ≥ 0.
81 81
Which follows from Schur’s Inequality and AM-GM.
Equality holds iff a = b = c
QED.

Problem 95

r r r
bc ca ab
+ + ≥ 1.
8a + bc 8b + ca 8c + ab
Let bc = x, ca = y & ab = z.
Thus, by Holder’s Inequality
r
X bc
cyc
8a + bc
s √
X x x
= √ √
cyc
x x + 8 yz
v
u !2
√ P √ √ √
u Pq
x x
√ √ x x x x + 8 yz
u
u
u cyc x x+8 yz
cyc
=u P √ √ √
x x x x + 8 yz
t
cyc
v
u (x + y + z)3
≥ u
tP √ √ √ .
x x x x + 8 yz
cyc

X √
(x + y + z)3 ≥ (x3 + 8 xyz)
cyc
⇐⇒ 27(y + z)2 (z + x)2 (x + y)2 ≥ 64xyz(x + y + z)3
X X
⇐⇒ 27 y 2 z 2 (y 2 + z 2 )+54 y3 z3 ≥
cyc cyc
X X
3
10xyz x +30xyz yz(y + z) + 114x2 y 2 z 2 .
cyc cyc

QED.

Problem 96
4 − a2 4 − b2 4 − c2
+ + ≤ 3.
4 − ab 4 − bc 4 − ca
Rewrite this inequality as

X a2 − ab
≥ 0.
cyc
4 − ab
After expanding, we need to prove that

X X
(a3 bc2 − a2 b2 c2 ) + (16a2 + 4ab2 c − 16ab − 4a3 c) ≥ 0.
cyc cyc
The first sum is nonnegative by AM-GM. Let’s work with the second
one. After homogenization, it is equivalent to
X X
4(a3 b + b3 c + c3 a) + (a3 c + b3 a + c3 b) ≥ 4 b2 c2 + abc a.
cyc cyc

QED.

Problem 97

X 1 3(a + b + c)
p ≤ .
cyc (4b + c)(4c + b) 5(bc + ca + ab)
Note that
1 b+c
≤ ⇐⇒ 0 ≤ bc(b − c)2 .
2(b2 + 3bc + c2 )
p
(4b + c)(4c + b)
Therefore,
X 1 X b+c 3(a + b + c)
p ≤ 2 2
≤ .
cyc (4b + c)(4c + b) cyc
2(b + 3bc + c ) 5(ab + ac + bc)
Where the last inequality is equivalent to

X
(a5 b2 − a4 b3 + 4a5 bc + 6a4 b2 c − 9a3 b3 c − a3 b2 c2 ) ≥ 0.
cyc

QED.

Problem 98

a b c 3
√ +√ +√ ≥ .
3b2+ ab 2
3c + bc 2
3a + ca 2
Use AM-GM and Cauchy Schwarz to obtain

a b c
√ +√ +√
3b2
+ ab 2
3c + bc 2
3a + ca
4a 4b 4c
= p + p + p
2 4b(3b + a) 2 4c(3c + b) 2 4a(3a + c)
4a 4b 4c
≥ + +
7b + a 7c + b 7a + c
4(a + b + c)2
≥ 2
a + b2 + c2 + 7(ab + bc + ca)
3
≥ .
2
Where the last inequality is equivalent to
(b − c)2 + (c − a)2 + (a − b)2 ≥ 0.

QED.

Problem 99
Let a, b & c be nonzero real numbers with a3 + b3 + c3 = 0. Find

the minimum value of

1 1 1
(a + b + c) + + .
a b c
Clearly, the numbers a, b, c cannot be all positive

√ or all negative.
Without loss of generality, let a, b > 0 and c = − 3 a3 + b3 < 0 We set
x = a + b, y = ab and
" #
1 1 1 p3 3
x 1
f := (a + b + c) + + = [x − x − 3xy] − p .
a b c y 3
x3 − 3xy
Note that x3 − 3xy = (a + b)3 − 3ab(a + b) = a3 + b3 and x2 > 4y. Setting

1
x2 = k 3 y with k ≥ 4 3 , we have
h p i 1

3 2
2
f (k) = k − k − 3 k − √ .
k − 3 k2 − 3
Since, f is increasing, we have
1 1 2 4 2
fmin (k) = f (4 3 ) = (4 3 − 1)(4 3 − 1) = 5 − 2 3 − 2 3 .
1
Equality holds iff (a, b, c) = (z, z, −2 3 z) (where z is a nonzero real num-
ber) and cyclic permutations.
QED.

Problem 100
Let a & b ∈ R+ with a + b = 2. Prove that

4
ab a2 + b2 − ab ≤ .
3
Since we have a + b = 2, b = 2 − a. Substitute that into the LHS, we

have
LHS = a(2 − a)[a2 + (2 − a)2 − a(2 − a)]

= (2a − a2 )[a2 + 4 − 4a + a2 − 2a + a2 ]
= (2a − a2 )[3a2 − 6a + 4]
= −3a4 + 12a3 − 16a2 + 8a.
So
4
LHS − RHS = −3a4 + 12a3 − 16a2 + 8a −
3
4
= −3a4 + 6a3 − 2a2 + 6a3 − 12a2 + 4a − 2a2 + 4a −
3
1
= − (3a2 − 6a + 2)2 ≤ 0.
3
Which completes the proof.√ √

3+ 3 3− 3
Equality holds iff a = and b = or vice versa.
3 3
QED.

Important Notations, Theorem & Identities Used
In ∆ABC
• Sides: BC = a, CA = b, AB = c
• Semiperimeter: s
• Ravi Substitution: a = y + z, b = z + x, c = x + y
• Area: ∆
• Circumradius: R
• Inradius: r
• Exradii: ra , rb , rc
• Medians: ma , mb , mc
• Angle Bisectors: la , lb , lc
• Altitudes: ha , hb , hc
• Symmedians: sa , sb , sc
• abc = 4Rrs
• bc + ca + ab = s2 + r2 + 4Rr
• (b + c)(c + a)(a + b) = 2s3 + 2sr2 + 4Rrs

• Euler’s Inequality: R ≥ 2r
√ √
• Mitrinovic’s Inequality: 3 3R ≥ 2s ≥ 6 3r
• Tereshin’s Inequality: 4Rma ≥ b2 + c2
• Gerretsen’s Inequality: 16Rr − 5r2 ≤ s2 ≤ 4R2 + 4Rr + 3r2

A B C r
• sin sin sin =
2 2 2 4R
A B C A B C
• sin2 + sin2 + sin2 + 2 sin sin sin = 1
2 2 2 2 2 2
A B C r
• sin2 + sin2 + sin2 =1−
2 2 2 2R
bc
•
P
cyc =1
(ra + rb )(ra + rc )

1 2
•
P
cyc =
cos A + cos B cos C cos A + cos B + cos C − 1
s2 + r2 − 4R2
•
P
cyc cos B cos C =
4R2
r
• cos A + cos B + cos C = 1 +
R
6R2 + r2 + 4Rr − s2
• cos2 A + cos2 B + cos2 C =
2R2
s2 − r2 − 4Rr − 4R2
• cos A cos B cos C =
4R2
s
• sin A + sin B + sin C =
R
rs
• sin A sin B sin C =
2R2
s2 + r2 + 4Rr
•
P
cyc sin B sin C =
4R2
Thank You All!

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100 Inequality Problems

Maths Olympiad Preparation

4th April 2024

Problems & Solutions

Let a, b & c ∈ R+ . Prove that

(2a)(2a) (2b)(2b) (2c)(2c) ≥ (b + c)(b+c) (c + a)(c+a) (a + b)(a+b) .

Use Weighted AM-GM Inequality, to obtain

Let a, b & c ∈ R+ with a2 + b2 + c2 = 1. Prove that

a2 ln (1 + bc) b2 ln (1 + ca) c2 ln (1 + ab) 64

Equality holds iff a = b = c = √1 .