IMO $2001$ problem $2$

algebra-precalculuscontest-mathholder-inequalityinequalityproof-explanation

Let $a,b,c \in \mathbb{R}_+^*$. Prove that $$\frac{a}{\sqrt{a^2+8bc}} + \frac{b}{\sqrt{b^2+8ca}}+ \frac{c}{\sqrt{c^2+8ab}} \geqslant 1.$$

I tried to follow the proposed solution for this which depended on Hölder's inequality, but I'm a bit confused about how they came up with the expression. How I remember Hölder's is that it states that $$\sum_{i=1}^n |x_iy_i| \leqslant (\sum_{i=1}^n|x_i|^p)^{1/p}(\sum_{i=1}^n|y_i|^q)^{1/q}$$

and we need the same Conjugate property as in Young's inequality $\frac{1}{p} + \frac{1}{q} =1.$

What they had was $$(\sum \frac{a}{\sqrt{a^2+8bc}})(\sum \frac{a}{\sqrt{a^2+8bc}})(\sum a(a^2+8bc)) \geqslant (a+b+c)^3.$$

From here it was quite straightforward, but any clarification on how we can get this result from Hölder's would be appreciated.

Best Answer

The Holder's inequality for two sequences it's the following.

Let $a_1$, $a_2$,..., $a_n$, $b_1$, $b_2$,..., $b_n$, $\alpha$ and $\beta$ be positive numbers. Prove that: $$(a_1+a_2+...+a_n)^{\alpha}(b_1+b_2+...+b_n)^{\beta}\geq$$$$\geq\left(\left(a_1^{\alpha}b_1^{\beta}\right)^{\frac{1}{\alpha+\beta}}+\left(a_2^{\alpha}b_2^{\beta}\right)^{\frac{1}{\alpha+\beta}}+...+\left(a_n^{\alpha}b_n^{\beta}\right)^{\frac{1}{\alpha+\beta}}\right)^{\alpha+\beta}.$$

For positives $a$, $b$ and $c$ by Holder we obtain: $$\left(\sum_{cyc}\frac{a}{\sqrt{a^2+8bc}}\right)^2\sum_{cyc}a(a^2+8bc)\geq$$ $$\geq\left(\sum_{cyc}\sqrt[3]{\left(\frac{a}{\sqrt{a^2+8bc}}\right)^2a(a^2+8bc)}\right)^3=(a+b+c)^3.$$ In our case $n=3$, $\alpha=2$ and $\beta=1$.