Minimum value of $(x + 2y)(y + 2z)(xz + 1)$ when $xyz=1$

contest-mathinequalitymaxima-minimamultivariable-calculusoptimization

Let $x,$ $y,$ and $z$ be positive real numbers such that $xyz = 1.$ Find the minimum value of
$$(x + 2y)(y + 2z)(xz + 1).$$


I am pretty sure this problem either uses AM-GM or Rearrangement Inequality, but I don't know how to solve it. Can anyone give me a hint?

Best Answer

Using the AM-GM inequality we have that :

$(x+2y)\geq 2 \sqrt{2xy}$

$(y+2z)\geq 2 \sqrt{2yz}$

$(xz+1)\geq 2 \sqrt{xz}$

Then $(x+2y) (y+2z) (xz+1) \geq 8 \sqrt{4 (xyz)^2}\implies (x+2y)(y+2z)(xz+1) \geq 16$