Prove that \[\frac{1}{3}n^2 + \frac{1}{2}n + \frac{1}{6} \geq (n!)^{\frac{2}{n}},\] and let $n \geq 1$ be an integer. Prove that this inequality is only possible in the case $n = 1.$
Problem
Source: IMO LongList 1967, Bulgaria 2
Tags: factorial, Inequality, IMO Shortlist, IMO Longlist
14.11.2004 03:32
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14.11.2004 12:25
TRIVIAL. A formula, more than well-known and more than straightforward to prove, states that $1^2+2^2+...+n^2 = \frac13 n^3 + \frac12 n^2 + \frac16 n$. Hence, $\frac13 n^2 + \frac12 n + \frac16 = \frac{\frac13 n^3 + \frac12 n^2 + \frac16 n}{n} = \frac{1^2+2^2+...+n^2}{n}$. On the other hand, $\left(n!\right)^{\frac{2}{n}} = \sqrt[n]{\left(n!\right)^2} = \sqrt[n]{\left(1\cdot 2\cdot ...\cdot n\right)^2} = \sqrt[n]{1^2\cdot 2^2\cdot ...\cdot n^2}$. Hence, the inequality we have to prove transforms into $\frac{1^2+2^2+...+n^2}{n} \geq \sqrt[n]{1^2\cdot 2^2\cdot ...\cdot n^2}$, what is clear from the AM-GM inequality. Equality holds only if the numbers $1^2$, $2^2$, ..., $n^2$ are all equal, what is only possible for n = 1. Darij
16.06.2019 11:34
Sorry for bumping an old thread, but I wanted to post another solution
15.08.2023 00:30
We have that $1^2+2^2+...+n^2 = \frac13 n^3 + \frac12 n^2 + \frac16 n$, which can be proved here. Now $\frac13 n^2 + \frac12 n + \frac16 = \frac{1^2+2^2+...+n^2}{n}$, now by AM-GM (which can be proved here) we get that $\frac{1^2+2^2+...+n^2}{n} \ge \sqrt[n]{1^2\cdot 2^2\cdot ...\cdot n^2}.$ again sorry for bumping