MathDB
Coefficients from -1 and +1

Source: France TST 2014 P5

June 14, 2014
inequalities proposedinequalities

Problem Statement

Let nn be a positive integer and x1,x2,,xnx_1,x_2,\ldots,x_n be positive reals. Show that there are numbers a1,a2,,an{1,1}a_1,a_2,\ldots, a_n \in \{-1,1\} such that the following holds: a1x12+a2x22++anxn2(a1x1+a2x2++anxn)2a_1x_1^2+a_2x_2^2+\cdots+a_nx_n^2 \ge (a_1x_1+a_2x_2 +\cdots+a_nx_n)^2