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Printjmc
algebra senior
Problem
Let be the sides of a triangle. Find the set of all possible values of
Solution
By AM-HM, Then so Hence, so Equality occurs when This inequality is satisfied for all positive real numbers and and is known as Nesbitt's Inequality.
Now, since are the sides of a triangle, Then so Therefore, Similarly, Adding these inequalities, we get Let so Furthermore, if we let and approach 1, and let approach 0, then approaches Thus, can be made arbitrarily close to 2, so the possible values of are
Now, since are the sides of a triangle, Then so Therefore, Similarly, Adding these inequalities, we get Let so Furthermore, if we let and approach 1, and let approach 0, then approaches Thus, can be made arbitrarily close to 2, so the possible values of are
Final answer
\left[ \frac{3}{2}, 2 \right)