Mathematical Enigma - VIII

Algebra Level 1

Let x , y x,y be positive reals such that x + y = 2 x+y =2 , find the maximum value of x 3 y 3 ( x 3 + y 3 ) x^{3}y^{3}(x^{3}+y^{3}) .


The answer is 2.

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7 solutions

Eamon Gupta
Oct 30, 2015

We can simplify the function:

x 3 y 3 ( x 3 + y 3 ) x^3y^3(x^3+y^3)

= ( x y ) 3 ( x + y ) ( x 2 x y + y 2 ) (xy)^3(x+y)(x^2-xy+y^2)

= ( x y ) 3 ( x + y ) ( ( x + y ) 2 3 x y ) (xy)^3(x+y)((x+y)^2-3xy)

We know from the question that x + y = 2 x+y=2 :

= ( x y ) 3 2 ( 4 3 x y ) (xy)^3 \cdot 2 \cdot (4-3xy)

= ( x y ) 3 ( 8 6 x y ) (xy)^3 \cdot (8-6xy)

x + y = 2 y = 2 x x+y=2 \Rightarrow y=2-x

Hence we can write the function x y xy as x ( 2 x ) x(2-x) = 2 x 2 2-x^2

f ( x ) = 2 x 2 f(x) = 2-x^2 \Rightarrow The maximum of the function is when f ( x ) = 0 f'(x) = 0 because it is a negative quadratic

f ( x ) = 2 2 x = 0 f'(x) = 2-2x=0 \Rightarrow Hence the maximum value of the function is when x = 1 x=1

So the maximum value of the function = x y = 1 ( 2 1 ) = 1 = xy =1(2-1) = 1

We can now substitute the maximum into the original equation:

( 1 ) 3 ( 8 6 ( 1 ) ) (1)^3 \cdot (8-6(1))

= 1 2 1 \cdot 2

= 2 \boxed{2}

So 2 \boxed{2} is the maximum value of the function.

A nice solution. Congratulation. Up voted.

Niranjan Khanderia - 5 years, 7 months ago

" The maximum of the function is when f '(x) = 0." It can also be minimum?

Niranjan Khanderia - 5 years, 7 months ago

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Yes, thanks for pointing it out. I've edited it now to say it is the maximum becuase it is a negative quadratic.

Eamon Gupta - 5 years, 7 months ago

f ( x ) = x 3 ( 2 x ) 3 ( x 3 + ( 2 x ) 3 ) . f ( x ) = f ( x ) { 3 x 2 x 3 3 ( 2 x ) 2 ( 2 x ) 3 + 3 x 2 3 ( 2 x ) 2 x 3 + ( 2 x ) 3 } = 0. f ( x ) = 3 f ( x ) { 1 x 1 2 x + 4 4 x 6 x 2 + 12 x 8 } = 0 f ( x ) = 3 f ( x ) { 1 x ( 2 x ) 1 3 x 2 6 x + 4 } { 2 2 x } = 0 Since x,y>0, for minimum value 0f the function is x=0, x=1 is maximum. f ( x ) = 1 1 ( 1 + 1 ) = 2 f(x)=x^3*(2-x)^3*(x^3 + (2-x)^3).\\ \therefore~f '(x)=f(x) \left \{\dfrac {3x^2}{x^3} - \dfrac{3(2 - x)^2}{(2-x)^3} +\dfrac {3x^2 - 3(2 - x)^2}{x^3 + (2 - x)^3} \right \}= 0. \\ \therefore~f '(x)=3*f(x)*\left \{ \dfrac 1 x -\dfrac 1 {2 - x } + \dfrac{4 - 4x}{- 6x^2+12x - 8} \right \}=0\\ \therefore~f '(x)=3*f(x)*\left \{ \dfrac 1 {x(2 - x) } - \dfrac 1{3x^2 - 6x +4} \right \}*\color{#3D99F6}{\{2-2x \}}=0\\ \text{Since x,y>0, for minimum value 0f the function is x=0, x=1 is maximum. }\\ \therefore~f(x)=1*1*(1+1)= \Large ~~~~~~\color{#D61F06}{2}

Moderator note:

When using a calculus approach, you should be careful to cover all bases

  • Always remember to check the 2nd derivative test to see if you have a maximum, minimum or inflection point.
  • Since we have an open interval, we are not guaranteed to have a maximum value. Thus we need to verify that the local max is indeed a global max.

You need to prove that it's a maximum value.

Pi Han Goh - 5 years, 7 months ago

Thanks . I will see to it. In this problem, second derivative is very complicated. Any suggestion for a better approach ?

Niranjan Khanderia - 5 years, 7 months ago

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Nope. It's going to be tedious. Best approach is via AM GM.

Pi Han Goh - 5 years, 7 months ago

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Thank you.

Niranjan Khanderia - 5 years, 7 months ago

Seriously you are using calculus on this!!!!!!

Magnas Bera - 1 year, 12 months ago
Naman Gupta
Oct 30, 2015

G i v e n t h a t x + y = 2 U s i n g t h e A M G M I n e q u a l i t y x + y 2 x y 2 1 x y H e n c e t h e m a x i m u m V a l u e o f x y i s 1. N o w b y s i m p l i f y i n g ( x 3 y 3 ) ( x 3 + y 3 ) W e g e t ( x y ) 3 ( x + y ) ( x 2 + y 2 x y ) ( x y ) 3 ( x + y ) [ ( x + y ) 2 3 x y ] N o w p u t t i n g t h e v a l u e s i n t h e e q u a t i o n w e g e t ( x 3 y 3 ) ( x 3 + y 3 ) = 2 Given\quad that\quad x+y=2\\ Using\quad the\quad AM\quad GM\quad Inequality\quad \\ \frac { x+y }{ 2 } \ge \sqrt [ 2 ]{ xy } \\ \Rrightarrow \quad 1\quad \ge \quad xy\\ Hence\quad the\quad maximum\quad Value\quad of\quad xy\quad is\quad 1.\\ Now\quad by\quad simplifying\quad ({ x }^{ 3\quad }{ y }^{ 3 })({ x }^{ 3 }+{ y }^{ 3 })\\ We\quad get\quad { (xy) }^{ 3 }(x+y)({ x }^{ 2 }+{ y }^{ 2 }-xy)\\ \Rrightarrow \quad { (xy) }^{ 3 }(x+y){ [(x+y) }^{ 2 }-3xy]\\ Now\quad putting\quad the\quad values\quad in\quad the\quad equation\quad we\quad get\\ ({ x }^{ 3\quad }{ y }^{ 3 })({ x }^{ 3 }+{ y }^{ 3 })=\quad 2

Moderator note:

This solution is incorrect. It ignores the impact of 3 x y - 3xy .

Great. Up voted.

Niranjan Khanderia - 5 years, 7 months ago

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Either many have got luck or many have talents, this INMO problem has now become level 1!

Swapnil Das - 5 years, 7 months ago

Why the max of the final expression is obtain when xy is at max? The term -3xy seems to have a negative impact.

Miki Miki - 4 years ago

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That is right. Though the answer is right but I don't think that the process is proper.

Prayas Rautray - 3 years, 11 months ago
Wq Y
Jun 17, 2018

x 3 y 3 ( x 3 + y 3 ) x^3y^3(x^3+y^3)

= ( x y ) 3 ( x + y ) ( x 2 x y + y 2 ) (xy)^3(x+y)(x^2-xy+y^2)

= ( x y ) 3 2 ( 4 3 x y ) (xy)^3 \cdot 2 \cdot (4-3xy)

Applying the AM-GM,we have:

( x y ) ( x y ) ( x y ) ( 4 3 x y ) ( x y + x y + x y + 4 3 x y 4 ) ) 4 (xy) \cdot (xy) \cdot (xy) \cdot (4-3xy) \le (\frac{xy+xy+xy+4-3xy}{4}))^4 =1

Then x 3 y 3 ( x 3 + y 3 ) 2 1 = 2 x^3y^3(x^3+y^3) \le 2 \cdot 1=2

Prayas Rautray
Sep 23, 2017

In all the solution they have found greatest value of xy. All have ignored -3xy has a negative impact, to make the product greatest. I don't think that the process is correct. I have a better solution.
x+y=2=>x=1+k and y=1-k
So the expression becomes
2-2k⁴(3k⁴-8k²+6), after substitution.
Now, k is positive. Also 3k⁴-8k²+6 can be considered as a quadratic polynomial, if k²=p. It's lowest value is 0.666... (using the method of completing the square). Hence the maximum value of expression is when k=0. At that value of k the value of the expression is 2, which is it's maximum value.



@Susant Rautray , we really liked your comment, and have converted it into a solution. If you subscribe to this solution, you will receive notifications about future comments.

Brilliant Mathematics Staff - 3 years, 8 months ago

Thanks a lot!!! How can I subscribe to comments ?

Prayas Rautray - 3 years, 8 months ago

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If you're using Brilliant on the computer, then the "subscribe" button is next to the Edit button at the bottom left corner.

Brilliant Mathematics Staff - 3 years, 8 months ago
Harish Nani
Nov 8, 2015

Given that x+y=2 for maximum value apply AM greter than GM then we get xy=1 substituting in equation( xy^3 )(x^3+y^3)= 1×(x+y)(x^2+y^2 -xy )=1×2×((x+y)^2)-3xy)=1×2×(4-3)=2 So answer is 2

Moderator note:

This solution is incorrect. It ignores the impact of 3 x y - 3xy .

Subham Chatterjee
Oct 30, 2015

Take cube both sides then put the value that is give u have equation (8-6x³y³)x³y³, if we put the value of x and y =1then we easily get the ans.

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