Problem

Source: IMO Shortlist 1995, A3

Tags: inequalities, algebra, n-variable inequality, IMO Shortlist



Let $ n$ be an integer, $ n \geq 3.$ Let $ a_1, a_2, \ldots, a_n$ be real numbers such that $ 2 \leq a_i \leq 3$ for $ i = 1, 2, \ldots, n.$ If $ s = a_1 + a_2 + \ldots + a_n,$ prove that \[ \frac{a^2_1 + a^2_2 - a^2_3}{a_1 + a_2 - a_3} + \frac{a^2_2 + a^2_3 - a^2_4}{a_2 + a_3 - a_4} + \ldots + \frac{a^2_n + a^2_1 - a^2_2}{a_n + a_1 - a_2} \leq 2s - 2n.\]