Problem

Source: IMO ShortList 1991, Problem 25 (USA 1)

Tags: Sequence, Inequality, inequality system, algebra, IMO Shortlist



Suppose that $ n \geq 2$ and $ x_1, x_2, \ldots, x_n$ are real numbers between 0 and 1 (inclusive). Prove that for some index $ i$ between $ 1$ and $ n - 1$ the inequality \[ x_i (1 - x_{i+1}) \geq \frac{1}{4} x_1 (1 - x_{n})\]