Let $latex n\ge 3$ be an integer and $latex a_1,a_2,\cdots a_n$ be real numbers satisfying $latex 1<a_2\le a_2\le a_3\cdots \le a_n$. If $latex \Sigma_ia_i=2n$ then prove that $latex 2+a_1+a_1a_2+a_1a_2a_3+\cdots +a_1a_2\cdots a_{n-1}\le a_1a_2\cdots a_n$.

The conditions hint at inequalities involving an order, such as the rearrangement and Chebychev inequalities. Also note that $latex a_i=2$ for all $latex i$ is an equality case, hence we should try to use inequalities in such a way that matches the equality case.

The RHS can be rewritten as $latex a_1a_2\cdots a_n= a_1a_2\cdots a_n-a_1a_2\cdots a_{n-1}+a_1a_2\cdots a_{n-1}-a_1a_2\cdots a_{n-2}+a_1a_2\cdots a_{n-2}\cdots -a_1+a_1=a_1a_2\cdots a_{n-1}(a_n-1)+a_1a_2\cdots a_{n-2}(a_{n-1}-1)+\cdots+ a_1(a_2-1)+a_1$. That is, $latex a_1a_2\cdots a_n-1= a_1a_2\cdots a_n-a_1a_2\cdots a_{n-1}+a_1a_2\cdots a_{n-1}-a_1a_2\cdots a_{n-2}+a_1a_2\cdots a_{n-2}\cdots -a_1+a_1=a_1a_2\cdots a_{n-1}(a_n-1)+a_1a_2\cdots a_{n-2}(a_{n-1}-1)+\cdots+ a_1(a_2-1)+(a_1-1)$.

Now Chebychev inequality gives $latex \frac{a_1a_2\cdots a_n-1}{n}= \frac{a_1a_2\cdot a_{n-1}(a_n-1)+a_1a_2\cdot a_{n-2}(a_{n-1}-1)+\cdots+ a_1(a_2-1)+(a_1-1)}{n}\ge \frac{1+a_1+a_1a_2+\cdots +a_1a_2\cdots a_{n-1}}{n}\cdot\frac{(a_1-1+a_2-1+\cdots +a_n-1)}{n}=\frac{1+a_1+a_1a_2+\cdots +a_1a_2\cdots a_{n-1}}{n}$. Cancelling the denominators, we get the desired result.

Get Started with Math Olympiad Program