Proving $abcd\ge 3$ with $a, b, c, d>0$

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In summary, to prove the inequality $abcd\ge 3$ with $a, b, c, d>0$, one can use the AM-GM inequality by setting $a, b, c, d$ as a set of positive numbers and using the fact that $abcd$ is equal to the geometric mean of these numbers. An example of using this inequality to prove the statement is provided by setting $a=2, b=3, c=4, d=5$ and showing that $abcd=120$ is greater than or equal to $3$. While there are other methods to prove this inequality, such as using the Cauchy-Schwarz inequality or the concept of convex functions, the AM-GM
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Let $a,\,b,\,c$ and $d>0$ and $\dfrac{1}{1+a^4}+\dfrac{1}{1+b^4}+\dfrac{1}{1+c^4}+\dfrac{1}{1+d^4}=1$. Prove that $abcd\ge 3$.
 
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Let $a^2=\tan \alpha,\,b^2=\tan \beta,\,c^2=\tan \gamma,\,d^2=\tan \delta$. Then $\cos^2 \alpha+\cos^2 \beta+\cos^2 \gamma+\cos^2 \delta=1$. By the AM-GM inequality,

$\sin^2 \alpha=\cos^2 \beta+\cos^2 \gamma+\cos^2 \delta \ge 3(\cos \beta \cos \gamma \cos \delta)^{\small \dfrac{2}{3}}$

Multiplying this and three other similar inequalities, we have

$\sin^2 \alpha \sin^2 \beta \sin^2 \gamma \sin^2 \delta=81\cos^2 \alpha \cos^2 \beta \cos^2 \gamma \cos^2 \delta$

Consequently we get $abcd=\sqrt{\tan \alpha \tan \beta \tan \gamma \tan \delta}\ge 3$
 

FAQ: Proving $abcd\ge 3$ with $a, b, c, d>0$

How can you prove that $abcd\ge3$ with $a, b, c, d>0$?

To prove that $abcd\ge3$, we can use the AM-GM inequality, which states that the arithmetic mean of a set of positive numbers is always greater than or equal to the geometric mean of the same set of numbers. Since $a, b, c, d>0$, we can write the inequality as $\frac{a+b+c+d}{4}\ge\sqrt[4]{abcd}$. By substituting $3$ for the right side of the inequality, we get $\frac{a+b+c+d}{4}\ge3$, which simplifies to $a+b+c+d\ge12$. Since $a, b, c, d>0$, this inequality is true, and therefore $abcd\ge3$.

Can you provide an example to illustrate the proof?

Yes, let's take the numbers $a=2, b=3, c=4, d=1$. We can see that all these numbers are positive, and when we calculate their arithmetic mean, we get $\frac{2+3+4+1}{4}=2.5$. The geometric mean of these numbers is $\sqrt[4]{2\times3\times4\times1}=2.83$. According to the AM-GM inequality, the arithmetic mean is greater than or equal to the geometric mean, so $2.5\ge2.83$. This can also be written as $a+b+c+d\ge12$, which satisfies the condition for $abcd\ge3$.

Is the AM-GM inequality the only way to prove $abcd\ge3$?

No, there are other methods to prove this inequality, such as using the Cauchy-Schwarz inequality or the Rearrangement inequality. However, the AM-GM inequality is the simplest and most commonly used method to prove $abcd\ge3$ with $a, b, c, d>0$.

What are the applications of proving $abcd\ge3$?

The inequality $abcd\ge3$ has many applications in mathematics and science. For example, it can be used to prove other important inequalities, such as the Power Mean inequality and the Cauchy-Schwarz inequality. It is also used in optimization problems and in proving other theorems in various fields of mathematics.

Are there any exceptions to the inequality $abcd\ge3$?

Yes, there are some exceptions to this inequality. For example, if one of the variables $a, b, c, d$ is equal to $0$, then the inequality does not hold. Additionally, if any of the variables are negative, then the inequality may not hold. However, as long as all the variables are positive, the inequality $abcd\ge3$ will always hold true.

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