# $(a+2)^3+(b+2)^3+(c+2)^3 \ge 81$ while $a+b+c=3$

I need to show that $(a+2)^3+(b+2)^3+(c+2)^3 \ge 81$ while $a+b+c=3$ and $a,b,c > 0$ using means of univariate Analysis.

It is intuitively clear that $(a+2)^3+(b+2)^3+(c+2)^3$ is at its minimum (when $a+b+c=3$) if $a,b,c$ have "equal weights", i.e. $a=b=c=1$.

To show that formally one can firstly fix $0<c \le 3$, introduce a variable $0\le\alpha\le1$ and express $a$ and $b$ through $\alpha$

$$a= \alpha(3-c)$$ $$b=(1-\alpha)(3-c)$$

Then we minimize $(a+2)^3+(b+2)^3+(c+2)^3$ w.r.t $\alpha$ treating $c$ as a parameter. We get $\alpha=\frac{1}{2}(3-c)$. Further we maximize $(a+2)^3+(b+2)^3+(c+2)^3$ one more time w.r.t. $c$.

That is quite tedious. I am wondering whether their is a more elegant way. Probably using idea of norms. Basically we need to show that $\lVert(a,b,c)+(2,2,2)\rVert_3 \ge (81)^{1/3}$ while $\lVert(a,b,c)\rVert_1=3$ and $a,b,c>0$.

Let $f(x) = x^3$ is a convex function. Using Jenson we get : $$\frac{f(a+2)+f(b+2)+f(c+2)}{3} \geq f(\frac{a+b+c+6}{3})=f(3)=27$$

• Maybe do you nean to say Jensen? – Michael Rozenberg Aug 20 '16 at 12:09

Because $(a+2)^3+(b+2)^3+(c+2)^3\geq\frac{1}{9}(a+2+b+2+c+2)^3=81$.

• Why this inequality is true? – Sergey Zykov Aug 20 '16 at 12:02
• @Sergey Zykov It's Power Means, which you wish. Also it's Holder $(1+1+1)(1+1+1)(x^3+y^3+z^3)\geq(x+y+z)^3$. – Michael Rozenberg Aug 20 '16 at 12:04
• Could you be please so kind to show in my detail why your inequality follows form Hölder? – Sergey Zykov Aug 20 '16 at 12:21
• Because $(1+1+1)(1+1+1)((a+2)^3+(b+2)^3+(c+2)^3)\geq(a+2+b+2+c+2)^3=729$. – Michael Rozenberg Aug 20 '16 at 12:24
• sorry to bother your further, but I do not see Hölder in there. – Sergey Zykov Aug 20 '16 at 12:58

Alternately, here's a hint $$(x+2)^3-27 -27(x-1) =(x-1)^2(x+8)\geqslant 0$$