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Let
a1 , a2 , . . . , an be positive real numbers. Prove that
Solution, by Omran Kouba (Higher Institute for Applied Sciences and Technology, Damascus, Syria).
This proves the desired inequality, and shows that equality occures if and only if a1 = a2 = = an .
Omran KOUBA
H.I.A.S.T
P.O.B. 31983
Damascus, Syria.
e-mail : omran kouba@hiast.edu.sy
or : kouba.omran@gmail.com
1
Problem 1803. Proposed by Michael W. Botsko, Saint Vincent College, Latrobe, PA. Let (X, , ) be a
real inner product space, and let
B = {x X : ||x|| 1}
be the unit ball in X, where ||x|| = x, x. Let f : B B be a function satisfying ||f (x) f (y)|| ||x y||
for all x, y B. Prove that the set of xed points of f is convex.
Solution, by Omran Kouba (Higher Institute for Applied Sciences and Technology, Damascus, Syria).
Let F = {x B : f (x) = x} be the set of xed points of f . The set F is closed since f is continuous. So to
2 F for all x, y F .
prove that F is convex, it is enough to show that x+y
x+y
Now, let us consider x and y from F , and let z denote 2 . Clearly,
1
||f (z) x|| = ||f (z) f (x)|| ||z x|| = ||y x||,
2
and
1
||f (z) y|| = ||f (z) f (y)|| ||z y|| = ||y x||.
2
Now, using the parallelogram identity, we have
2
x + y 1 1
4f (z)
2 2 2 2
+ ||x y|| = 2||f (z) x|| + 2||f (z) y|| ||y x|| + ||y x||
2
2 2 2
2
that is 4||f (z) z|| 0. We conclude that f (z) = z, i.e. z F . This ends the proof.
Remarks.
1. The conclusion holds also in complex inner product spaces with the same proof.
2. The set of xed points of f might be empty. For example, Let X denote the space R[T ] of real polynomials
1
in the unknown T , equipped with the inner product , dend by P, Q = 0 P (t)Q(t)dt, and let f (P ) =
2 (1 + T P (T )). Clearly, if P B then
1
1 1
||f (P )|| (1 + ||T P (T )||) (1 + ||P ||) 1,
2 2
this proves that f denes a function from B to B. On the other hand, if P and Q are two polynomials from
B then
1 1
||f (P ) f (Q)|| = ||T (P (T ) Q(T ))|| ||P Q|| ||P Q||.
2 2
Now, if there exists a xed point R of f , then the substitution T = 2 in the equality R(T ) = 12 + 21 T R(T )
leads to the contradiction 12 = 0.
3. Of course, if X is a Hilbert space then the set of xed points of f is not empty, by the well-known theorem
of Browder.
Omran KOUBA
H.I.A.S.T
P.O.B. 31983
Damascus, Syria.
e-mail : omran kouba@hiast.edu.sy
or : kouba.omran@gmail.com