Problem 1802. Proposed by Dorin Marghidanu, Colegiul National A. I. Cuza, Corabia, Romania.

Let
a1 , a2 , . . . , an be positive real numbers. Prove that

a21 a21 a2n1 a2n a1 + a2 + + an

+ + + + .
a1 + a2 a1 + a2 an1 + an an + a1 2

Solution, by Omran Kouba (Higher Institute for Applied Sciences and Technology, Damascus, Syria).

Let an+1 = a1 . Clearly we have,

n (
)2 1
n n n
ak ak + ak+1 a2k
= ak + (ak + ak+1 )
ak + ak+1 2 ak + ak+1 4
k=1 k=1 k=1 k=1
n
a2k 1
n
= ak .
ak + ak+1 2
k=1 k=1

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

4f (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