IMC 2010 · Problem 2

Day 217th IMC · Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria

Statement

Let a0,a1,…,ana_0, a_1, \dots, a_n be positive real numbers such that ak+1−ak≥1a_{k+1} - a_k \ge 1 for all k=0,1,…,n−1k = 0, 1, \dots, n-1. Prove that

1+1a0(1+1a1−a0)⋯(1+1an−a0)≤(1+1a0)(1+1a1)⋯(1+1an).1 + \frac{1}{a_0}\left( 1 + \frac{1}{a_1 - a_0} \right) \cdots \left( 1 + \frac{1}{a_n - a_0} \right) \le \left( 1 + \frac{1}{a_0} \right)\left( 1 + \frac{1}{a_1} \right) \cdots \left( 1 + \frac{1}{a_n} \right).

Official solution

Hidden so you can work on the problem first.