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Let x, y, z be positive real numbers with x + y + z = 12. Find the…

Question

Let x, y, z be positive real numbers with x + y + z = 12. Find the minimum possible value of 9/x + 16/y + 25/z.

✓ Verified answer: 12checked by our engine — not a guess

Step-by-step solution

By the Cauchy-Schwarz inequality in Engel (Titu) form, 9/x + 16/y + 25/z = 3^2/x + 4^2/y + 5^2/z >= (3+4+5)^2/(x+y+z) = 144/12 = 12.
Equality holds when 3/x = 4/y = 5/z, i.e.
x:y:z = 3:4:5, giving x=3, y=4, z=5 (sum 12), which lies in the feasible region.

Hence the minimum is 12.

Final answer12

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