AM-GM for Multiple Positive Numbers

Rarely Tested

AM-GM for Multiple Positive Numbers

## Formula

For positive numbers $a_1,a_2,\ldots,a_n$:

$$\frac{a_1+a_2+\cdots+a_n}{n}\ge\sqrt[n]{a_1a_2\cdots a_n}$$

Equality holds when:

$$a_1=a_2=\cdots=a_n$$

Therefore:

$$\sum_{k=1}^{n}a_k\ge n\sqrt[n]{\prod_{k=1}^{n}a_k}$$

## Usage

- Used to find extrema of expressions involving sums and products of positive quantities.

Question 1

In a G.P., if the product of the first three terms is 27 and the set of all possible values for the sum of its first three terms is $$\text{R-(a,b)}$$, then $$a^{2}+b^{2}$$ is equal to______

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