IMO 1974 · Problem 5

Determine all possible values of \[ S=\frac{a}{a+b+d}+\frac{b}{a+b+c}+\frac{c}{b+c+d}+\frac{d}{a+c+d} \] where \(a,b,c,d\) are arbitrary positive numbers.

Official text of the problem. Official problem paper (PDF)

Answer

\[ \boxed{1<S<2} \] Every real number in this open interval is attained.

Solution

Put \(T=a+b+c+d\). Each denominator in the definition of \(S\) is strictly less than \(T\), so \[ S>\frac aT+\frac bT+\frac cT+\frac dT=1. \] On the other hand, positivity gives \[ \begin{aligned} S &<\frac{a}{a+b}+\frac{b}{a+b} +\frac{c}{c+d}+\frac{d}{c+d}\\ &=2. \end{aligned} \] Thus every possible value lies in \((1,2)\).

We now prove that every value in this interval occurs. For \(0<t<1\), fix \[ a=1,\qquad b=d=t, \] and regard \(S\) as the continuous function \[ F_t(c)=\frac{1}{1+2t}+\frac{2t}{1+t+c}+\frac{c}{2t+c}, \qquad c>0. \] At \(c=t^2\), \[ F_t(t^2)=\frac{1}{1+2t} +\frac{2t}{1+t+t^2} +\frac{t}{2+t} \longrightarrow 1 \quad\text{as }t\to0^+. \] At \(c=1\), \[ F_t(1)=\frac{2}{1+2t}+\frac{2t}{2+t} \longrightarrow 2 \quad\text{as }t\to0^+. \]

Let \(s\) be any number with \(1<s<2\). These limits allow us to choose \(t\in(0,1)\) sufficiently small that \[ F_t(t^2)<s<F_t(1). \] By the intermediate value theorem, some \(c\in(t^2,1)\) satisfies \(F_t(c)=s\). All four variables are positive, so this is an admissible choice.

Consequently, the set of possible values is exactly \((1,2)\).

The solution was checked against John Scholes' IMO solution archive (Kalva).