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I am having trouble with this problem from my latest homework.

Prove the arithmetic-geometric mean inequality. That is, for two positive real numbers $x,y$, we have $$ \sqrt{xy}≤ \frac{x+y}{2} .$$ Furthermore, equality occurs if and only if $x = y$.

Any and all help would be appreciated.

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    One way is the following. Let $\sqrt{x} = a$ and $\sqrt{y} = b$. Substitute for $x$ and $y$ in terms of $a$ and $b$. Collect all the terms together on the right side, and factor. Do you recognize a familiar inequality?2011-09-15

5 Answers 5