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We know that $$0\leq a \leq b \leq c\leq d\leq e\,\,\text{ and}\,\, a + b + c + d + e = 100$$. What would be the least possible value of $\,\,a + c + e\,\,$ ?

I apologize for poor syntax.

1 Answers 1

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$$2(a+c+e) =a+a+c+c+e+e \geq a+b+c+d+e =100$$

With equality if and only if $a=0$, $b=c$ and $d=e$.

  • 1
    Just bound the first $a$ by 0 (from below).2012-06-14
  • 0
    would this be the least value possible?2012-06-14
  • 0
    i apologise for the duplicates!2012-06-14
  • 1
    Equivalently, $a+c+e \ge 0 + b + d$ so $a+c+e \ge \frac{100}{2} = 50$ with equality iff...2012-06-14