Problem of the Week

Solution.

First we can factor a+a3 −a4 −a6 = (a)(1+a2 )(1−a3 ) = (a)(1+a2 )(1−a)(1+
a + a2 ). Note that for a ≤ 0 or a ≥ 1, our polynomial is not positive and thus
1
satisfies the inequality. For 0 < a < 1, lets consider 1−a −(a)(1+a2 )(1+a+a2 ).
∞
1 X
−(a)(1+a2 )(1+a+a2 ) = an −a−a2 −2a3 −a4 −a5 = 1−a3 +a6 +... > 0
1−a n=0

We know this is greater than 0 since a3 < 1 for our interval. So now we can
say
1
a + a3 − a4 − a6 = (a)(1 + a2 )(1 − a)(1 + a + a2 ) < (1 − a) = 1.
1−a
Therefore the inequality is satisfied for all real numbers.

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