A Proof of Liu's Conjecture on the Fundamental Triangle Inequality

Abstract

Let $a,b,c$ be the side lengths of a triangle, and let $R$ and $r$ denote its circumradius and inradius, respectively. Liu proposed the conjecture \[ \sum_{\text{cyc}} \left(\frac{a(b+c-a)}{bc}\right)^k \ge 2+\left(\frac{2r}{R}\right)^k,\qquad k>1, \] with the reverse inequality for $k<1$. We prove this conjecture by reducing it to an algebraic inequality for three positive variables with prescribed sum and product. We also determine the equality cases.