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Linear AlgebraSuperchallengeSymmetric Matrices & Quadratic Forms

Symmetric Matrices & Quadratic Forms · Superchallenge problem

Five real numbers x1,…,x5x_1, \ldots, x_5 sit around a circle, with x12+x22+x32+x42+x52=1x_1^2 + x_2^2 + x_3^2 + x_4^2 + x_5^2 = 1. Find the maximum of (x1−x2)2+(x2−x3)2+(x3−x4)2+(x4−x5)2+(x5−x1)2(x_1 - x_2)^2 + (x_2 - x_3)^2 + (x_3 - x_4)^2 + (x_4 - x_5)^2 + (x_5 - x_1)^2.