Maximization of multivariable function $ M = \frac{a+1}{a^{2}+ 2a+2} + \frac{b+1}{b^{2}+ 2b+2} + \frac{c+1}{c^{2}+ 2c+2}$ subject to constraint This is purely out of curiosity. I have this set of a high school entrance Math exam in Vietnam (a special high school for gifted kids, the exam was held 3 days ago, maybe 4, taking into account the time zone). Here's one question that I've been stuck with:

With $a, b, c$ $\in \mathbb{R}^{+}$ such that $ab + bc + ca + abc =2$, find the max of

$ M = \frac{a+1}{a^{2}+ 2a+2} + \frac{b+1}{b^{2}+ 2b+2} + \frac{c+1}{c^{2}+ 2c+2}$

I'm just curious what kind(s) of techniques these junior high students can use, since as far as I remember when I was at that age, calculus and derivatives aren't taught until high school.
The functional form of $M$ suggests us to change variable to $u = a+1, v = b+1, w = c + 1$.
In terms of them, the expression of $M$ simplifies to

$$M = \frac{u}{1+u^2} + \frac{v}{1+v^2} + \frac{w}{1+w^2}$$

The constraint $abc + ab + bc + ca = 2$ can be rewritten as

$$(a+1)(b+1)(c+1) - (a+b+c) - 1 = 2\quad\iff\quad u + v + w - uvw = 0$$

Since $a,b,c &gt; 0$, $u,v,w \in (1,\infty)$. Pick $A, B, C \in (\frac{\pi}{4},\frac{\pi}{2})$ such that $u = \tan A$,$v = \tan B$ and $w = \tan C$.
The constraint tell us
$$\tan(A+B+C) = \frac{u+v+w - uvw}{1 - uv - vw - wu} = 0
\quad\implies\quad A+B+C = k\pi, \quad k \in \mathbb{Z}
$$
Since $A + B + C \in (\frac{3\pi}{4}, \frac{3\pi}{2})$, $k$ equals to $1$
and  $A + B + C = \pi$. 

In terms of $A,B,C$, the expression we want to maximize becomes

$$M = \frac{\tan A}{1+\tan^2 A} + \frac{\tan B}{1+\tan^2 B} + \frac{\tan C}{1+\tan^2 C} = \frac12 \left[ \sin(2A) + \sin(2B) + \sin(2C) \right]$$

This is nothing but the area of triangle inscribed inside unit circle with
angles $2A$, $2B$ and $2C$ subtended at center. It is well known for such triangles, the one which maximize the area is an equilateral triangle. This implies $M$ is maximized when 

$$A = B = C = \frac{\pi}{3} \implies a = b = c = \tan\frac{\pi}{3} - 1 = \sqrt{3} - 1$$

and the maximum value of $M$ is $\displaystyle\;\frac{3}{2}\sin\frac{2\pi}{3} = \frac{3\sqrt{3}}{4}$.
Here Laplace multipliers, derivatives and gradients do not exist. Only multiplying and checking if something simplifies.

In this case, symmetry for simplifying the problem into:
$$
\mathcal{M}: 3{x+1 \over x^2+2x+2}\\
st. x^3+3x^2=2
$$

This holds because every term on the function is a sum of independent terms. In here symmetry is not a false friend.

Which reduces to finding the positive roots of $x^3+3x^2-2=0$. We do not know to solve a cubic equation, so we only can guess to break the polynomial. Our first guess is $x=-1$. Broken:
$$
(x^3+x^2+2x^2+2x-2x-2)/(x+1)=x^2+2x-2 
$$

And the others two are given by, yes, we know how to solve that already:
$$
x=\frac 12 (-2\pm\sqrt{4+8})=-1\pm \sqrt{3}
$$

Hence the only positive solution is $x=\sqrt{3}-1=a=b=c$ and $M=3{\sqrt{3}\over 3+1-2\sqrt{3}+2\sqrt{3}-2+2}=3{\sqrt{3}\over 4}\sim 1.3$.

What if they are not equal?. Suppose $a=b=1,c=x$:
$$
\mathcal{M}: \frac45+{x+1 \over x^2+2x+2}\\
st. 3x=2
$$
then$x=2/3$ and $M=\frac45+{2/3+1 \over 4/9+4/3+2}=\frac45+{15 \over 34}\sim 1.2&lt;1.3$

Yes, symmetry here helps, and the solution is a maximum.