If a,b > 0, c >= a+b, then log a + log b <= 2 log c - 2. Proof: (a-b)^2 >= 0 [a square is always nonnegative] (a-b)^2 + 4ab >= 4ab [add 4ab to both sides] a^2-2ab+b^2 + 4ab = a^2+2ab+b^2 = (a+b)^2 >= 4ab [expanding, factoring] Aside: (a+b)^2 / 4 >= ab => (a+b)/2 >= sqrt(ab) is the AM-GM inequality: the arithmetic mean is at least the geometric mean. (a+b)^2 >= 4ab log((a+b)^2) >= log(4ab) [log is monotonic increasing] 2 log(a+b) >= log 4 + log a + log b [various log properties] 2 log c >= 2 log(a+b) >= 2 + log a + log b [c >= a+b] log a + log b <= 2 log c - 2 [rearranging]