basil32
Dec31-11, 07:02 AM
1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
Prove that |x| = sqrt(x^2)
3. The attempt at a solution
I've written two proofs but I don't know if they can be justified as real proofs or whether they are valid or not.
Proof 1:
\surd x^{2} = \surd \vert x \vert ^{2} = \vert x \vert
Proof 2:
First Case ) Suppose x \geq 0 then \surd x^{2} = x = \vert x \vert
Second Case ) Suppose x < 0 then \surd x^{2} = -x where -x > 0 therefore -x = \vert x \vert
Prove that |x| = sqrt(x^2)
3. The attempt at a solution
I've written two proofs but I don't know if they can be justified as real proofs or whether they are valid or not.
Proof 1:
\surd x^{2} = \surd \vert x \vert ^{2} = \vert x \vert
Proof 2:
First Case ) Suppose x \geq 0 then \surd x^{2} = x = \vert x \vert
Second Case ) Suppose x < 0 then \surd x^{2} = -x where -x > 0 therefore -x = \vert x \vert