Negating x^2 + y^2 > 0 for All x,y

  • Context: Undergrad 
  • Thread starter Thread starter Caldus
  • Start date Start date
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around how to correctly formulate the negation of the mathematical statement "For all x > 0, x^2 + y^2 > 0 for all y." Participants explore different interpretations and formulations of the negation, focusing on the logical structure and implications of the original statement.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that the negation could be "There exists x ≤ 0 such that x^2 + y^2 ≤ 0 for one y value."
  • Another participant refines this to "There exists one x > 0 such that x^2 + y^2 ≤ 0 for one y," arguing that the original statement does not mention x < 0.
  • A further reformulation is proposed: "There exist one x > 0 and one y such that x^2 + y^2 ≤ 0."
  • One participant expresses uncertainty about the correctness of their previous statements, indicating a potential misunderstanding of the original problem.
  • There is a clarification that the negation is indeed "For all x greater than 0, there exists a y > 0 such that x^2 + y^2 ≤ 0," which is noted to be false.
  • Participants acknowledge that the negation accurately reflects the logical structure of the original statement, despite its falsehood.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the best formulation of the negation, with multiple competing views and interpretations presented throughout the discussion.

Contextual Notes

Some formulations may depend on specific interpretations of the quantifiers and the conditions applied to x and y, leading to variations in the proposed negations.

Caldus
Messages
106
Reaction score
0
How do I write the negation of:

For all x > 0, x^2 + y^2 > 0 for all y.

I thought it might be this:

There exists x < or = to 0 such that x^2 + y^2 < or = to 0 for one y value.

Thanks.
 
Physics news on Phys.org


Originally posted by Caldus
How do I write the negation of:

For all x > 0, x^2 + y^2 > 0 for all y.

I thought it might be this:

There exists x < or = to 0 such that x^2 + y^2 < or = to 0 for one y value.

Thanks.

I think that was close but not exact, it is:

There exist one x > 0 such that x^2+y^2 < or = 0 for one y.

The thing is that there is no statement about x < 0. So that there must be no statement for x <0 in the negation.

******************

Maybe an better formulation (and equivalent) of the problem is:

How do I write the negation of:

For all x>0 and for all y, x^2 + y^2 > 0.

Result:

There exist one x>0 and there one y such that x^2 + y^2 <= 0.

*********************

I hope it did help...
 
Whoops, I did that wrong. The actual statements are (for the problem, not the solution):

For every x >0, x^2 + y^2 > 0 for all y.

Close enough I guess?
 
[tex]\forall x>0 \exists y>0 \] s.t. \[ x^2+y^2 \leq 0[/tex]
 
Originally posted by NateTG
[tex]\forall x>0 \exists y>0 \] s.t. \[ x^2+y^2 \leq 0[/tex]

What is that in English? Thanks.
 
What is that in English? Thanks.
"For all x greater than 0, there exist a y> 0

such that [tex]x^2+ y^2\leq0[/tex]"

(It is, by the way, false.)
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Right, but it is the negation of the statement he made.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
830
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
4K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K