# Homework Help: Calculous proof question

1. Feb 27, 2010

### talolard

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
Let f be a function from R to R such that $$f'(x)>f(x), f(0)=1$$ for every x. prove that for every $$x>0 f(x)>e^x$$

3. The attempt at a solution
From the given information we know that $$f'(0) \geq 0$$ and so $$f'(x) \geq 0$$

define $$h(x) = f(x)-e^x$$
so h(0) =0

$$h'(x)=f'(x) -e^x = lim_{h ->0 } \frac {f(x+h)-f(x)}{h} -e^x= lim_{h ->0 } \frac {f(x+h)-f(x) -he^x}{h}= lim_{h ->0 } \frac {f(x+h)-f(x) -0}{h} = f'(x) \geq 0$$

Then h(x) is montonous rising and so is never smaller then zero. thus $$f(x) \geq e^x$$

Is this correct?

Thanks
Tal

Last edited: Feb 27, 2010
2. Feb 27, 2010

### snipez90

Well you seemed to have defined f(0) = 0, so that h(0) = -1...

3. Feb 27, 2010

### talolard

oops. I made a typo, that was supposed to be f(0)=1. Fixed in the original post.
Thanks

4. Feb 27, 2010

### snipez90

OK cool. Even though you have the right idea, the second to last equality in your main derivation cannot be justified, since you are taking the limit of some term in the numerator of a quotient which is a serious violation of the limit laws (basically you need to know all limits in the the numerator and denominator exist before you can perform such operations).

My advice would be to consider g(x) = f(x)/e^x instead and show g is increasing. At no point should you need to resort to the definition of the derivative.

5. Feb 27, 2010

### talolard

That seems much simpler:
Just to make sure i got it right:
h(x) = $$\frac {f(x)}{e^x}, h(0)=1$$
$$h'(x)= \frac {f'(x)e^x -f(x)e^x}{e^(2x)} \geq 0$$ because f'(x)>f(x)
Thanks
Tal

6. Feb 27, 2010

### snipez90

That's fine. Notice the last inequality is in fact strict, which only helps you I guess.

7. Feb 27, 2010

### talolard

Thanks alot. Much apreciated