Can someone check proof for |sin x-cos x|≤√2

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SUMMARY

The proof that |sin x - cos x| ≤ √2 for all x is established through the manipulation of trigonometric identities. The left-hand side (LHS) is expressed as √(sin² x - 2sin x cos x + cos² x), utilizing the identity sin² x + cos² x = 1. By substituting 2sin x cos x with sin(2x), the LHS simplifies to √(1 - sin(2x), which oscillates between 0 and √2, confirming the inequality. An alternative proof method involves expressing sin x - cos x in the form Rsin(x - θ), which is considered more elegant.

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  • Understanding of trigonometric identities, specifically sin² x + cos² x = 1
  • Familiarity with the sine double angle formula, sin(2x) = 2sin x cos x
  • Knowledge of manipulating inequalities in mathematical proofs
  • Ability to express trigonometric functions in alternative forms, such as Rsin(x - θ)
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cambo86
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I'm not confident with my proofs and was wondering if someone could just check this one.

Show that |sin x-cos x|≤√2 for all x.

Attempt:
LHS = |sin x-cos x|
=√(sin x-cos x)2
=√(sin2 x - 2sin x cos x + cos2 x)
since sin2 x + cos2 x=1, and 2sin x cos x = sin(2x)
LHS = √(1 - sin(2x))
since sin(2x) oscilates between -1 and 1, LHS oscilates between 0 and √2
∴LHS ≤ √2
 
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cambo86 said:
I'm not confident with my proofs and was wondering if someone could just check this one.

Show that |sin x-cos x|≤√2 for all x.

Attempt:
LHS = |sin x-cos x|
=√(sin x-cos x)2
=√(sin2 x - 2sin x cos x + cos2 x)
since sin2 x + cos2 x=1, and 2sin x cos x = sin(2x)
LHS = √(1 - sin(2x))
since sin(2x) oscilates between -1 and 1, LHS oscilates between 0 and √2
∴LHS ≤ √2

The idea is sound, although I would have expressed the last part more formally starting with [itex]-1 \leq \sin 2x \leq 1[/itex], then manipulating that with the rules of inequalities to give the desired bounds.

BTW, another way to do the proof is to express [itex]\sin x - \cos x[/itex] in the form [itex]R\sin(x - \theta)[/itex] (where [itex]R[/itex] and [itex]\theta[/itex] are to be found). I prefer this method, as it's more elegant.
 

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