Derivation of Cauchy-Schwarz Inequality

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the derivation of the Cauchy-Schwarz inequality, specifically focusing on the algebraic steps involved in transitioning between various forms of inequalities related to the dot product of vectors. Participants explore the geometric interpretation of the dot product and the implications of absolute value inequalities.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express confusion about the transition from the inequality ##-|v||w| ≤ v \cdot w ≤ |v||w|## to ##|v \cdot w| ≤ |v||w|##, questioning the algebraic steps involved.
  • Others clarify that the geometric definition of the dot product, ##u \cdot v = |u| |v| \cos(\theta)##, is relevant to understanding these inequalities.
  • Participants discuss the implications of multiplying inequalities by positive values, particularly in relation to the cosine function and its bounds.
  • Some participants reference the definition of absolute value inequalities, suggesting that if ##-b \leq a \leq b##, then it follows that ##|a| \leq b##.
  • There are inquiries about the derivation of these definitions and whether they are universally accepted or found in standard mathematical texts.
  • One participant raises a point about the generality of taking absolute values on both sides of inequalities, noting that this does not always hold true.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the clarity of the derivation steps or the acceptance of certain definitions. Multiple viewpoints and interpretations of the inequalities and their implications remain present throughout the discussion.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express uncertainty about the derivation of certain mathematical principles and definitions, indicating a reliance on external sources for clarification. The discussion includes references to geometric interpretations and definitions that may not be universally understood by all participants.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for students and individuals interested in understanding the nuances of vector mathematics, particularly in relation to the Cauchy-Schwarz inequality and the properties of absolute values in inequalities.

member 731016
For this,
1679289109955.png

I don't understand how they got from (1) to (2)? Dose someone please know what binary operation allows for that?

I also don't understand how they algebraically got from line (2) to (3).

Many thanks!
 

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jedishrfu said:
They used the geometric definition of vector dot product which is:

##u \cdot v = |u| |v| cos(\theta)## where its understood that ##\theta## is the angle between u and v

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dot_product
Thank you for your reply @jedishrfu !

Sorry if I was not clear. How did they go from ## -|v||w| ≤ v \cdot w ≤ |v||w| ## be equal to ##|v \cdot w| ≤ |v||w|##? The textbook dose not show any immediate steps.

I also don't know what allowed them to multiply all of ##-1 ≤ \cos\theta ≤ 1## by ##|v||w| ## to get line (2).

Many thanks!
 
Callumnc1 said:
Sorry if I was not clear. How did they go from ## -|v||w| ≤ v \cdot w ≤ |v||w| ## be equal to ##|v \cdot w| ≤ |v||w|##? The textbook dose not show any immediate steps.
Try it the other way. What does ##|x|\leq a## tell you about the range of allowed values for ##x##?
Callumnc1 said:
I also don't know what allowed them to multiply all of ##-1 ≤ \cos\theta ≤ 1## by ##|v||w| ## to get line (2).
If one number (e.g. ##\cos\theta##) is less than another (e.g. ##1##) and I multiply both by some positive value (e.g. ##|v||w|##), do you think the product with the smaller value (##|v||w|\cos\theta##) could ever be larger than the product with the larger value (##1|v||w|##)?
 
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Ibix said:
Try it the other way. What does ##|x|\leq a## tell you about the range of allowed values for ##x##?
Thank you for your reply @Ibix!

The range of allowed values of x have to such that their abs is less than or equal to a.

Many thanks!
 
Ibix said:
If one number (e.g. ##\cos\theta##) is less than another (e.g. ##1##) and I multiply both by some positive value (e.g. ##|v||w|##), do you think the product with the smaller value (##|v||w|\cos\theta##) could ever be larger than the product with the larger value (##1|v||w|##)?
Thank you for your reply @Ibix!

No I don't think so.

Many thanks!
 
Callumnc1 said:
##-|v||w| ≤ v \cdot w ≤ |v||w| ## be equal to ##|v \cdot w| ≤ |v||w|##?

By definition, if ## -b \leq a \leq b ## then we write this as ## |a| \leq b##
 
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malawi_glenn said:
By definition, if ## -b \leq a \leq b ## then we write this as ## |a| \leq b##
Thank you for your reply @malawi_glenn! Sorry, where did you read that is true? I am not sure where it is derived from. I have never seen that before sorry.

Many thanks!
 
Callumnc1 said:
Thank you for your reply @malawi_glenn! Sorry, where did you read that is true? I am not sure where it is derived from. I have never seen that before sorry.

Many thanks!
Any math textbook on pre calc should cover this

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Absolute_value

And it is not derived it is a definition, a way of writing more compact
 
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  • #11
Callumnc1 said:
Thank you for your reply @malawi_glenn! Sorry, where did you read that is true? I am not sure where it is derived from. I have never seen that before sorry.
Draw a number line. Mark ##0## and ##\pm b##. What region of this line can ##a## lie in if ##|a|\leq b##? What region can it lie in if ##-b\leq a\leq b##?
 
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  • #12
Ibix said:
Draw a number line. Mark ##0## and ##\pm b##. What region of this line can ##a## lie in if ##|a|\leq b##? What region can it lie in if ##-b\leq a\leq b##?
Thank you for your reply @lbix ! I will do some thinking. Many thanks!
 
  • #13
If ##-b \le a \le b##, then ##a \le b## and ##-b \le a## (or, ##-a \le b##). So ##\pm a \le b##. Since ##|a|## is either ##a## or ##-a##, then ##|a| \le b##.
 
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  • #14
Euge said:
If ##-b \le a \le b##, then ##a \le b## and ##-b \le a## (or, ##-a \le b##). So ##\pm a \le b##. Since ##|a|## is either ##a## or ##-a##, then ##|a| \le b##.
Thank you for your reply @Euge!

Could you also equally just take the absolute value of the of both sides of the inequality ##\pm a \le b## instead of using the definition of absolute value? This would give ##|a| \le |b|##

Many thanks!
 
  • #15
Callumnc1 said:
Could you also equally just take the absolute value of the of both sides of the inequality ##\pm a \le b## instead of using the definition of absolute value? This would give ##|a| \le |b|##
In general, the inequality ##a \le b## does not imply ##|a| \le |b|##. For example, ##-2 \le 1## but ##|-2| > |1|## since ##|-2| = 2## and ##|-1| = 1##.
 
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