How does Remmert derive the Cauchy-Schwarz Inequality in complex functions?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on Reinhold Remmert's derivation of the Cauchy-Schwarz Inequality in the context of complex functions, specifically as presented in his book "Theory of Complex Functions." Participants are examining the mathematical steps and reasoning involved in the derivation, particularly focusing on the scalar product and absolute value in complex numbers.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions the validity of the argument that $$\langle i w, z \rangle^2 \ge 0$$ and expresses concern about the inequality $$2uxvy > (v^2 x^2 + u^2 y^2)$$ potentially affecting the derivation.
  • Another participant asserts that the inner product $$\langle w,z\rangle$$ is real, thus its square must be non-negative, and provides a reformulation of $$\langle i w, z \rangle^2$$ as $$ (vx-uy)^2 \geqslant 0$$.
  • Several participants discuss the implications of the derived equation $$\langle w, z \rangle^2 + \langle i w, z \rangle^2 = |w|^2 |z|^2$$ and how it leads to the conclusion that $$\langle w, z \rangle^2 \le |w|^2 |z|^2$$, but they note that this does not fully establish the Cauchy-Schwarz Inequality.
  • One participant emphasizes that the argument only demonstrates "half" of the Cauchy-Schwarz Inequality and requests a complete proof, particularly addressing the negative side of the inequality.
  • A later reply states that if $$\langle w,z\rangle^2 \leqslant |w|^2|z|^2$$, then taking the positive square root leads to $$|\langle w,z\rangle| \leqslant |w||z|$$, which is a step towards establishing the inequality.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the sufficiency of the derivation steps for proving the Cauchy-Schwarz Inequality. There is no consensus on whether the presented arguments fully resolve the inequality, indicating ongoing debate and exploration of the topic.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight potential limitations in the assumptions made during the derivation and the need for clarity in demonstrating the complete form of the Cauchy-Schwarz Inequality, particularly regarding the negative bounds.

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I am reading Reinhold Remmert's book "Theory of Complex Functions" ...

I am focused on Chapter 0: Complex Numbers and Continuous Functions ... and in particular on Section 1.3: Scalar Product and Absolute Value ... ...

I need help in order to fully understand Remmert's derivation of the Cauchy-Schwartz Inequality ...

The start of Remmert's section on Scalar Product and Absolute Value reads as follows:

View attachment 8545

In the above text by Remmert we read the following:

" ... ... Routine calculations immediately reveal the identity

$$ \langle w, z \rangle^2 + \langle i w, z \rangle^2 = \mid w \mid^2 \mid z \mid^2$$ for all $$w,z \in \mathbb{C} $$

which contains as a special case the

Cauchy-Schwarz Inequality

$$\mid \langle w, z \rangle \mid \le \mid w \mid \mid z \mid$$ ... ...

... ... ... "
Now ... although it doesn't quite ft the language of a "special case" ...

... if $$\langle i w, z \rangle^2 \ge 0$$ ... then ... we could argue that ...$$\langle w, z \rangle^2 \le \mid w \mid^2 \mid z \mid^2$$ ... ...Is that the right move?... BUT ... can we be sure that ..

... $$\langle i w, z \rangle^2 = (v^2 x^2 - 2uxvy + u^2 y^2 ) \ge 0 $$ where we have $$w = u + iv$$ and $$z = x + iy$$ ...

... We have to worry that it might be the case that $$2uxvy \gt (v^2 x^2 + u^2 y^2 )$$ ...

... problem with suggested move above! ...Can some please clarify ... and indicate how to show that

$$\langle w, z \rangle^2 + \langle i w, z \rangle^2 = \mid w \mid^2 \mid z \mid^2$$

$$\Longrightarrow \mid \langle w, z \rangle \mid \le \mid w \mid \mid z \mid$$ ... ...
Hope that someone can help ...

Peter
 

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Peter said:
can we be sure that ..

... $$\langle i w, z \rangle^2 = (v^2 x^2 - 2uxvy + u^2 y^2 ) \ge 0 $$ where we have $$w = u + iv$$ and $$z = x + iy$$ ...

... We have to worry that it might be the case that $$2uxvy \gt (v^2 x^2 + u^2 y^2 )$$ ...
The inner product $\langle w,z\rangle$ is by definition real, so its square must necessarily be positive (or zero). In fact, $$\langle i w, z \rangle^2 = (v^2 x^2 - 2uxvy + u^2 y^2 ) = (vx-uy)^2 \geqslant 0 $$.
 
Opalg said:
The inner product $\langle w,z\rangle$ is by definition real, so its square must necessarily be positive (or zero). In fact, $$\langle i w, z \rangle^2 = (v^2 x^2 - 2uxvy + u^2 y^2 ) = (vx-uy)^2 \geqslant 0 $$.
Thanks for the help, Opalg ...

Peter
 
Opalg said:
The inner product $\langle w,z\rangle$ is by definition real, so its square must necessarily be positive (or zero). In fact, $$\langle i w, z \rangle^2 = (v^2 x^2 - 2uxvy + u^2 y^2 ) = (vx-uy)^2 \geqslant 0 $$.

I have just become aware that the argument:

$$ \langle w, z \rangle^2 + \langle i w, z \rangle^2 = \ \mid w \mid^2 \mid z \mid^2$$ for all $$w,z \in \mathbb{C} $$

$$\Longrightarrow$$ $$\langle w, z \rangle^2 \le \ \mid w \mid^2 \mid z \mid^2$$

$$\Longrightarrow$$ $$\langle w, z \rangle \ \le \ \mid w \mid \mid z \mid$$does not show that $$\mid \langle w, z \rangle \mid \ \le \ \mid w \mid \mid z \mid $$

... since

... ... $$\mid \langle w, z \rangle \mid \ \le \ \mid w \mid \mid z \mid$$

$$\Longrightarrow - \mid w \mid \mid z \mid \ \le \ \mid \langle w, z \rangle \mid \ \le \ \mid w \mid \mid z \mid$$... so ... effectively we have only shown "half" of the Cauchy-Schwarz Inequality ...Can someone please demonstrate a full proof of the inequality ... preferably demonstrating that $$- \mid w \mid \mid z \mid \ \le \ \mid \langle w, z \rangle \mid$$ ...Peter
 
Last edited:
Peter said:
I have just become aware that the argument:

$$ \langle w, z \rangle^2 + \langle i w, z \rangle^2 = \ \mid w \mid^2 \mid z \mid^2$$ for all $$w,z \in \mathbb{C} $$

$$\Longrightarrow$$ $$\langle w, z \rangle^2 \le \ \mid w \mid^2 \mid z \mid^2$$

$$\Longrightarrow$$ $$\langle w, z \rangle \ \le \ \mid w \mid \mid z \mid$$does not show that $$\mid \langle w, z \rangle \mid \ \le \ \mid w \mid \mid z \mid $$

... since

... ... $$\mid \langle w, z \rangle \mid \ \le \ \mid w \mid \mid z \mid$$

$$\Longrightarrow - \mid w \mid \mid z \mid \ \le \ \mid \langle w, z \rangle \mid \ \le \ \mid w \mid \mid z \mid$$... so ... effectively we have only shown "half" of the Cauchy-Schwarz Inequality ...Can someone please demonstrate a full proof of the inequality ... preferably demonstrating that $$- \mid w \mid \mid z \mid \ \le \ \mid \langle w, z \rangle \mid$$ ...
If $a$ and $b$ are real numbers, then $a^2\leqslant b^2$ always implies $|a|\leqslant |b|$ (because $(-a)^2 = a^2 = |a|^2$).

In this case, if $\langle w,z\rangle^2 \leqslant |w|^2|z|^2$, then taking the positive square root of both sides it follows that $|\langle w,z\rangle| \leqslant |w||z|$.
 

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