# Math proof homework problem

1. Jan 24, 2008

How do I prove that: ?

2. Jan 24, 2008

### sutupidmath

well here it is what i would do, consider first the values of x,y<-1 and you will get
I x-1 I= -(x-1) and I y+1 I= -(y+1), in which case you would get -3+2 which is smaller than 5.
then -1<x,y<1, in which case you would get
Ix-1I= -(x-1) and for Iy+1I= y+1, see what happens now when you plug in???
and the other case would be x,y>1
In which case you would ged
Ix-1I=x-1 and Iy+1I=y+1 when you plug in see what u get.

Note; this is not exactly as i am saying but i did it in purporse, this is the idea, but just that you have to do it in a better order, like taking the values of x smaller/greater than sth first, and then those of y, etc

P.s.Show some work of yours first, and then maybe you will get some more help!

3. Jan 24, 2008

### nicksauce

What is the maximum value of (x-1) / |x-1| ?

4. Jan 25, 2008

### sutupidmath

Since the OP hasn't shown up yet, i will give him/her some more hints.
Indeed, i will just pick up at what nicksauce suggested, it is shorter and nicer, look teh maximum value of $$\frac{(x-1)}{ abs{(x-1)}}$$, well the maximum here is 3.
Now look at the other part what is the minimum value of
$$2\frac{(y+1)}{abs(y+1)}$$, obviously it is -2, or you might want to look for the maximum of the:
$$-2\frac{(y+1)}{abs(y+1)}$$, which would be 2,
now going back to what you have to prove, why does that inequality hold?
Can you figure it out now, do u understand how it goes?