MHB Prove $|P(a)-P(b)|<\dfrac{1}{2}$ for Algebra Challenge Function $P$

  • Thread starter Thread starter anemone
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Algebra Challenge
AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around proving that for a function \( P \) defined on the interval \([0, 1]\) with \( P(0) = P(1) = 1 \) and the condition \( |P(a) - P(b)| < |a - b| \) for all \( a \neq b \), it follows that \( |P(a) - P(b)| < \frac{1}{2} \). Participants analyze the implications of the derivative \( |P'(x)| < 1 \) and the integral of the derivative, concluding that the maximum difference between \( P(a) \) and \( P(b) \) is constrained. They also explore specific forms of \( P(x) \) and the probability method to reinforce their arguments. The conversation highlights the necessity of excluding the case where \( |P(b) - P(a)| = \frac{1}{2} \) and clarifies the bounds on \( |b - a| \). The discussion ultimately leads to a consensus on the proof's validity and the conditions under which it holds.
anemone
Gold Member
MHB
POTW Director
Messages
3,851
Reaction score
115
Let $P$ be a function defined on $[0, 1]$ such that $P(0)=P(1)=1$ and $|P(a)-P(b)|<|a-b|$, for all $a\ne b$ in the interval $[0, 1]$.

Prove that $|P(a)-P(b)|<\dfrac{1}{2}$.
 
Mathematics news on Phys.org
anemone said:
Let $P$ be a function defined on $[0, 1]$ such that $P(0)=P(1)=1$ and $|P(a)-P(b)|<|a-b|$, for all $a\ne b$ in the interval $[0, 1]$.

Prove that $|P(a)-P(b)|<\dfrac{1}{2}$.
for simplicity , I will set :$P(x)=x(x-1)+1=(x-\dfrac{1}{2})^2+\dfrac {3}{4}$
then $max(P(a)-P(b))\leq 1-\dfrac {3}{4}<\dfrac {1}{2}$
take $a=1,b=\dfrac {1}{2}$
 
Albert said:
for simplicity , I will set :$P(x)=x(x-1)+1=(x-\dfrac{1}{2})^2+\dfrac {3}{4}$
then $max(P(a)-P(b))\leq 1-\dfrac {3}{4}<\dfrac {1}{2}$
take $a=1,b=\dfrac {1}{2}$
Are you simply demonstrating an example or is there some way this will generalize to all possible P(x)?

-Dan
 
anemone said:
Let $P$ be a function defined on $[0, 1]$ such that $P(0)=P(1)=1$ and $|P(a)-P(b)|<|a-b|$, for all $a\ne b$ in the interval $[0, 1]$.

Prove that $|P(a)-P(b)|<\dfrac{1}{2}$.

[sp]Because is $|P(a) - P (b)|<|a - b|$ for all $a \ne b$ in [0,1] is also $|P' (x)|< 1$ for all x in [0,1] . But is also $\int_{0}^{1} P' (x)\ d x = P(1) - P(0) = 0$ , so that for all a and b in [0,1] is $ |\int_{a}^{b} P'(x)\ d x| = |P(b) - P(a)| \le \frac{1}{2}$...[/sp]

Kind regards$\chi$ $\sigma$
 
topsquark said:
Are you simply demonstrating an example or is there some way this will generalize to all possible P(x)?

-Dan
In general you can set $P(x)=x^n(x-1)^n+1$
and then find its derivative to get $max(P(x))$ and $min(P(x))$
for $x\in [0,1]$
 
Last edited:
chisigma said:
[sp]Because is $|P(a) - P (b)|<|a - b|$ for all $a \ne b$ in [0,1] is also $|P' (x)|< 1$ for all x in [0,1] . But is also $\int_{0}^{1} P' (x)\ d x = P(1) - P(0) = 0$ , so that for all a and b in [0,1] is $ |\int_{a}^{b} P'(x)\ d x| = |P(b) - P(a)| \le \frac{1}{2}$...[/sp]

Kind regards$\chi$ $\sigma$
very clever solution !
but $ |P(b) - P(a)| =\dfrac {1}{2}$ should be excluded , for $a,b \in [0,1]$ and $a\neq b$
this is the same as using probability method:
$\dfrac { |P(b) - P(a)|}{1-0}<\dfrac { |b - a|}{1-0}<\dfrac {1}{2}$
 
chisigma said:
[sp]so that for all a and b in [0,1] is $ |\int_{a}^{b} P'(x)\ d x| = |P(b) - P(a)| \le \frac{1}{2}$...[/sp]
I'm sorry, [math]\chi ~ \sigma[/math], I can't see how you are getting |b - a| < 1/2 in the last step?

-Dan
 
topsquark said:
I'm sorry, [math]\chi ~ \sigma[/math], I can't see how you are getting |b - a| < 1/2 in the last step?

-Dan
let :$0\leq b=a\pm k\leq 1$

for : $a+k-(a-k)=2k\leq (1-0)=1$

or $k \leq \dfrac {1}{2}$

then : $|b - a| =|a\pm k -a| =|\pm k| \leq \dfrac {1}{2}$

$\therefore |P(b) -P(a)| <|b -a| \leq \dfrac {1}{2}$
 
Last edited:
Sorry for the late reply and thanks Albert for participating, and your explanations and also thanks to chisigma for your solution...

Solution of other:
We consider the following cases:
[TABLE="class: grid, width: 700"]
[TR]
[TD]Case I ($|a-b|\le \dfrac{1}{2}$):

If $|a-b|\le \dfrac{1}{2}$, then

$|P(a)-P(b)|<|a-b|\le\dfrac{1}{2}$, as desired.[/TD]
[TD]Case II ($|a-b|> \dfrac{1}{2}$):

By symmetry, we may assume $a>b$.

Then

$\begin{align*}|P(a)-P(b)|&=|P(a)-P(1)+P(0)-P(b)|\\&\le |P(a)-P(1)|+|P(0)-P(b)|\\&<|a-1|+|0-b|\\&=1-a+b-0\\&=1-(a-b)\\&<\dfrac{1}{2}\end{align*}$

as desired.[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
 
Back
Top