MHB Prove $\sqrt{\sin x} > \sin\sqrt{x}, 0<x<\frac{\pi}{2}$

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The discussion focuses on proving the inequality $\sqrt{\sin x} > \sin \sqrt{x}$ for the interval $0 < x < \frac{\pi}{2}$. Participants express admiration for a member's mathematical prowess in tackling this problem. The proof involves analyzing the behavior of the functions involved within the specified range. The community engages in sharing insights and approaches to validate the inequality. Overall, the thread emphasizes the importance of rigorous mathematical proof in understanding inequalities.
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Prove that $\sqrt{\sin x}>\sin \sqrt{x}$ for $0<x<\dfrac{\pi}{2}$.
 
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anemone said:
Prove that $\sqrt{\sin x}>\sin \sqrt{x}$ for $0<x<\dfrac{\pi}{2}$.
We will prove the result separately for the intervals $(0,1]$ and $\left(1,\frac{\pi}{2}\right]$.

Assume first that $1<x<\frac{\pi}{2}$. Since $0<\sin x < 1$, we have $\sqrt{\sin x}>\sin x$. Since $x>1$, we have $x>\sqrt{x}$, and, as $\sin x$ is an increasing function, $\sin x > \sin \sqrt{x}$. We may therefore conclude:
$$\displaystyle
\sqrt{\sin x}>\sin x>\sin \sqrt{x}
$$
in this case.

Assume now that $0<x\leq 1$. This implies that $x<\sqrt{x}$.

Since $\sqrt{x}>0$, the inequality is equivalent to:
$$\displaystyle
\begin{align*}
\frac{\sqrt{\sin x}}{\sqrt{x}} &> \frac{\sin \sqrt{x}}{\sqrt{x}}\\
\sqrt{\frac{\sin x}{x}} &> \frac{\sin \sqrt{x}}{\sqrt{x}} \\
\sqrt{f(x)} &> f(\sqrt{x})
\end{align*}
$$

where $f(x) = \frac{\sin x}{x}$.

Because $0<f(x)<1$ in the interval under consideration, $\sqrt{f(x)} > f(x)$.

Now, the derivative of $f(x)$ is:
$$\displaystyle
\frac{df}{dx} = \frac{x\cdot\cos x - \sin x}{x^2}
$$

and this is negative, since $0< x< \tan x$. This means that $f$ is strictly decreasing; as $x<\sqrt{x}$, $f(x) > f(\sqrt{x})$, and we conclude:
$$\displaystyle
\sqrt{f(x)} > f(x) > f(\sqrt{x})
$$

which completes the proof.
 
Last edited:
castor28 said:
We will prove the result separately for the intervals $(0,1]$ and $\left(1,\frac{\pi}{2}\right]$.

Assume first that $1<x<\frac{\pi}{2}$. Since $0<\sin x < 1$, we have $\sqrt{\sin x}>\sin x$. Since $x>1$, we have $x>\sqrt{x}$, and, as $\sin x$ is an increasing function, $\sin x > \sin \sqrt{x}$. We may therefore conclude:
$$\displaystyle
\sqrt{\sin x}>\sin x>\sin \sqrt{x}
$$
in this case.

Assume now that $0<x\leq 1$. This implies that $x<\sqrt{x}$.

Since $\sqrt{x}>0$, the inequality is equivalent to:
$$\displaystyle
\begin{align*}
\frac{\sqrt{\sin x}}{\sqrt{x}} &> \frac{\sin \sqrt{x}}{\sqrt{x}}\\
\sqrt{\frac{\sin x}{x}} &> \frac{\sin \sqrt{x}}{\sqrt{x}} \\
\sqrt{f(x)} &> f(\sqrt{x})
\end{align*}
$$

where $f(x) = \frac{\sin x}{x}$.

Because $0<f(x)<1$ in the interval under consideration, $\sqrt{f(x)} > f(x)$.

Now, the derivative of $f(x)$ is:
$$\displaystyle
\frac{df}{dx} = \frac{x\cdot\cos x - \sin x}{x^2}
$$

and this is negative, since $0< x< \tan x$. This means that $f$ is strictly decreasing; as $x<\sqrt{x}$, $f(x) > f(\sqrt{x})$, and we conclude:
$$\displaystyle
\sqrt{f(x)} > f(x) > f(\sqrt{x})
$$

which completes the proof.

Bravo, castor28! You are definitely one of the brightest stars here in MHB!(Happy)
 
Here is a little puzzle from the book 100 Geometric Games by Pierre Berloquin. The side of a small square is one meter long and the side of a larger square one and a half meters long. One vertex of the large square is at the center of the small square. The side of the large square cuts two sides of the small square into one- third parts and two-thirds parts. What is the area where the squares overlap?

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