Prove (xu + yv )^2 <= (x^2 + y^2)(u^2 + v^2)

  • Thread starter NastyAccident
  • Start date
In summary: Part b) is asking when the inequality becomes an equality. In other words, when is the inequality true and when is it not true (i.e. when does it hold and when does it not hold). Your answer is correct, equality holds when xv = yu or when the ratios are equal. This is a common approach in proofs - starting from an established inequality and finding the conditions for equality to hold. In this case, it is a good exercise to try and prove the inequality without using the Cauchy-Stewart inequality. Keep practicing and you'll get the hang of it!
  • #1
NastyAccident
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Homework Statement


(!) Let x, y, u, v be real numbers
a.) Prove (xu + yv )^2 <= (x^2 + y^2)(u^2 + v^2)
b.) Determine precisely when equality holds in part (a).

Homework Equations


Looks like the cauchy-stewarts inequality:
(a*b)^2 <= a*b

The Attempt at a Solution


0 <= (x^2+y^2)(u^2+v^2) - (xu +yv )^2
0 <= x^2u^2 + x^2v^2 + y^2u^2 + y^2v^2 - (x^2u^2 + 2xuyv + y^2v^2)
0 <= x^2v^2 + y^2u^2 - 2xuyv
0 <= (xv - yu)^2

Any square is always greater than 0.

However, I'm relatively new at trying to do proofs and the book's (Mathematical Thinking Problem Solving and Proofs) examples do not use an already established inequality to prove it. They typically start from scratch. Also, this problem set was pretty much the instructor kicking us from the shallow end of a pool into the deep deep end without any floaties.

In any case, I'm not sure about how to even approach part B if part a holds.

Unless it is, for all real numbers since the square allows for the terms inside to be negative.



NastyAccident
One confused Mathematics Major.
 
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  • #2
You've aced part a) part b is even simplier it is equal when xv=yu, or that ratios:
[tex]
\frac{x}{y}=\frac{u}{v}
[/tex]
 
  • #3
So,

You pretty much went one step further and...
0 <= (xv - yu)^2
0 <= xv - yu
yu <= xv

Correct?

So, in the future just take it one step further and figure out what the zeros are to figure out when the equality 'holds.'

Thanks for the help by the way!



NastyAccident
 
  • #4
Yes.
 

1. What is the equation (xu + yv )^2 <= (x^2 + y^2)(u^2 + v^2) used for?

The equation (xu + yv )^2 <= (x^2 + y^2)(u^2 + v^2) is used to prove the Cauchy-Schwarz inequality in mathematics.

2. How do you prove (xu + yv )^2 <= (x^2 + y^2)(u^2 + v^2)?

The proof involves using the properties of real numbers and the Cauchy-Schwarz inequality itself. It can be done by expanding the left side of the equation, rearranging terms, and using algebraic manipulations to show that it is less than or equal to the right side.

3. What are the variables x, y, u, and v in the equation (xu + yv )^2 <= (x^2 + y^2)(u^2 + v^2)?

The variables x, y, u, and v represent real numbers. They can be any real numbers, positive or negative.

4. Can the Cauchy-Schwarz inequality be used for complex numbers?

Yes, the Cauchy-Schwarz inequality can be extended to complex numbers. The equation (xu + yv )^2 <= (x^2 + y^2)(u^2 + v^2) still holds true for complex numbers, as long as the absolute values of the complex numbers are used.

5. What are some applications of the Cauchy-Schwarz inequality?

The Cauchy-Schwarz inequality has many applications in mathematics, physics, and engineering. It is used to prove other important theorems, such as the triangle inequality and the Hölder's inequality. It also has applications in probability theory, statistics, and optimization problems.

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