MHB Proving absolute values theorems

tmt1
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For all real numbers $x$ and $y$ , if $x + y >= 0$ then $|x + y| = x + y$. How would I prove this?

My textbook just assumes this to be true.
 
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Let $a = x+y$. What is $|a|$?
 
Deveno said:
Let $a = x+y$. What is $|a|$?

$|x + y|$
 
tmt said:
For all real numbers $x$ and $y$ , if $x + y >= 0$ then $|x + y| = x + y$. How would I prove this?

My textbook just assumes this to be true.

The absolute value of a real number is defined as:
$$|a| = \begin{cases}a&\text{if } a\ge 0 \\ -a & \text{if } a<0\end{cases}$$

Since it is already given that $a = x+y \ge 0$, it follows from the definition that $|x+y|=x+y$.
 
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