Proving x<0, y<0, and x<y Implies [y][/2] < [x][/2]

  • Context: Undergrad 
  • Thread starter Thread starter llanoda
  • Start date Start date
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around proving the inequality involving negative numbers, specifically that if x<0, y<0, and x

Discussion Character

  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants interpret [y][/2] as y squared, leading to the claim that y^2 < x^2 under the conditions given.
  • One participant suggests breaking the proof into parts, starting with proving that x^2 = (-x)^2 to facilitate the comparison of positive numbers.
  • Another participant proposes that if 0 < a < b, then a^2 < b^2, applying this to the context of negative numbers by transforming the inequalities.
  • Further contributions involve manipulating inequalities by multiplying both sides by negative numbers, leading to the conclusion that x^2 > y^2.
  • There is a playful remark about waiting for the community to solve the question collectively.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing interpretations of the notation and the proof structure. While some agree on the transformation of inequalities, there is no consensus on the notation or the initial claim's clarity.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved assumptions regarding the notation [y][/2] and its interpretation. The discussion also reflects varying levels of clarity in the mathematical steps presented.

llanoda
Messages
2
Reaction score
0
Hi,

Anybody can help me prove this? Thanks...

If x<0 and y<0 and x<y, then [y][/2] < [x][/2]
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Hi, welcome to PF.

What does the brackets notation mean?
What is [y][/2] ?
 
That is y squared is greater than x squared
 
You seem to have said that y squared is LESS than x squared in your original post.
 
That's correct. Because x<y<0.

This might be the kind of thing you want to do in parts. For example, prove that x2 = (-x)2 so you can switch this to looking at positive numbers
 
llanoda said:
Hi,

Anybody can help me prove this? Thanks...

If x<0 and y<0 and x<y, then [y][/2] < [x][/2]

You mean, "if x< 0, y< 0 and x< y, then y2< x2". If you don't want to use HTML tags or LaTex, the y^2< x^2 is the best way to show an exponent.

It is easy to show that if 0< a< b, then a2< b2. Here, since x< y< 0, 0< -y< -x so (-y)2< (-x)2 which, because (-x)2= x2 and (-y)2= y2, leads to your result.
 
edit:
Use
If a < b, then c * b < c * a if and only if c < 0.
Spoiler :
We have x < 0, y < 0 and x < y. Then x * y < x * x, because x < 0. Similarly, y * y < y * x, because y < 0. So,
y^2 = y * y < y * x = x * y < x * x = x^2,
giving y^2 < x^2.
o:)
 
Last edited:
See, if you'll wait long enough with replying, we'll solve the entire question for you :smile:
 
llanoda said:
Hi,

Anybody can help me prove this? Thanks...

If x<0 and y<0 and x<y, then [y][/2] < [x][/2]


We have x<y and x<0 and y<0 ,so if we multiply x<y by x<0 we get:

[tex]x^2>xy[/tex]............1

and if we multiply x<y by y<0 we get:

[tex]xy> y^2[/tex]............2

And from (1) and (2) we have : [tex]x^2> y^2[/tex],using the fact .

If A>B AND B>C ,then A>C
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
4K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K