Solving inequalities in TWO variables?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the equality of two sets defined in terms of inequalities involving two variables, u1 and u2. Participants explore the implications of these inequalities, the mapping between variables, and the properties of real numbers in the context of inequalities and set definitions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants assert that the inequalities "-∞ < (u1+u2)/2 < ∞" and "-∞ < (u1-u2)/2 < ∞" imply that both u1 and u2 must be real numbers, leading to the conclusion that the sets are equivalent to R².
  • Others question the necessity of stating the inequalities, suggesting that they are trivially true for real numbers and do not provide meaningful information.
  • A participant expresses confusion about how to prove the equality of the sets and seeks clarification on the implications of the mapping defined by u1 and u2 in terms of y1 and y2.
  • Some participants highlight that the definitions of domain and range apply to functions, but the context of the original questions lacks clarity regarding the specific function being discussed.
  • There is a discussion about whether the statements made are tautological, with some participants agreeing that the inequalities do not add substantive information about the nature of the numbers involved.
  • Several participants attempt to clarify that the sets represent all ordered pairs of real numbers, emphasizing that the properties of real numbers ensure that the sums and differences involved are also real numbers.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that the inequalities are trivially satisfied by real numbers, but there is disagreement about the necessity and implications of these inequalities. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the clarity and proof of the equality of the sets.

Contextual Notes

Some participants note that the original questions were poorly worded, leading to confusion about the nature of the inequalities and the mapping between variables. The discussion reflects a need for clearer definitions and context regarding the mathematical concepts being addressed.

kingwinner
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Question 1)
{(u1,u2) : -∞ < (u1+u2)/2 < ∞ and -∞ < (u1-u2)/2 < ∞ } = {(u1,y2) : -∞ < u1 < ∞ and -∞ < u2 < ∞}
Why is the equality(=) true? How can I see that the two sets describe the same region?


Question 2)

2) Define u1=y1+y2, u2=y1-y2, so the mapping (or function) is (u1,u2)=f(y1,y2)=(y1+y2,y1-y2). If -∞ < y1 < ∞ and -∞ < y2 < ∞ are the DOMAIN of this mapping, then this implies the RANGE is -∞ < u1 < ∞ and -∞ < u2 < ∞. WHY?


Can someone explain, please? Any help would be appreciated!
 
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Hi kingwinner! :smile:
kingwinner said:
Suppose -∞ < (u1+u2)/2 < ∞ and -∞ < (u1-u2)/2 < ∞
Then this implies -∞ < u1 < ∞ and -∞ < u2 < ∞

Question 2)
Define u1=y1+y2, u2=y1-y2. If -∞ < y1 < ∞ and -∞ < y2 < ∞, then this implies -∞ < u1 < ∞ and -∞ < u2 < ∞

I don't understand :confused:

if a number is well-defined, then it must be between -∞ and ∞ …

so these equations don't seem to say anything! :rolleyes:

What is the context?​
 
1) The context is this:
{(u1,u2) : -∞ < (u1+u2)/2 < ∞ and -∞ < (u1-u2)/2 < ∞ } = {(u1,y2) : -∞ < u1 < ∞ and -∞ < u2 < ∞}
Why is the equality(=) true?


2) Define u1=y1+y2, u2=y1-y2. If -∞ < y1 < ∞ and -∞ < y2 < ∞ are the DOMAIN of this mapping, then this implies the RANGE is -∞ < u1 < ∞ and -∞ < u2 < ∞

Why?
 
kingwinner said:
1) The context is this:
{(u1,u2) : -∞ < (u1+u2)/2 < ∞ and -∞ < (u1-u2)/2 < ∞ } = {(u1,u2) : -∞ < u1 < ∞ and -∞ < u2 < ∞}
Why is the equality(=) true?

oh i see … they're sets!

this is an equality of sets.

Why is it true? because every element (u1,u2) in the first set can be proved to be in the second set,

and every element (u1,u2) in the second set can be proved to be in the first set …

and that's what you have to prove. :smile:
 
tiny-tim said:
oh i see … they're sets!

this is an equality of sets.

Why is it true? because every element (u1,u2) in the first set can be proved to be in the second set,

and every element (u1,u2) in the second set can be proved to be in the first set …

and that's what you have to prove. :smile:

Yes, for sure I know this.

This is from an example from a textbook (just a very small fraction of a very long example) and it just state the above equality with no explanation or proof and I got confused.
So my trouble is I have no idea how to prove this (or at least to "believe" or convince myself this. I don't want to use the word proof here, since this part is just one-millionth of a very long example, and not supposed to be a main stream topic).

Can somebody please help?
 
Are these real numbers? This just looks like a pretty trivial tautology (are there any other kinds? Yes) seeing how every pair (u,v) would satisfy all the inequalities
 
kingwinner said:
Yes, for sure I know this.

This is from an example from a textbook (just a very small fraction of a very long example) and it just state the above equality with no explanation or proof and I got confused.
So my trouble is I have no idea how to prove this (or at least to "believe" or convince myself this. I don't want to use the word proof here, since this part is just one-millionth of a very long example, and not supposed to be a main stream topic).

Can somebody please help?

All real numbers x have the property [tex]-\infty < x < \infty[/tex].

Your first question is worded strangely. It *sounds* like it's asking you to show that "if x and y are real numbers, then the average of x and y are real numbers"... but it's stated so poorly, I would go talk to your professor or whomever gave you this problem.

The second question is equally poor. Domains and range apply to functions, but it's not clear what function you're working with. And still, it's talking about being between negative and positive infinity, which is always true of real numbers. Saying a real number is less than infinity is the same as saying nothing at all about that number.
 
Sorry for the bad wording! I have reworded my questions in my first post, please check it. So the thing is that in this context -∞ < u2 < ∞ does not just mean it is a single real number, it means u2 can take on EVERY real number. (similar to the idea: the "range" of a function is the set of ALL "output" values produced by that function)
 
kingwinner said:
Question 1)
{(u1,u2) : -∞ < (u1+u2)/2 < ∞ and -∞ < (u1-u2)/2 < ∞ } = {(u1,y2) : -∞ < u1 < ∞ and -∞ < u2 < ∞}
Why is the equality(=) true? How can I see that the two sets describe the same region?

This still doesn't make sense. If u1 and u2 are real numbers, then (u1 + u2) / 2 is also a real number. So is (u1-u2)/2. Real numbers are always between negative and positive infinity, and so to say "-∞ < (u1+u2)/2 < ∞ and -∞ < (u1-u2)/2 < ∞" is silly, because it's always true, no matter what numbers u1 and u2 you use. You might as well be saying {(u1, u2) for all u1, u2 in R}.

Both sets are in fact equivalent to R^2, the set of ordered pairs of reals.
 
  • #10
Tac-Tics said:
This still doesn't make sense. If u1 and u2 are real numbers, then (u1 + u2) / 2 is also a real number. So is (u1-u2)/2. Real numbers are always between negative and positive infinity, and so to say "-∞ < (u1+u2)/2 < ∞ and -∞ < (u1-u2)/2 < ∞" is silly, because it's always true, no matter what numbers u1 and u2 you use. You might as well be saying {(u1, u2) for all u1, u2 in R}.

Both sets are in fact equivalent to R^2, the set of ordered pairs of reals.

1) But the thing I don't understand is WHY is {(u1,u2) : -∞ < (u1+u2)/2 < ∞ and -∞ < (u1-u2)/2 < ∞ } equal to R^2?
 
  • #11
kingwinner said:
1) But the thing I don't understand is WHY is {(u1,u2) : -∞ < (u1+u2)/2 < ∞ and -∞ < (u1-u2)/2 < ∞ } equal to R^2?


R^2 is defined as {(x, y) for all x, y in R}.
 
  • #12
Hi kingwinner! :smile:
Tac-Tics said:
… Real numbers are always between negative and positive infinity, and so to say "-∞ < (u1+u2)/2 < ∞ and -∞ < (u1-u2)/2 < ∞" is silly, because it's always true, no matter what numbers u1 and u2 you use. You might as well be saying {(u1, u2) for all u1, u2 in R}.

Yes, Tac-Tics :smile: is right …

it's a tautology … it's automatically true …

saying "-∞ < (u1+u2)/2 < ∞" is the same as saying "(u1+u2)/2 is a number which is a number". :wink:

(and technically, ∞ and -∞ aren't even in R: you can't really say, for example. "0 < n < ∞", you just say "0 < n")
 
  • #13
Tac-Tics said:
R^2 is defined as {(x, y) for all x, y in R}.
I can certainly see why {(u1,y2) : -∞ < u1 < ∞ and -∞ < u2 < ∞} is equal to R^2 (just trival), but why is {(u1,u2) : -∞ < (u1+u2)/2 < ∞ and -∞ < (u1-u2)/2 < ∞ } equal to R^2? How can you be so sure that every point in R^2 is in the set?
 
  • #14
How could a point fail to be in the set? Given two real numbers, when you add them you get a real number, and when you divide by two you get a real number
 
  • #15
That second set is just the set of all ordered pairs (x,y) of real numbers that have the property that x+y and x-y are real numbers. And we know that no ordered pair (x,y) of real numbers have the property that x+y isn't a real number, since the sum of any two real numbers is a real number.
 
  • #16
kingwinner said:
… why is {(u1,u2) : -∞ < (u1+u2)/2 < ∞ and -∞ < (u1-u2)/2 < ∞ } equal to R^2?

How can you be so sure that every point in R^2 is in the set?

Because any point (p,q) in R2

(btw, do use the X2 and X2 tags … they're just above the reply field :wink:)


can be written ((p+q)/2 + (p-q)/2 , (p+q)/2 - (p-q)/2). :smile:
 

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