# Suprema Problem

1. Jun 19, 2013

### jmjlt88

Let X and Y be nonempty sets and let h: X x Y→ℝ
Define f: X →ℝ and g: Y→ℝ by the following:

f(x)=sup{h(x,y): y in Y} and g(y) = inf{h(x,y): x in X}

Prove that sup{g(y): y in Y} ≤ inf{f(x): x in X}

Attempt at solution:
Pick y' in Y. Then g(y')≤h(x,y') for all x in X. Hence, there exist some x' such that g(y')≤h(x',y').
Then, h(x',y')≤ sup{h(x',y): y in Y} = f(x')..... Not too sure where to go from here... A small hint would be great!

Thanks!

2. Jun 19, 2013

### jmjlt88

Wait... I think I got it..

Pick any y' and x'. Then, g(y') ≤ h(x,y') for all x; therefore g(y')≤h(x',y'). Now, h(x',y')≤sup{h(x',y) : y in Y}=f(x'). This established the following inequality:

g(y')≤f(x').​

Because x' and y' were arbitrary, we conclude g(y)≤f(x) for all x,y. Thus g(y) is a lower bound for the set {f(x): x in X} for all y; it follows that g(y)≤inf{f(x):x in X} for all y. Then, since g(y)≤inf{f(x):x in X}, inf{f(x):x in X} is an upper bound for the set {g(y): y in Y} ....... the rest is history! :)

3. Jun 19, 2013

### Dick

Sounds ok to me.