Processing math: 100%

Proof

(related to Corollary: Rules of Calculations with Inequalities)

Proof of Rule 1) For any x\neq 0 it is x \cdot x >0. This is a consequence from the rules of multiplying positive and negative real numbers. Proof of Rule 2) 1 > 0 . From the uniqueness of 1 and the uniqueness of 0, it follows that 1 \neq 0. Therefore, according to the definition of order relation, it must be either 1 > 0 or -1 > 0. Since 1\cdot 1 =1 , it must be 1 > 0 , according to the rule Rule 1).

Proof of Rule 3)  From x > y it follows that x+a > y+a for any a\in\mathbb R. (The rule is analogously valid and proven for any inequalities with " < " in between). x > y means, by definition, that x - y > 0. Therefore, it is x - y + a - a > 0, and so it follows that x + a  - (y + a) > 0, and finally that x + a > y + a .  

Proof of Rule 4)  If x > y and a > b, then it follows that x+a > y+b. (The rule is analogously valid and proven for any inequalities with " < " in between). By definition, it is x - y > 0 and a - b > 0 . From the definition of order relation, it follows that (x - y) + (a -b) > 0, which by definition results in x + a > y + b.

Proof of Rule 5) Transitivity of the " < " (analogously the " > " relation) If x < y and y < z, then by definition it is 0 < y - x and 0 < z - y. From the definition of order relation, it follows that 0 < y - x + z - y= z - x, which by definition results in x < z.

Proof of Rule 6) The inequality x > y does not change, if it is multiplied by any number a > 0, i.e. it is ax > ay. (The rule is analogously valid and proven for an inequalities with " < " in between). By definition, it is x -y  > 0. From the definition of order relation, it follows that a(x-y)  = ax - ay > 0, which, by definition, results in ax > ay.

Proof of Rule 7) The inequality x > y changes, if it is multiplied by any number a < 0, i.e. it is ax < ay. (The rule is analogously valid and proven for an inequality with " < " in between, which then changes into " > "). By definition, it is x - y  > 0 and -a > 0. From the definition of order relation, it follows that (-a)(x-y)  = -ax + ay > 0, which, by definition, results in ay > ax, and finally in ax < ay.

Proof of Rule 8)  If x > 0, then x^{-1} > 0. It is x^{-1}=x^{-1}\cdot 1=x^{-1}\cdot(x^{-1}\cdot x) =(x^{-1}\cdot x^{-1})\cdot x, which is greater then 0, following the precondition, the Rule 1) and the definition of order relation.

Proof of Rule 9)  If x < 0, then x^{-1} < 0. It is x^{-1}=x^{-1}\cdot 1=x^{-1}\cdot(x^{-1}\cdot x) =(x^{-1}\cdot x^{-1})\cdot x, which is smaller then 0, following the precondition, the Rule 1) and the Rule 7).

Proof of Rule 10) If y > x > 0, then x^{-1} > y^{-1} . (The rule is analogously valid and proven for the inequality 0 < x < y, resulting in y^{-1} < x^{-1}). According to the precondition x and y are both positive. Therefore, it follows from the definition of order relation that xy > 0, and according to Rule 8) (xy)^{-1} > 0. Multiplying the inequality y > x by the number (xy)^{-1} does not change the inequality by Rule 6), therefore y(xy)^{-1} > x (xy)^{-1}. This is equivalent to x^{-1} > y^{-1}.

Proof of Rule 11) If 0 \le x < y and 0 \le a < b  then ax < by. (The rule is analogously valid and proven for by > ax, following from y > x \ge 0 and b > a \ge 0). The argument is valid, if x=0 or a=0, since then 0 < by follows from the definition of order relation. So assume 0 < x < y and 0 < a < b. In this case we have ax < ay and ay < by, following in both cases from the Rule 6. The argument follows now from the transitivity (Rule 5)).


Thank you to the contributors under CC BY-SA 4.0!

Github:
bookofproofs