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)).


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