I want explanation on how to prove this theorem: If b is greater than or equal to zero then absolute value of b is greater than a iff b is greater than a or b is less than negative a.
prove: If $b\geq 0$ then |b|>a iff b>a or b<-a.
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0It is not a theorem. It is just the definition. $|b| \geq a$ is equivalent to the $b \geq a$ or $b \leq -a$, because of the definition of $|b|$ which is $b$ for $b \geq 0$ and $-b$ for $b \leq 0$. – 2012-04-17
3 Answers
It is (almost) trivially true. Note first that by definition \lvert b\lvert = \begin{cases} b & \text{if } b \geq 0 \\ -b &\text{if } b < 0. \end{cases} This is true for any real number $b$. So when you assume that $b\geq 0$, then $\lvert b \lvert = b$. So you are really asking for a proof of :
If $b\geq 0$ then $b > a$ if and only if $b > a$ or b < -a.
$(\Rightarrow)$: This direction is trivial. Indeed if $b > a$ then $b> a$ (or b< -a)
$(\Leftarrow)$: So now assume that $b > a$ or b < -a. If $b >a$ then you are done, so lets say that 0 \leq b < -a . But from this we see that $a$ is negative (because $-a$ is positive), so clearly it follows that a< b.
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0Fair enough; always good to be careful :) – 2012-04-17
The way you have stated it is trivial and redundant. You probably meant:
If a is greater than or equal to zero then absolute value of b is greater than a iff b is greater than a or b is less than negative a.
Am I right?
In this case, consider two cases: if b $\geq 0$ then $|b| = b$ and we want $b > a$. If $b\leq 0$ then $|b| = -b$ and we want $-b > a$, i.e. $-a > b$ (by adding $b-a$ to both sides). This can also be written as b < -a.
This proves the 'only if' condition.
For the 'if' condition, note that if $b > a$, it implies that $b > 0$ and thus $|b| = b > a$. On the other hand, if b < -a, it implies that b < 0, so |b| = -b < a (by adding $a-b$ to both sides of $-a > b$).
So this proves the 'if' condition too.
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0True, but it is a bit harder to keep track of inequality signs when we see it as multiplying by negative numbers. – 2012-04-17
I recommend you, look this sentences in real line. So you have $|b|\geq 0$ and $|b|>a$, these inequalitys, means, thes absolute value of b, could be: $-b$ if b<0 or $b$ if $b>0$. With these two cases, you have $-b>a$ or $b>a$. The first inequality -b multiply for $-1$, you get $b>-a$, because -1<0 then change the changes the direction of inequality. And, the second inequality: $b>a$. So you have your proof.
Regards,