Suppose that a and b are real numbers with 0 < a < 1 and 0 < b

vittorecostao1

vittorecostao1

Answered question

2022-06-08

Suppose that a and b are real numbers with 0 < a < 1 and 0 < b < 1. Prove by contradiction or contrapositive: If a 2 + b 2 = 1, then a + b > 1.
So far I get the below:
To prove the above statement with contrapositive, we need to show that if a + b 1 then a 2 + b 2 1. If a + b 1, then a 1 b. If we square both sides of the inequality we get a 2 ( 1 b ) 2 , which is a 2 1 2 b + b 2 , then a 2 b 2 1 2 b.
I get to this step but I get a 2 b 2 instead of a 2 + b 2 , I don't know if I am on the right track or if it is possible to prove with contrapositive?

Answer & Explanation

Nia Molina

Nia Molina

Beginner2022-06-09Added 21 answers

Step 1
If a + b 1 upon squaring both sides we get,
a 2 + b 2 + 2 a b 1
Step 2
That implies 1 + 2 a b 1 or 2 a b 0
Which is impossible due to 0 < a < 1 and 0 < b < 1.
Brunton39

Brunton39

Beginner2022-06-10Added 8 answers

Step 1
If you start with a + b 1 then b 1 a. We also have by hypothesis that a 2 + b 2 = 1, which means that:
a 2 + b 2 = 1
a 2 + ( 1 a ) 2 1
Step 2
That can be written: 2 a 2 2 a 0
So: 2 a ( a 1 ) 0
To be true, this means that a = 0 or a 1.

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