Can b always be greater than 0?

  • Thread starter Alpharup
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    Inequality
Thanks for pointing it out! In summary, your proof is incomplete as it does not consider the case where b is between 0 and -a. A complete proof would also need to consider this case in order to prove that b>0 always.
  • #1
Alpharup
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Let a>0. It is also true that a+b>0. Can we prove that b>0 always?
My attempt
b>-a... but 0>-a.

therefore min (b,0)>-a
case 1: b <0.
If, b <-a, then a <-b
so a+b <b-b
so, a+b <0.
Contradiction
Hence b>0.
Is my proof right?
 
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  • #2
Alpharup said:
Let a>0. It is also true that a+b>0. Can we prove that b>0 always?
My attempt
b>-a... but 0>-a.

therefore min (b,0)>-a
case 1: b <0.
If, b <-a, then a <-b
so a+b <b-b
so, a+b <0.
Contradiction
Hence b>0.
Is my proof right?
No.

a=20, b=-5
a>0
a+b=15>0

But b<0.

So where is the mistake in your proof?
 
  • #3
Alpharup said:
Let a>0. It is also true that a+b>0. Can we prove that b>0 always?
No.
 
  • #4
Yeah...I get it. b>-a...and b. an be between 0 and -a
 
  • #5
Yup, I did not consider between 0 and -a
 

FAQ: Can b always be greater than 0?

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