Art of Problem Solving

Trivial Inequality: Difference between revisions

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=== The Inequality ===
=== The Inequality ===


The trivial inequality states that <math> x^2 >= 0 </math> for all x. This is a rather useful inequality for proving that certain quantities are non-negative. The inequality appears to be obvious and unimportant, but it can be a very powerful problem solving technique.
The trivial inequality states that <math>{x^2 \ge 0}</math> for all x. This is a rather useful inequality for proving that certain quantities are non-negative. The inequality appears to be obvious and unimportant, but it can be a very powerful problem solving technique.


=== Applications ===
=== Applications ===

Revision as of 15:57, 17 June 2006

The Inequality

The trivial inequality states that ${x^2 \ge 0}$ for all x. This is a rather useful inequality for proving that certain quantities are non-negative. The inequality appears to be obvious and unimportant, but it can be a very powerful problem solving technique.

Applications

Maximizing and minimizing quadratic functions

After Completing the square, the trivial inequality can be applied to determine the extrema of a quadratic function.