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Exercise 501Logic, sets and proofs › Proof techniquesHigh schoolAdded 3 Nov 2026

Proof by cases

#proof by cases#parity#absolute value

Statement

Prove that for all real xx, ∣x∣≥x|x|\ge x.

Hint

Split into x≥0x\ge0 and x<0x<0.

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Solution

Case 1: x≥0x\ge0. ∣x∣=x|x|=x, so ∣x∣≥x|x|\ge x.

Case 2: x<0x<0. ∣x∣=−x>0>x|x|=-x>0>x, so ∣x∣>x|x|>x, hence ∣x∣≥x|x|\ge x.

Conclusion. In all cases ∣x∣≥x|x|\ge x.