Why is my proof for “if $0 leqslant x leqslant 2$, then $-x^3 + 4x + 1 > 0$” is false?












2












$begingroup$



$$text{if $0 leqslant x leqslant 2$, then $-x^3 + 4x + 1 > 0$}$$




$$x(4-x^2)>-1$$
$$x>dfrac{1}{x^2-4}$$ if the last statement is smaller than $x$ then it is also smaller than $2$ because of first statement ($0 leqslant x leqslant 2$):
$$dfrac{1}{x^2-4}<2$$
$$1<2x^2-8$$
$$4.5<x^2$$
$$-2.121<x<2.121$$
Which contradicts the first statement because $x$ cannot be greater than $2$. My proof is wrong but why? (I took that question from Math for Computer Science book p. 12)










share|cite|improve this question











$endgroup$












  • $begingroup$
    You divide by 0 when x = 2.
    $endgroup$
    – William Elliot
    Dec 15 '18 at 10:42










  • $begingroup$
    In your third line you (must have) assumed $4-x^2>0$
    $endgroup$
    – lcv
    Dec 15 '18 at 10:55
















2












$begingroup$



$$text{if $0 leqslant x leqslant 2$, then $-x^3 + 4x + 1 > 0$}$$




$$x(4-x^2)>-1$$
$$x>dfrac{1}{x^2-4}$$ if the last statement is smaller than $x$ then it is also smaller than $2$ because of first statement ($0 leqslant x leqslant 2$):
$$dfrac{1}{x^2-4}<2$$
$$1<2x^2-8$$
$$4.5<x^2$$
$$-2.121<x<2.121$$
Which contradicts the first statement because $x$ cannot be greater than $2$. My proof is wrong but why? (I took that question from Math for Computer Science book p. 12)










share|cite|improve this question











$endgroup$












  • $begingroup$
    You divide by 0 when x = 2.
    $endgroup$
    – William Elliot
    Dec 15 '18 at 10:42










  • $begingroup$
    In your third line you (must have) assumed $4-x^2>0$
    $endgroup$
    – lcv
    Dec 15 '18 at 10:55














2












2








2





$begingroup$



$$text{if $0 leqslant x leqslant 2$, then $-x^3 + 4x + 1 > 0$}$$




$$x(4-x^2)>-1$$
$$x>dfrac{1}{x^2-4}$$ if the last statement is smaller than $x$ then it is also smaller than $2$ because of first statement ($0 leqslant x leqslant 2$):
$$dfrac{1}{x^2-4}<2$$
$$1<2x^2-8$$
$$4.5<x^2$$
$$-2.121<x<2.121$$
Which contradicts the first statement because $x$ cannot be greater than $2$. My proof is wrong but why? (I took that question from Math for Computer Science book p. 12)










share|cite|improve this question











$endgroup$





$$text{if $0 leqslant x leqslant 2$, then $-x^3 + 4x + 1 > 0$}$$




$$x(4-x^2)>-1$$
$$x>dfrac{1}{x^2-4}$$ if the last statement is smaller than $x$ then it is also smaller than $2$ because of first statement ($0 leqslant x leqslant 2$):
$$dfrac{1}{x^2-4}<2$$
$$1<2x^2-8$$
$$4.5<x^2$$
$$-2.121<x<2.121$$
Which contradicts the first statement because $x$ cannot be greater than $2$. My proof is wrong but why? (I took that question from Math for Computer Science book p. 12)







discrete-mathematics proof-verification






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edited Dec 15 '18 at 11:33









egreg

181k1485203




181k1485203










asked Dec 15 '18 at 10:28









Ahmet SoyyiğitAhmet Soyyiğit

133




133












  • $begingroup$
    You divide by 0 when x = 2.
    $endgroup$
    – William Elliot
    Dec 15 '18 at 10:42










  • $begingroup$
    In your third line you (must have) assumed $4-x^2>0$
    $endgroup$
    – lcv
    Dec 15 '18 at 10:55


















  • $begingroup$
    You divide by 0 when x = 2.
    $endgroup$
    – William Elliot
    Dec 15 '18 at 10:42










  • $begingroup$
    In your third line you (must have) assumed $4-x^2>0$
    $endgroup$
    – lcv
    Dec 15 '18 at 10:55
















$begingroup$
You divide by 0 when x = 2.
$endgroup$
– William Elliot
Dec 15 '18 at 10:42




$begingroup$
You divide by 0 when x = 2.
$endgroup$
– William Elliot
Dec 15 '18 at 10:42












$begingroup$
In your third line you (must have) assumed $4-x^2>0$
$endgroup$
– lcv
Dec 15 '18 at 10:55




$begingroup$
In your third line you (must have) assumed $4-x^2>0$
$endgroup$
– lcv
Dec 15 '18 at 10:55










4 Answers
4






active

oldest

votes


















0












$begingroup$

You made two mistakes and recovered:
$$dfrac{1}{x^2-4}<2 notRightarrow 1<2(x^2-4) (text{it must be} 1color{red}>2(x^2-4), text{because} x^2-4le 0)\
4.5<x^2 notRightarrow -2.121<x<2.121 (text{it must be} 4.5color{red}>x^2 Rightarrow -2.121<x<2.121)$$



Alternatively, you can prove it as follows:
$$-x^3 + 4x + 1 > 0 iff x^3-4x-1<0 iff x(x-2)(x+2)<1 iff \
x(x-2)(x+2)le 0<1 text{for} 0le xle 2 text{(why?)}$$






share|cite|improve this answer









$endgroup$





















    0












    $begingroup$

    You are correct that $-3/sqrt2<x<3/sqrt2$ because $x$ still lies between $0$ and $2$. You have found a wider bound for $x$, but it is not wrong. Note that the larger interval does not mean that $x$ takes all values between $pm3/sqrt2$.



    An analogy could be that $x=3$, and we know that $2<x<4$. But it is also true that $-1<x<7$, or even $-infty<x<infty$.






    share|cite|improve this answer









    $endgroup$













    • $begingroup$
      So, does the last statement mean "x can be any number between -2.121 and 2.121" or "x is one of the numbers between -2.121 and 2.121 but we don't know which number is it" ?
      $endgroup$
      – Ahmet Soyyiğit
      Dec 15 '18 at 11:15










    • $begingroup$
      We know that $0le xle2$. Therefore the last statement is saying that $x$ can be a set of numbers between $pm2.121$ but is restricted to $[0,2]$ due to the criterion at the start.
      $endgroup$
      – TheSimpliFire
      Dec 15 '18 at 11:17



















    0












    $begingroup$

    Stating that a statement is smaller than a number makes no sense.



    And from the fact that $dfrac1{x^2-4}<2$ together with $0leqslant xleqslant2$, you can't deduce that $dfrac1{x^2-4}<x$.



    Finally, from $dfrac1{x^2-4}<2$, what you deduce is that $1>x(x^2-4)$, since $x^2-4<0$.






    share|cite|improve this answer









    $endgroup$





















      0












      $begingroup$

      1 + 4x - x$^3$ = 1 + x(4 - x$^2$).

      For all x in [0,2], 0 < x, 0 < 4 - x$^2$.

      Desired conclusion quickly follows.






      share|cite|improve this answer









      $endgroup$













        Your Answer





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        4 Answers
        4






        active

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        4 Answers
        4






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        0












        $begingroup$

        You made two mistakes and recovered:
        $$dfrac{1}{x^2-4}<2 notRightarrow 1<2(x^2-4) (text{it must be} 1color{red}>2(x^2-4), text{because} x^2-4le 0)\
        4.5<x^2 notRightarrow -2.121<x<2.121 (text{it must be} 4.5color{red}>x^2 Rightarrow -2.121<x<2.121)$$



        Alternatively, you can prove it as follows:
        $$-x^3 + 4x + 1 > 0 iff x^3-4x-1<0 iff x(x-2)(x+2)<1 iff \
        x(x-2)(x+2)le 0<1 text{for} 0le xle 2 text{(why?)}$$






        share|cite|improve this answer









        $endgroup$


















          0












          $begingroup$

          You made two mistakes and recovered:
          $$dfrac{1}{x^2-4}<2 notRightarrow 1<2(x^2-4) (text{it must be} 1color{red}>2(x^2-4), text{because} x^2-4le 0)\
          4.5<x^2 notRightarrow -2.121<x<2.121 (text{it must be} 4.5color{red}>x^2 Rightarrow -2.121<x<2.121)$$



          Alternatively, you can prove it as follows:
          $$-x^3 + 4x + 1 > 0 iff x^3-4x-1<0 iff x(x-2)(x+2)<1 iff \
          x(x-2)(x+2)le 0<1 text{for} 0le xle 2 text{(why?)}$$






          share|cite|improve this answer









          $endgroup$
















            0












            0








            0





            $begingroup$

            You made two mistakes and recovered:
            $$dfrac{1}{x^2-4}<2 notRightarrow 1<2(x^2-4) (text{it must be} 1color{red}>2(x^2-4), text{because} x^2-4le 0)\
            4.5<x^2 notRightarrow -2.121<x<2.121 (text{it must be} 4.5color{red}>x^2 Rightarrow -2.121<x<2.121)$$



            Alternatively, you can prove it as follows:
            $$-x^3 + 4x + 1 > 0 iff x^3-4x-1<0 iff x(x-2)(x+2)<1 iff \
            x(x-2)(x+2)le 0<1 text{for} 0le xle 2 text{(why?)}$$






            share|cite|improve this answer









            $endgroup$



            You made two mistakes and recovered:
            $$dfrac{1}{x^2-4}<2 notRightarrow 1<2(x^2-4) (text{it must be} 1color{red}>2(x^2-4), text{because} x^2-4le 0)\
            4.5<x^2 notRightarrow -2.121<x<2.121 (text{it must be} 4.5color{red}>x^2 Rightarrow -2.121<x<2.121)$$



            Alternatively, you can prove it as follows:
            $$-x^3 + 4x + 1 > 0 iff x^3-4x-1<0 iff x(x-2)(x+2)<1 iff \
            x(x-2)(x+2)le 0<1 text{for} 0le xle 2 text{(why?)}$$







            share|cite|improve this answer












            share|cite|improve this answer



            share|cite|improve this answer










            answered Dec 15 '18 at 11:32









            farruhotafarruhota

            20.2k2738




            20.2k2738























                0












                $begingroup$

                You are correct that $-3/sqrt2<x<3/sqrt2$ because $x$ still lies between $0$ and $2$. You have found a wider bound for $x$, but it is not wrong. Note that the larger interval does not mean that $x$ takes all values between $pm3/sqrt2$.



                An analogy could be that $x=3$, and we know that $2<x<4$. But it is also true that $-1<x<7$, or even $-infty<x<infty$.






                share|cite|improve this answer









                $endgroup$













                • $begingroup$
                  So, does the last statement mean "x can be any number between -2.121 and 2.121" or "x is one of the numbers between -2.121 and 2.121 but we don't know which number is it" ?
                  $endgroup$
                  – Ahmet Soyyiğit
                  Dec 15 '18 at 11:15










                • $begingroup$
                  We know that $0le xle2$. Therefore the last statement is saying that $x$ can be a set of numbers between $pm2.121$ but is restricted to $[0,2]$ due to the criterion at the start.
                  $endgroup$
                  – TheSimpliFire
                  Dec 15 '18 at 11:17
















                0












                $begingroup$

                You are correct that $-3/sqrt2<x<3/sqrt2$ because $x$ still lies between $0$ and $2$. You have found a wider bound for $x$, but it is not wrong. Note that the larger interval does not mean that $x$ takes all values between $pm3/sqrt2$.



                An analogy could be that $x=3$, and we know that $2<x<4$. But it is also true that $-1<x<7$, or even $-infty<x<infty$.






                share|cite|improve this answer









                $endgroup$













                • $begingroup$
                  So, does the last statement mean "x can be any number between -2.121 and 2.121" or "x is one of the numbers between -2.121 and 2.121 but we don't know which number is it" ?
                  $endgroup$
                  – Ahmet Soyyiğit
                  Dec 15 '18 at 11:15










                • $begingroup$
                  We know that $0le xle2$. Therefore the last statement is saying that $x$ can be a set of numbers between $pm2.121$ but is restricted to $[0,2]$ due to the criterion at the start.
                  $endgroup$
                  – TheSimpliFire
                  Dec 15 '18 at 11:17














                0












                0








                0





                $begingroup$

                You are correct that $-3/sqrt2<x<3/sqrt2$ because $x$ still lies between $0$ and $2$. You have found a wider bound for $x$, but it is not wrong. Note that the larger interval does not mean that $x$ takes all values between $pm3/sqrt2$.



                An analogy could be that $x=3$, and we know that $2<x<4$. But it is also true that $-1<x<7$, or even $-infty<x<infty$.






                share|cite|improve this answer









                $endgroup$



                You are correct that $-3/sqrt2<x<3/sqrt2$ because $x$ still lies between $0$ and $2$. You have found a wider bound for $x$, but it is not wrong. Note that the larger interval does not mean that $x$ takes all values between $pm3/sqrt2$.



                An analogy could be that $x=3$, and we know that $2<x<4$. But it is also true that $-1<x<7$, or even $-infty<x<infty$.







                share|cite|improve this answer












                share|cite|improve this answer



                share|cite|improve this answer










                answered Dec 15 '18 at 10:35









                TheSimpliFireTheSimpliFire

                12.4k62460




                12.4k62460












                • $begingroup$
                  So, does the last statement mean "x can be any number between -2.121 and 2.121" or "x is one of the numbers between -2.121 and 2.121 but we don't know which number is it" ?
                  $endgroup$
                  – Ahmet Soyyiğit
                  Dec 15 '18 at 11:15










                • $begingroup$
                  We know that $0le xle2$. Therefore the last statement is saying that $x$ can be a set of numbers between $pm2.121$ but is restricted to $[0,2]$ due to the criterion at the start.
                  $endgroup$
                  – TheSimpliFire
                  Dec 15 '18 at 11:17


















                • $begingroup$
                  So, does the last statement mean "x can be any number between -2.121 and 2.121" or "x is one of the numbers between -2.121 and 2.121 but we don't know which number is it" ?
                  $endgroup$
                  – Ahmet Soyyiğit
                  Dec 15 '18 at 11:15










                • $begingroup$
                  We know that $0le xle2$. Therefore the last statement is saying that $x$ can be a set of numbers between $pm2.121$ but is restricted to $[0,2]$ due to the criterion at the start.
                  $endgroup$
                  – TheSimpliFire
                  Dec 15 '18 at 11:17
















                $begingroup$
                So, does the last statement mean "x can be any number between -2.121 and 2.121" or "x is one of the numbers between -2.121 and 2.121 but we don't know which number is it" ?
                $endgroup$
                – Ahmet Soyyiğit
                Dec 15 '18 at 11:15




                $begingroup$
                So, does the last statement mean "x can be any number between -2.121 and 2.121" or "x is one of the numbers between -2.121 and 2.121 but we don't know which number is it" ?
                $endgroup$
                – Ahmet Soyyiğit
                Dec 15 '18 at 11:15












                $begingroup$
                We know that $0le xle2$. Therefore the last statement is saying that $x$ can be a set of numbers between $pm2.121$ but is restricted to $[0,2]$ due to the criterion at the start.
                $endgroup$
                – TheSimpliFire
                Dec 15 '18 at 11:17




                $begingroup$
                We know that $0le xle2$. Therefore the last statement is saying that $x$ can be a set of numbers between $pm2.121$ but is restricted to $[0,2]$ due to the criterion at the start.
                $endgroup$
                – TheSimpliFire
                Dec 15 '18 at 11:17











                0












                $begingroup$

                Stating that a statement is smaller than a number makes no sense.



                And from the fact that $dfrac1{x^2-4}<2$ together with $0leqslant xleqslant2$, you can't deduce that $dfrac1{x^2-4}<x$.



                Finally, from $dfrac1{x^2-4}<2$, what you deduce is that $1>x(x^2-4)$, since $x^2-4<0$.






                share|cite|improve this answer









                $endgroup$


















                  0












                  $begingroup$

                  Stating that a statement is smaller than a number makes no sense.



                  And from the fact that $dfrac1{x^2-4}<2$ together with $0leqslant xleqslant2$, you can't deduce that $dfrac1{x^2-4}<x$.



                  Finally, from $dfrac1{x^2-4}<2$, what you deduce is that $1>x(x^2-4)$, since $x^2-4<0$.






                  share|cite|improve this answer









                  $endgroup$
















                    0












                    0








                    0





                    $begingroup$

                    Stating that a statement is smaller than a number makes no sense.



                    And from the fact that $dfrac1{x^2-4}<2$ together with $0leqslant xleqslant2$, you can't deduce that $dfrac1{x^2-4}<x$.



                    Finally, from $dfrac1{x^2-4}<2$, what you deduce is that $1>x(x^2-4)$, since $x^2-4<0$.






                    share|cite|improve this answer









                    $endgroup$



                    Stating that a statement is smaller than a number makes no sense.



                    And from the fact that $dfrac1{x^2-4}<2$ together with $0leqslant xleqslant2$, you can't deduce that $dfrac1{x^2-4}<x$.



                    Finally, from $dfrac1{x^2-4}<2$, what you deduce is that $1>x(x^2-4)$, since $x^2-4<0$.







                    share|cite|improve this answer












                    share|cite|improve this answer



                    share|cite|improve this answer










                    answered Dec 15 '18 at 10:38









                    José Carlos SantosJosé Carlos Santos

                    160k22127232




                    160k22127232























                        0












                        $begingroup$

                        1 + 4x - x$^3$ = 1 + x(4 - x$^2$).

                        For all x in [0,2], 0 < x, 0 < 4 - x$^2$.

                        Desired conclusion quickly follows.






                        share|cite|improve this answer









                        $endgroup$


















                          0












                          $begingroup$

                          1 + 4x - x$^3$ = 1 + x(4 - x$^2$).

                          For all x in [0,2], 0 < x, 0 < 4 - x$^2$.

                          Desired conclusion quickly follows.






                          share|cite|improve this answer









                          $endgroup$
















                            0












                            0








                            0





                            $begingroup$

                            1 + 4x - x$^3$ = 1 + x(4 - x$^2$).

                            For all x in [0,2], 0 < x, 0 < 4 - x$^2$.

                            Desired conclusion quickly follows.






                            share|cite|improve this answer









                            $endgroup$



                            1 + 4x - x$^3$ = 1 + x(4 - x$^2$).

                            For all x in [0,2], 0 < x, 0 < 4 - x$^2$.

                            Desired conclusion quickly follows.







                            share|cite|improve this answer












                            share|cite|improve this answer



                            share|cite|improve this answer










                            answered Dec 15 '18 at 11:02









                            William ElliotWilliam Elliot

                            8,0862720




                            8,0862720






























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