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Prove by contradiction that the interval (a,
b.has no minimum element.

1 Answer

6 votes

Assume (a,b) has a minimum element m.


m is in the interval so a < m < b.


a < m


Adding a to both sides,


2a < a + m


Adding m to both sides of the first inequality,


a + m < 2m


So


2a < a+m < 2m


a < (a+m)/2 < m < b


Since the average (a+m)/2 is in the range (a,b) and less than m, that contradicts our assumption that m is the minimum. So we conclude there is no minimum since given any purported minimum we can always compute something smaller in the range.


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User Ethan Post
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