We can define the absolute value \(|x|\) of any real number \(x\) as follows. \(|x|=x\) if \(x\ge0\) and \(|x|=-x\) if \(x<0\). What are \(|3|\), \(|-4.3|\) and \(|0|\)?
Prove that \(|x|\ge0\).
Prove that \(|x|\ge x\). It may be helpful to compare each of \(|3|\), \(|-4.3|\) and \(|0|\) with \(3\), \(-4.3\) and \(0\) respectively.
Two fractions sum up to \(1\), but their difference is \(\frac1{10}\). What are they?
In good conditions, bacteria in a Petri cup spread quite fast, doubling every second. If there was initially one bacterium, then in \(32\) seconds the bacteria will cover the whole surface of the cup.
Now suppose that there are initially \(4\) bacteria. At what time will the bacteria cover the surface of the cup?
A shop sells golf balls, golf clubs and golf hats. Golf balls can be purchased at a rate of \(25\) pennies for two balls. Golf hats cost \(\mathsterling1\) each. Golf clubs cost \(\mathsterling10\) each. At this shop, Ross purchased \(100\) items for a total cost of exactly \(\mathsterling100\) (Ross purchased at least one of each type of item). How many golf hats did Ross purchase?
Have you wondered if \(F_{-5}\) is possible? Here is how we can extend the Fibonacci sequence to the negative indices. The relation \(F_{n+1} = F_n + F_{n-1}\) can be rewritten as \(F_{n-1} = F_{n+1} - F_n\). We can simply define the Fibonacci sequence with negative indices with this formula. For example, \(F_{-1} = F_1 - F_0 = 1 - 0 = 1\).
Write out \(F_{-1}, F_{-2},\dots,F_{-10}\). What do you notice about the Fibonacci sequence with negative indices?
Show that there are no rational numbers \(a,b\) such that \(a^2 + b^2 = 3\).
Suppose \(x,y\) are real numbers such that \(x < y + \varepsilon\) for every \(\varepsilon > 0\). Show that \(x \leq y\).