Exercise Section2.

1
18. Let a,b ∈ ℝ, and suppose that for every ℰ > 0 we have a ≤ b + ℰ. Show that a ≤ b.
Answer :
𝑎−𝑏
Suppose that b < a then we have that 0 < a –b and then taking r = we have that
2
𝑎−𝑏 𝑎−𝑏 𝑎+𝑏 𝑎+𝑏
a≤b+ℰ=b+ . Since b + = we have that a ≤ which gives us that 2a ≤ a + b and
2 2 2 2
then therefore a ≤ b.
Thus, we have that b < a and a ≤ b which contradicts the Trichotomy Property. Hence, a ≤ b.
Exercise Section 2.2
9. Find all values of x that satisfy the following inequalities. Sketch graphs.
Answer :
𝑥 − 2 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 ≥ 2
Lets first consider the left- hand side of the inequality |𝑥 − 2| = {
−𝑥 + 2 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 < 2
Therefore, we have two cases :
Case 1 : x ≥ 2
Then |𝑥 − 2| = 𝑥 − 2 so we have 𝑥 − 2 ≤ 𝑥 + 1
−2 ≥ 1
That is correct for all x ∈ ℝ. Since this case is for all x ≥ 2 the final solution for this case is the
intersection of thee solutions, that is x ∈ [2, + ∞ ⟩.
Case 2 : x < 2
Then |𝑥 − 2|= -x +2 so we have
-x +2 ≤ x +1
-2x ≤ -1
1
x≥ 2
1
From there, x ∈ [2 , + ∞⟩. Since this case is for all x< 2 the final solution for this case is for all
1
x < 2 the final solution for this case intersection of these solutions, that is x ∈ [2 , 2⟩.

This solution to the given equation is the union of the solutions of both case, that is, the final
1
solution is x ∈ [2 , + ∞⟩.