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Question on vector modulus sum

 
 
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Question on vector modulus sum
by Tina Jin - Sunday, July 2, 2023, 1:39 PM
 

Hello!

I see that in the book, 

|z_1-z_2|=|z_1|-|z_2|. How to prove this?

Also, how do you prove that |z_1+z_2|=|z_1|+|z_2|?

Thanks!

Tina Jin

 
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Re: Question on vector modulus sum
by Dr. Kevin Wang - Tuesday, July 11, 2023, 12:54 AM
 

These are not true.

I assume this is the MC III Algebra course, the Chapter on complex numbers.  The triangle inequality

$$|z_1 + z_2| \leq |z_1| + |z_2|$$

can be proved by the geometric interpretation of these numbers on the complex plane.  The other inequality $$|z_1 - z_2| \geq | |z_1| - |z_2| |$$ is a direct consequence of the one above.