If a < b, then a^3 < b^3. True or False?
True:
Proof:
Case 1:
If a > b and a and b are both positive, then
there exists positive x such that
b = a + x
Cubing both sides of the equation
a + x = b
(a+x)^3 = b^3
a^3 + 3a^2x + 3ax^2 + x^3 = b^3
Then k = 3a^2x + 3ax^2 + x^3 is positive, therefore
there exists positive number k so that a^3 + k = b^3
Case 2:
If a > b and a is negative and b is positive, then a^3
is negative and b^3 is positive and any positive number
is greater than any negative number.
Case 3:
If a > b and a is negative and b is negative, then -b > -a > 0, and by
Case 1
(-b)^3 > (-a)^3
-b^3 > -a^3
a^3 > b^3
Case 4:
If a > b and b = 0 Then a > 0 and a^3 > 0, so b^3 > a^3
Case 5:
If a > b and a = 0, then b < 0 and b^3 < 0 so b^3 < a^3 or a^3 > b^3
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