# Quick question about comparing functions.

Suppose I have functions f and g; is there any theorem or technique that I can use to know if $f(x) \leq g(x)$ or if $f(x) \geq g(x)$ or neither in a given interval?

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Equivalently, you're asking for ways to prove if $h(x)$ is nonnegative or nonpositive within a given interval, where $h(x)=f(x)-g(x)$... –  Ｊ. Ｍ. Jul 7 '12 at 14:17
I can sure have $h(x)=f(x)-g(x)$ but the problems is, I wouldn't know in what interval would it be nonnegative or nonpositive. It's more interesting and convenient if I'd know if it is nonnegative or nonpositive when I $\underline{already}$ have an interval. –  Dystopian Jul 7 '12 at 14:49
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## 1 Answer

I don't know if this is helpful and it doesn't solve your general problem, but as an example: if you have sat two real valued (differentiable) functions $f$ and $g$ defined on the same say closed interval $[a, b]$ of the real numbers, you could for example note that say $f(a) > g(a)$ for the left endpoint of the interval and then note that the derivative of $f$ is greater than or equal to the derivative of $g$ on the whole interval. If this is all so, then you would be able to conclude that $f(x) > g(x)$ for all x in the interval. But again, this approach would only apply to a small set of functions.

Another idea could be to (as above) first note that $f$ is greater than $g$ at some point in the interval and then show that $f(x) = g(x)$ does not have any solutions. Then $f$ clearly would be greater than $g$ on the whole interval.

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Oh, yeah I'm getting what you're trying to say. This is similar to the first derivative test. From what I understood: If the derivative of f is greater than g for all values of x in the given interval, then we could say that the values of f is greater than g in the given interval. Is that it? –  Dystopian Jul 7 '12 at 14:32
Almost. You also need that $f(a) > g(a)$ for a left endpoint of the interval. If you don't have $f$ being greater than $g$ at a point, then it isn't true. –  Thomas Jul 7 '12 at 14:34
Oh yeah, I've forgotten that stipulation. Many thanks, you just saved me from all that strenuous graphing work. –  Dystopian Jul 7 '12 at 14:43
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