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Not a duplicate of

If $a\leq b$ and $-a\leq b$, then $|a|\leq b$.

if $-a\leq b\leq a$, then $|b|\leq a$

Is my proof of $|a| \leq b \iff -b \leq a \leq b$ correct?

Prove that for all real numbers $a$ and $b$, $|a| \leq b$ iff $-b \leq a \leq b$

This is exercise $3.5.12.a$ from the book How to Prove it by Velleman $($$2^{nd}$ edition$)$:

Prove that for all real numbers $a$ and $b$, $|a|\leq b$ iff $-b\leq a\leq b$.

I am familiar with the routine proof of the above theorem but I was wondering whether we could prove the right-to-left direction of the above theorem in the following simple way:

Suppose $-b\leq a\leq b$. Since $a\leq b$ then $a\leq b$ or $-a\leq b$ and thus by definition $|a|\leq b$. Therefore if $-b\leq a\leq b$ then $|a|\leq b$. $Q.E.D.$

I am suspicious of my proof! Is it correct$?$ If not, then why$?$

Thanks for your attention.

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  • $\begingroup$ This is not at all correct. $\endgroup$ – user598858 Jul 17 '20 at 12:04
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When you said "Since $a\le b$ then $a\le b$ or $-a\le b$",

you should have said since $a\le b$ then $a\le b$ and since $-b\le a$ then $b\ge -a$.

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  • $\begingroup$ I know that but my conclusion is of the form $P$ or $Q$. I have $P$. Am I not allowed to conclude without justification that $P$ or $Q?$ $\endgroup$ – Khashayar Baghizadeh Jul 17 '20 at 12:05
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    $\begingroup$ To prove $|a|\le b$, you really need $P$ and $Q$ $\endgroup$ – J. W. Tanner Jul 17 '20 at 12:09
  • $\begingroup$ So why when we prove the left-to-right direction, we break it up into cases as if it is $P$ or $Q?$ $\endgroup$ – Khashayar Baghizadeh Jul 17 '20 at 12:11
  • $\begingroup$ $P$ and $Q$ implies $P$ or $Q$, but not the reverse $\endgroup$ – J. W. Tanner Jul 17 '20 at 12:40

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