To prove this inequality we need to consider three cases. We need to see that the equation is symmetric and that switching the variables x and y does not change the equation.
Thus, we can say that x^y >= 1, and since y^x > 0.
x^y + y^x > 1
By symmetry, 0 < x < 1, y >= 1, also yields the same.
Case 3: 0 < x, y < 1
We can prove this case by fixing one variable at a time and by invoking symmetry to prove the relation.
Fixing the variable y, we can set the expression as a function,
f(x) = x^y + y^x f'(x) = y*x^(y-1) + y^x*ln y For all x > 0 and y > 0, it is obvious that f'(x) > 0.
Hence, the function f(x) is increasing and hence the function f(x) would be at its minimum when x -> 0+ (this means close to zero but always greater than zero).
lim x->0+ f(x) = 0^y + y^0 = 0 + 1 = 1
Thus, this tells us that
f(x) > 1.
Fixing variable y, by symmetry also yields the same result: f(x) > 1.
Hence, when x and y are varying, f(x) > 1 must also hold true. Thus, x^y + y^x > 1.
We have exhausted all the possible cases and shown that the relation holds true for all cases. Therefore,
