Max Operation is Commutative

Theorem

The Max operation is commutative:

$\map \max {x, y} = \map \max {y, x}$

Proof

To simplify our notation:

Let $\map \max {x, y}$ be (temporarily) denoted $x \overline \wedge y$

There are three cases to consider:

$(1): \quad x \le y$

$(2): \quad y \le x$

$(3): \quad x = y$

$(1): \quad$ Let $x \le y$.

Then:

\(\ds x \overline \wedge y\)

\(=\)

\(\ds y\)

\(\ds = y \overline \wedge x\)

$(2): \quad$ Let $y \le x$.

Then:

\(\ds x \overline \wedge y\)

\(=\)

\(\ds x\)

\(\ds = y \overline \wedge x\)

$(3): \quad$ Let $x = y$.

Then:

\(\ds x \overline \wedge y\)

\(=\)

\(\ds x = y\)

\(\ds = y \overline \wedge x\)

Thus $\overline \wedge$, that is $\max$, has been shown to be commutative in all cases.

$\blacksquare$

Also see

• Min Operation is Commutative