Max–min inequality

In mathematics, the max–min inequality is as follows: When equality holds one says that f, W, and Z satisfies a strong max–min property (or a saddle-point property).

f ( z , w ) = sin ⁡ ( z + w )

illustrates that the equality does not hold for every function.

A theorem giving conditions on f, W, and Z which guarantee the saddle point property is called a minimax theorem.

Define

inf

by definition of the infimum being a lower bound.

by definition of the supremum being an upper bound.

making

an upper bound on

Because the supremum is the least upper bound,

holds for all

From this inequality, we also see that

is a lower bound on

By the greatest lower bound property of infimum,

inf

Putting all the pieces together, we get

inf

inf

inf

which proves the desired inequality.