<s>[INST] Prove that $x^2 + xy + y^2 \ge 0$ by contradiction Using the fact that $x^2 + 2xy + y^2 = (x + y)^2 \ge 0$, show that the assumption $x^2 + xy + y^2 < 0$ leads to a contradiction...
So do I start off with...
"Assume that $x^2 + xy + y^2 <0$, then blah blah blah"?
It seems true...because then I go $(x^2 + 2xy + y^2) - (x^2 + xy + y^2) \ge 0$.
It becomes $2xy - xy \ge 0$, then $xy \ge 0$.
How is this a contradiction? 
I think I'm missing some key point.  
 [/INST] Assume $x^2+xy+y^2<0$. Adding and subtracting $xy$ on the left-hand side gives $x^2+2xy+y^2-xy=(x+y)^2-xy<0$, and therefore $0\leq(x+y)^2<xy$. Conversely, $x^2+xy+y^2<0$ implies $xy<-(x^2+y^2)\leq0$. Combining these, we have $$xy<0<xy,$$ a clear contradiction.
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