Le t x ∈ A + B ; t he n x = a + b

fo r s om e a ∈ A , b ∈ B . B e c a u s e i n f im a
are low er b ou n ds , a ≥ inf A, b ≥ in f B ,
t hu s x = a + b ≥ in f A + in f B .

S in c e x wa s a n a r b it r a r y e le m e nt of

A + B, t hi s pro ve s th a t in f A + in f

B is a lo w er bo u nd of A + B; in
p a rt ic u l a r , in f ( A + B ) ≥ i nf A + in f B .

F or t h e c onv ers e i n e q u a l it y , le t ε > 0 be

a p os i t i v e n u m b e r . T hen in f A < in f

A + ε / 2 t hu s t h e re e x is t s a ∈ A s u c h
th a t a < i n f A + ε /2 . Si m i l a r ly ,

th e re e x i s t s i n f A < in f A + ε / 2 t hu s

t h e re e x is t s b ∈ B s u ch t h a t b < in f B +
 ε / 2 . T h en in f (A +B ) ≤ a + b < i n f A + i n f
B +ε ; s in c e ε > 0 is a rb i t ra r y , t h i s
i m p l i e s i n f (A + B ) ≤ i n f A + i n f B . H a v in g

pr ov e d in f (A + B) ≥ in f A + in f B and

i n f (A + B ) ≤ in f A + in f B , w e a re

done .