Is $\lvert a-b\rvert\le\lvert a\rvert+\lvert b\rvert$ always true?

Question

I wonder if $\lvert a-b\rvert\le\lvert a\rvert+\lvert b\rvert$ is always true.

I think it is true, but I don't see how to prove this mathematically.

Thanks.

Answer 1

By the triangle inequality $|a+b|\le |a|+|b|$, so also, $$|a-b|=|a+(-b)|\le |a|+|-b|=|a|+|b|$$

Answer 2

$$|a-b|=|a+(-b)|\leq |a|+|-b|=|a|+|b|$$

Answer 3

Assume $|a+b|\leq |a|+|b|$. Then $|a-b|=|a+(-b)|\leq |a|+|(-b)|=|a|+|b|$.

Answer 4

If you want to prove the triangle inequality, consider proving $$|a+b|\leq |a|+|b|$$

when $\{a\leq 0, b\geq 0$}, $\{a,b \geq 0\}$, and then reason why that would also cover the cases $\{a\geq 0, b\leq 0\}$ and $\{a,b\leq 0\}$.