A quadratic function sends any interval of length 1 to an interval of length at least 1.
Prove that for any interval of length 2, the length of the interval is at least 4.
Solution
If and is the abscissa of parabola's vertex, then, taking , the interval has length , hence .
Now, taking an interval of length 2, one can find such that and .
We have , therefore contains two points at least 4 units apart, whence the conclusion.
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