Proving that the maximum of two convex functions is also convex

Here's a homework question I'm struggling with:

Let $f,g$ two convex functions. Prove that $h(x)=\max\{f(x),g(x)\}$ is also convex

I don't know where to begin. The only thing I had in mind was was to try proving that if a function is convex on two sets $A$ and $B$, it is also convex on their union. That does not seem right though, for example, if I glue together $f(x)=x^2, g(x)=\frac{x^2}{1000}$ where $f$ is defined on $[0,1]$ and $g$ on $(1,2]$.

Anyway, that was the only thing I thought about. Any better ideas? thanks!

Solution 1:

The hint of @Did solves the problem, but there is another proof, which is more intuitive I think.

A function is convex if and only if the area above its graph is convex. But then, the region above $h(x) = \max\{f(x),g(x)\}$ is the intersection of the area above $f$ and the region above $g$. Moreover, intersection of convex sets is convex, and that concludes the proof.

Solution 2:

Hint: Use the characterization that $h$ is convex if and only if, for every $t$ in $[0,1]$ and every $(x,y)$, $h(tx+(1-t)y)\leqslant th(x)+(1-t)h(y)$.

Second hint: One wants to prove that $h(z)\leqslant th(x)+(1-t)h(y)$ where $z=tx+(1-t)y$. Since $h=\max\{f,g\}$, this is equivalent to the two inequalities $$ f(z)\leqslant th(x)+(1-t)h(y),\qquad g(z)\leqslant th(x)+(1-t)h(y). $$ Consider the first inequality. By convexity of $f$, one knows that $f(z)\leqslant tf(x)+(1-t)f(y)$. Furthermore, $f(x)\leqslant$ $____$ and $f(y)\leqslant$ $____$, hence...