TITLE: Proving that, $|f'(x)-f'(y)|\le k|x-y| \implies (f'(x))^2< 2 kf(x) $
QUESTION [10 upvotes]: Let $f:\Bbb R\to (0,\infty)$ be a differentiable function such that for some constant $k$ we have, $$|f'(x)-f'(y)|\le k|x-y|$$
  for all $x,y \in\Bbb R.$ Then prove that, $$(f'(x))^2<2 kf(x).$$

Due to lack of arguments I could not proof this inequality. But rather I proved that is true for the particular function, 
$$f(x) =\cos^2(x)+1\implies f'(x) = -\sin(2x).$$
And we readily have,$$|\sin(2x)-\sin(2y)| = \left|\int_{2x}^{2y}\cos t dt\right|\le 2|x-y|$$ as well 
$$(f'(x))^2 = 4 \sin^2 x\cos^2x < 4(\cos^2x +1) = 4f(x).$$
It is also true for the function $x\mapsto \sin^2x +1.$ 
From these example I don't see how to prove the general case. Any hint will be welcome.

REPLY [7 votes]: Fix $x \in \Bbb R$.
$f'$ is (Lipschitz) continuous and therefore integrable.
For any $d \ge 0$ we have
$$
0 < f(x+d) = f(x) + \int_x^{x+d} f'(t) \, dt
= f(x) + df'(x) + \int_x^{x+d}(f'(t) - f'(x)) \, dt \\
\le f(x) + df'(x) + \int_x^{x+d}k(t-x) \, dt \\
= f(x) + df'(x) + \frac 12 kd^2 
$$
and the same estimate holds for $d < 0$, because then
$$
 \int_x^{x+d}(f'(t) - f'(x)) \, dt = -\int_{x+d}^x(f'(t) - f'(x)) \, dt
 \le -\int_{x+d}^x k(t-x) \, dt = \frac 12 k d^2 \, .
$$
In particular for $d = -\frac{f'(x)}{k}$ we get
$$
 0 < f(x) - \frac{f'(x)^2}{k} + \frac{f'(x)^2}{2k}
 = f(x) - \frac{f'(x)^2}{2k}
$$
which is the desired conclusion.