Differentiate the Friedmann equation
and use the cosmological perfect-fluid continuity equation
After dividing by ,
Since , eliminating the curvature term gives the Friedmann acceleration equation
Under the strong energy condition in a Friedmann universe, , so . Therefore
and wherever ,
If , integrating the inequality backward shows that reaches zero no later than . Thus and at a finite time in the past. If , the same argument forward in time makes and at a finite future time. The sign of distinguishes an expanding universe with a past Big Bang from a contracting universe ending in a Big Crunch. Hence a Friedmann universe obeying the strong energy condition cannot remain nonsingular for unlimited proper time in both directions.