How can the set of the rational numbers be countable if there is no

In summary, we can count the next natural number, but we can't count the next rational number. The definition of countable means that we can assign a natural number to each of them. One way to count them is by starting with 1/1 and writing down all rational numbers in any order, assigning a natural number to each. However, due to the infinite nature of rational numbers, we will never reach the "very next" rational number from 1. The cardinality of the rationals is at most the same as that of the natural numbers, and they are dense in the real numbers.
  • #1
student34
639
21
rational number to count the next rational number from any rational number?

We can count the next natural number, but we can't count the next rational numer.
 
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  • #2
The definition of countable means, that you can assign a natural number to each of them.
Well, here's one way to count them:

fraction_grid2.gif
 
  • #3
student34 said:
rational number to count the next rational number from any rational number?

We can count the next natural number, but we can't count the next rational numer.

Starting with, say, 1/1, write down all the rational numbers in whichever order you like. Label the starting number as Rational Number 1. As you generate the next rational number, write it down (as a / b) and then write the next natural number down next to it. Continue until you run out of either rational numbers or natural numbers ...

Actually, you won't run out of either. They are in a one-to-one correspondence. The difference from the normal way of thinking about finite counting lies in the fact that you will never run out of natural numbers. This concept underlies many mathematical ideas but it may hurt your brain until you get the idea. :smile:

Interestingly, you can't do the same with real numbers. Look up Cantor's diagonal method.
 
  • #4
CompuChip said:
The definition of countable means, that you can assign a natural number to each of them.
Well, here's one way to count them:

fraction_grid2.gif

If we really can assign a natural number to each of them, can you assign a natural number to the very next rational number from the number 1?
 
  • #5
student34 said:
If we really can assign a natural number to each of them, can you assign a natural number to the very next rational number from the number 1?
Yes. This is what CompuChip's picture is showing. The first 11 positive rational numbers (when they are ordered as in that picture) are

1. 1
2. 1/2
3. 2
4. 3
5. 1/3 (We're skipping 2/2, since it's equal to 1, which is already on the list).
6. 1/4
7. 2/3
8. 3/2
9. 4
10. 5
11. 1/5 (We're skipping 4/2, 3/3 and 2/4, since they are equal to numbers that are already on the list).

The only problem with that picture is that it only deals with positive rational numbers. You can however easily imagine a similar picture that includes the negative ones.
 
  • #6
student34 said:
If we really can assign a natural number to each of them, can you assign a natural number to the very next rational number from the number 1?

In principle, yes. You just keep extending the table of rational numbers, labelling each one with a natural number, until you reach the "very next" rational number from 1. The trick lies in recognizing that (physical limitations aside), there is always another rational number between the "very next" rational number and 1, so you'll never actually do it, but if you keep trying you will always be able to assign a natural number to each one.

eg, halving the difference ...

label '1' as number 1 in your list. Start with 3/2 (1+1/2) and label it '2'. Then the "next" rational number (number '3') will be 5/4 ((1+3/2)/2), the next 9/8 (number '4') and so on. You can keep dividing by 2 and incrementing the label indefinitely - you will never run out of natural numbers or rational numbers that keep getting closer to 1

https://www.physicsforums.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=55160&stc=1&d=1359454296

https://www.physicsforums.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=55159&stc=1&d=1359453948
 
Last edited:
  • #7
Of course, if you want to be very precise: there are duplicates in the tabulation of the rationals (for example, it contains 1/2, 2/4, 3/6, 34672/69344, etc). So technically you are not really making a one-to-one mapping, but you are overcounting.

In other words, you are proving that the cardinality of the rationals is at most the same as that of the natural numbers. However, since we clearly also have at least as many rationals as natural numbers (the natural numbers are precisely the first column of the grid), you can convince yourself that the cardinalities are equal.
 
  • #8
another way to map the rationals to the naturals is take the
positive rationals of the form [itex] \frac{p}{q} [/itex] and map them to
[itex] 2^p3^q [/itex] and then map the negative rationals to
[itex] 5^{|-p|}7^{|-q|}[/itex] and then map zero to some other prime.
In fact we are mapping all the rationals to a proper subset of the naturals.
 
  • #9
I also wanted to get back to your remark about "the next" rational number from 1... note that the rationals are dense in the real numbers. That implies that there is a rational number between any two given rationals, and therefore it is not possible to write them down in "ascending" order (i.e. write down a sequence an such that every rational is in the sequence and 0 = a0 < a1 < a2 < ...).

This may be flaw in your way of picturing the rationals that makes their countability, perhaps, a bit counter-intuitive.
 

1. How can the set of rational numbers be countable if there is no "next" number?

The concept of "next" number only applies to finite sets of numbers. In an infinite set, such as the rational numbers, there is no "next" number because there is always another number between any two numbers. Therefore, the set of rational numbers can still be countable despite not having a "next" number.

2. How can we prove that the set of rational numbers is countable?

One way to prove that the set of rational numbers is countable is by using a one-to-one correspondence between the rational numbers and the natural numbers. This means that for every rational number, there is a unique natural number assigned to it. This can be done by ordering the rational numbers in a specific way, such as in a diagonal or spiral pattern, and assigning a natural number to each one.

3. Can the set of rational numbers be uncountable?

No, the set of rational numbers is countable and therefore cannot be uncountable. This is because the set of rational numbers can be put into a one-to-one correspondence with the natural numbers, which is the definition of countability. An uncountable set would not be able to be put into a one-to-one correspondence with the natural numbers.

4. What is the difference between countable and uncountable sets?

A countable set is a set that can be put into a one-to-one correspondence with the natural numbers. This means that every element in the set can be assigned a unique natural number. An uncountable set, on the other hand, cannot be put into a one-to-one correspondence with the natural numbers. This means that there is no way to assign a unique natural number to every element in the set.

5. Why is it important to understand the countability of sets?

Understanding the countability of sets is important in many areas of mathematics, such as in real analysis and topology. It allows us to determine the size and structure of different sets, and helps us to better understand the properties and relationships between sets. It also has practical applications in computer science and data analysis, where the countability of sets can impact the efficiency of algorithms and data storage methods.

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