Proving Cauchy Sequence Subsequences

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    Cauchy Sequence
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around proving that every subsequence of a Cauchy sequence is itself a Cauchy sequence. Participants explore formal proof techniques, definitions, and the necessary conditions for such a proof, primarily in the context of a real analysis class.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant seeks help in proving that every subsequence of a Cauchy sequence is a Cauchy sequence.
  • Another participant suggests that if \{x_{n_{k}}\} is a subsequence of \{x_{n}\}, then the same 'N' that works for \{x_{n}\} also applies to \{x_{n_{k}}\}.
  • A participant questions whether the proof should include the formal \epsilon definition of Cauchy sequences.
  • There is a discussion about the appropriate level of detail for the proof, with one participant suggesting that a full \epsilon treatment would be best for an undergraduate audience.
  • Another participant emphasizes the importance of stating the hypothesis and what needs to be proven, providing a structure for the proof.
  • Several participants discuss tools and utilities for creating PDF documents from TeX source files, sharing their experiences with different software options.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the need for a formal proof structure and the relevance of the \epsilon definition, but there is no consensus on the exact approach to take or the level of detail required. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the best method to present the proof.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty about the formal requirements of the proof and the specific definitions involved, indicating a need for clarity on the assumptions and conditions necessary for the proof to hold.

Who May Find This Useful

Students and educators in real analysis or related fields may find this discussion useful, particularly those interested in the properties of Cauchy sequences and formal proof techniques.

clueles
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I need help on trying to prove

that every subsequence of a cauchy sequence is a cauchy sequence
 
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If [itex]\{x_{n_{k}}\}[/itex] is a subsequence of {[tex]x_{n}[/tex]}, then for all [tex]k[/tex], [tex]n_{k} \ge k[/tex]. So the '[tex]N[/tex]' that works for {[tex]x_{n}[/tex]} also works for {[tex]x_{n_{k}}[/tex]}
 
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is that how you would write a formal proof or would you the for any epsilon>0 there exists an n in i such that abs(sm-sn)<epsilon
 
The answer to that depends on the audience. What is your situation?
 
college level for a real analysis class
 
Please note the small change I made in the proof. At the undergraduate level, probably the full [tex]\epsilon[/tex] treatment would be best. Are you up to it?
 
Yes we are up to that part but I'm not sure how to even start it. Do we need to say for all [tex]\epsilon[/tex]> there exists a n,m /geqN such that abs(Snk-Smk)<E?
 
I'd start with the definition of a subsequence.
Also, always write down the hypothesis (what you know) and what you need to prove:

Let [itex]\{x_{n_k}\}[/itex] be a subsequence of [itex]\{x_n\}[/itex].

You are given that for every [itex]\epsilon>0[/itex], there exists an integer N>0, such that:

[tex]m,n > N \Rightarrow |x_n-x_m|<\epsilon[/itex]<br /> <br /> You need to prove that for every [itex]\epsilon>0[/itex] there exists an integer N>0, such that:<br /> <br /> [tex]m_k,n_k > N \Rightarrow |x_{n_k}-x_{m_k}|<\epsilon[/tex]<br /> <br /> All I've done is written down the problem in different terms, but the answer is practically staring you in the face (hopefully).[/tex]
 
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Galileo said:
[itex]\{x_{n_k}\}[/itex]

I'm just starting to use tex and I only know what I see in other people's examples. Your stuff is nice and I learned a lot from it. Do you know of a Windows utility that will take a tex source file and create a pdf file from it?
 
  • #10
jimmysnyder said:
I'm just starting to use tex and I only know what I see in other people's examples. Your stuff is nice and I learned a lot from it. Do you know of a Windows utility that will take a tex source file and create a pdf file from it?

Yes, WinEdt will do that for you. I think you have to register it or something. I use it often to create pdf's.
The only advantage of not registering is annoying popup reminders every 15 seconds or so. I actually use a different editor and use only WinEdt for creating the pdf's.
 
  • #11
Thanks, I will look into winedt. In the meantime, I found a fairly large package called miktex which has a utility with the unlikely name of pdftex that turns tex into pdf.
 
  • #12
TeXnic Center is the IDE that I use in general. It has full TeX-to-pdf capability and is built to work with Miktex as well (it requires a TeX install to work, of course). Free too~

It's a little hard to find these days though (although it is quite popular).

If you want, I can probably find somewhere to host it for a few days. It's only about 5mb.
 
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  • #13
You don't, as far as I can recall (linux for the last 3 years), need any of those IDE's or such. To use latex on MS you need Miktex installed. That comes with the program pdflatex, I think, that creates the pdf for you. It means learning to love the command line though. just type

pdflatex foo.tex

from inside the directory where foo.tex is stored and it outputs a pdf file for you. The installation also comes with dvips which creates a post script file from the pdf. There are other format generators too, including latex2html, though I've no idea if anyone acutally uses this anymore.
 

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