Proving Q is a Lattice but Not a (sigma)-Lattice

  • Thread starter Thread starter beeftrax
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Lattice
AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on proving that the field of rational numbers Q is a lattice but not a (sigma)-lattice under the usual order. Initially, there is confusion regarding the existence of suprema for certain intervals, specifically questioning if Q qualifies as a lattice due to the supremum of the interval [0,1] being 1. However, it is clarified that 1 is indeed the least upper bound of [0,1], affirming Q's status as a lattice. The conversation also touches on the supremum of intervals that include irrational numbers, concluding that the lack of a supremum for non-finite subsets does not disqualify Q from being a lattice. Ultimately, the participants reach a consensus on the properties of Q as a lattice.
beeftrax
Messages
9
Reaction score
0
I'm reading "A Course in Advanced Calculus" by Robert Borden, and one of the problems begins as follows:

"Prove that the field Q is a lattice, but not a (sigma)-lattice, under the usual order" (pg.25)

Q is of course the rational numbers.

However, Q doesn't seem to be a lattice, since the supremum of, say, [0,1] doesn't exist, since given any upper bound eg 1.1, a smaller upper bound eg 1.01 that is still in Q can be found.

So is Q not in fact a lattice, or am I missing something?

I apologize if this is in the wrong forum.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
1 is a least upper bound of [0, 1]
 
It is, isn't it. I feel silly. At the risk of getting another simple answer to a stupid question, what about an interval between 0 and a positive irrational number, say sqrt(2). Does the supremum of such an interval lie within Q?
 
On further thought, I'll answer my own question (or try to). The subset I described isn't finite, so it's lack of a supremum doesn't mean that Q isn't a lattice.
 
Exactly right.
 
I was reading a Bachelor thesis on Peano Arithmetic (PA). PA has the following axioms (not including the induction schema): $$\begin{align} & (A1) ~~~~ \forall x \neg (x + 1 = 0) \nonumber \\ & (A2) ~~~~ \forall xy (x + 1 =y + 1 \to x = y) \nonumber \\ & (A3) ~~~~ \forall x (x + 0 = x) \nonumber \\ & (A4) ~~~~ \forall xy (x + (y +1) = (x + y ) + 1) \nonumber \\ & (A5) ~~~~ \forall x (x \cdot 0 = 0) \nonumber \\ & (A6) ~~~~ \forall xy (x \cdot (y + 1) = (x \cdot y) + x) \nonumber...
Back
Top