Analysis - Cauchy caracterisation of completeness

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the completeness of ordered fields, specifically using the monotone bounded sequence property as the completeness axiom as presented in "Classical Analysis" by Marsden & Hoffman. It establishes that every bounded monotone sequence converges and is logically equivalent to the least upper bound property. The user seeks to verify the equivalence of Cauchy sequences and completeness, concluding that while "Every Cauchy sequence converges" is not equivalent to completeness, the combination of "Cauchy complete" and the Archimedean property does equate to the completeness axiom. The user successfully finds the proof for this assertion.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of ordered fields and their properties
  • Familiarity with Cauchy sequences and their definitions
  • Knowledge of the least upper bound property
  • Basic concepts of mathematical proofs and logical equivalence
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the relationship between Cauchy sequences and completeness in real analysis
  • Explore the Archimedean property and its implications in ordered fields
  • Review proofs related to the monotone convergence theorem
  • Investigate the implications of the completeness axiom in functional analysis
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Mathematics students, particularly those studying real analysis, educators teaching ordered fields, and anyone interested in the foundational properties of completeness in mathematical structures.

quasar987
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Homework Statement


In my book (Classical Analysis by Marsdsen & Hoffman), they use the monotone bounded sequence property as the completeness axiom. That is to say, they call complete an ordered field in which every bounded monotone sequence converges and they argue that there is a unique (up to order preserving field isomorphism) complete ordered field that we call the reals.

Then they clearly show that the completeness axiom is logically equivalent to the least upper bound property (if a subset of the reals is bounded above, then the supremum exists [i.e. is real]). They then start talking about Cauchy sequences and "hint" that the statement "Every Cauchy sequence converges" is also logically equivalent to the completeness axiom. That's what I want to verify.

The Attempt at a Solution



The "==>" part is already taken care of in the text because we used the completeness axiom to prove a lemma to the thm that every Cauchy sequence converges.

But I'm struggling a bit with the "<==" side in showing that every bounded monotone sequence is Cauchy.

I'll keep thinking about it an update this thread if I find something. Meanwhile, a hint would be post welcome :smile:
 
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quasar987 said:
They then start talking about Cauchy sequences and "hint" that the statement "Every Cauchy sequence converges" is also logically equivalent to the completeness axiom. That's what I want to verify.
It's not. However, "Cauchy complete + Archmedian property" is equivalent to the completeness axiom.
 
Ok, thanks! :-p

Edit: I found the proof.
 
Last edited:

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