Application of Supremum Property .... Garling, Remarks on Theorem 3.1.1

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the application of the Supremum Property as presented in D. J. H. Garling's "A Course in Mathematical Analysis: Volume I." Specifically, it addresses the remarks following Theorem 3.1.1, which involve the existence of least positive integers ##q_0## and ##p_0## that satisfy certain inequalities related to the Archimedean Property. Participants clarify that the existence of such integers is guaranteed by the Archimedean Principle, which states that for any positive real number, there exists a positive integer that exceeds its reciprocal. The discussion emphasizes the rigorous justification of these statements and their implications in the context of convergent sequences.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the Archimedean Property in real analysis
  • Familiarity with convergent sequences and their properties
  • Knowledge of basic mathematical proofs and logical reasoning
  • Ability to interpret mathematical notation and inequalities
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  • Study the Archimedean Property in detail, particularly its proof and applications
  • Explore the concept of convergent sequences in greater depth, focusing on their limits
  • Review the structure and implications of Theorem 3.1.1 in Garling's text
  • Practice rigorous proof writing in real analysis to enhance understanding of mathematical arguments
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Mathematics students, educators, and anyone studying real analysis, particularly those interested in the foundations of convergent sequences and the application of the Archimedean Property in proofs.

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TL;DR
Concerns properties of the positive real numbers including an explicit procedure for determining a rational r with ##x \lt r \lt y## where ##x \gt 0## ...
I am reading D. J. H. Garling's book: "A Course in Mathematical Analysis: Volume I: Foundations and Elementary Real Analysis ... ...

I am focused on Chapter 3: Convergent Sequences

I need some help to fully understand some remarks by Garling made after the proof of Theorem 3.1.1 ...Garling's statement and proof of Theorem 3.1.1 (together with the interesting remarks) reads as follows:
Garling - 1 - Theorem 3.1.1 ...  ... PART 1 ... .png

Garling - 2 - Theorem 3.1.1 ...  ... PART 2 ... .png
My questions on the remarks after the proof are as follows:
Question 1

In the remarks after the proof of Theorem 3.1.1 we read the following:

" ... ... There exists a least positive integer, ##q_0##, say, such that ##1/q_0 \lt y - x## ... ... "Can someone please explain exactly (rigorously) why this is true ... ..

Question 2

In the remarks after the proof of Theorem 3.1.1 we read the following:

" ... ... and there then exists a least integer,##p_0##, say, such that ##x \lt p_0 / q_0## ... ..."Can someone please explain exactly (rigorously) why this is true ... ..
Question 3

In the remarks after the proof of Theorem 3.1.1 we read the following:

" ... ... Then ##x \lt p_0 / q_0 \lt y## and ##r_0 = p_o / q_0## is uniquely determined ... ... "Can someone please explain exactly (rigorously) why this is true ... ..Help will be appreciated ...

Peter
 
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Have you established the archimedian property at this point?
 
The Archimedian Property is proved as Part (ii) of the proof of Theorem 3.1.1 ... so I think that as far as the remarks after the theorem are concerned we can take the Archimedian Property as proved ... ...

Peter
 
Q1: We prove there is an positive integer ##n## such that ##1/n < y-x##. Suppose not, then for all positive integers we have ##1/n \geq y-x## and thus ##n \leq 1/(y-x)## for all positive integers ##n##, contradicting archimedian principle.

Now that we know that there is such an integer, we can take it minimal and we call it ##p_0.##

I guess the other questions are proven similarly. Let me know if this helps. I find these questions always difficult to answer because I use these properties all the times.
 
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Math_QED said:
Q1: We prove there is an positive integer ##n## such that ##1/n < y-x##. Suppose not, then for all positive integers we have ##1/n \geq y-x## and thus ##n \leq 1/(y-x)## for all positive integers ##n##, contradicting archimedian principle.

Now that we know that there is such an integer, we can take it minimal and we call it ##p_0.##

I guess the other questions are proven similarly. Let me know if this helps. I find these questions always difficult to answer because I use these properties all the times.
Thanks Math_QED ...

Yes ... get the idea ...

Peter
 

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