Basic analysis: Proof by induction on sets

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on proving by induction that the set [a_{n} | n_{0} ≤ n ≤ n_{1}] is bounded. The base case is established with a_{1} ≤ a_{1} + 1. The inductive hypothesis assumes that for a given n, there exists an M ∈ R such that a_{n} ≤ M for all a_{n}. The challenge arises in extending this proof to a_{n+1}, where the suggestion is to consider the set {a_n | n_0 ≤ n ≤ n_1 + 1} and establish its bound as max{a_{n+1}, M}. The discussion also highlights the importance of clarifying whether "bounded" refers to both upper and lower bounds.

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Homework Statement


Prove by induction that the set [tex][a_{n} | n_{0}\leq n \leq n_{1}][/tex] is bounded.
[tex]a_{n}[/tex] are the elements of the sequence [tex](a_{n})[/tex]
[tex]n \in N[/tex]

Homework Equations


Definition of set bounded above:
[tex]\forall x \in S, \exists M \in R[/tex] such that [tex]x \leq M[/tex]


The Attempt at a Solution


Just proving its bounded above here...

Base step: [tex][a_{1}][/tex] The set has only 1 element and
[tex]a_{1} \leq a_{1} +1[/tex]

Now assume true for [tex]a_{n}[/tex]
[tex][a_{n}|n_{0}\leq n \leq n_{1}][/tex]
and [tex]\exists M \in R[/tex] such that [tex]a_{n} \leq M, <br /> forall a_{n}[/tex]

For [tex][a_{n+1}|n_{0} \leq n+1 \leq n_{1} ][/tex]
... well I'm not really sure what to do here. Normally you use the assumption to prove it true for n+1, but I'm not sure how to incorporate the assumption here.
Please help
 
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K29 said:
Now assume true for [tex]a_{n}[/tex]
[tex][a_{n}|n_{0}\leq n \leq n_{1}][/tex]
and [tex]\exists M \in R[/tex] such that [tex]a_{n} \leq M[/tex],
for all [tex]a_{n}[/tex]

For [tex][a_{n+1}|n_{0} \leq n+1 \leq n_{1} ][/tex]
... well I'm not really sure what to do here

To do induction, you should consider the set [tex]\{ a_n | n_0 \leq n \leq n_1+1 }[/tex]
Say its bound is max{a_{n+1}, M}.

"Bounded" might mean bounded below and above. If it means that in the problem, you should also do the workd for "bounded below".
 
Great stuff. solved. Thanks!
 

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