Can $B \subseteq A$ Be Proven with Elements Defined as $2b-2$ and $2a$?

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SUMMARY

The proof that $B \subseteq A$ is established by defining the sets as $A = \{ m \in \Bbb{Z} | m = 2a \}$ and $B = \{ n \in \Bbb{Z} | n = 2b - 2 \}$. By letting $x = 2b - 2$ and substituting $a = b - 1$, it is shown that $x = 2a$, confirming that every element of $B$ can be expressed as an element of $A$. The discussion emphasizes the need for clarity in set definitions and notation, particularly in set-builder notation.

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tmt1
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let $A = \left\{ m \in \Bbb{Z} | m = 2a \right\}$ and let $B = \left\{ n \in \Bbb{Z} | n = 2b - 2 \right\}$

Prove that$ B \subseteq A$

My proof is:
let $x = 2b - 2$ for some int $b$ I need to show that $x = 2a$ for some int $a$.

let $a = b - 1$, $b$ is some integer therefore $a$ in this case is some integer. And $2a = 2b - 2$. since $x = 2b - 2$ then , then $x = 2a$ which is what was to be shown.Is this sufficient proof?
 
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Hi tmt,

The proof is correct, but I think there's a more straightforward way of presenting the same proof.

Given $n = 2b - 2 $, then $n=2(b-1)$. Let $a=b-1$, then $n=2a$. Hence, $B \subseteq A$.
 
tmt said:
let $A = \left\{ m \in \Bbb{Z} | m = 2a \right\}$ and let $B = \left\{ n \in \Bbb{Z} | n = 2b - 2 \right\}$
It is also better to define the sets $A$ and $B$ as follows.
\[
A = \{2a \mid a\in \Bbb{Z} \},\quad B = \{ 2b - 2 \mid b \in \Bbb{Z} \}
\]
In the original definition it is not clear what $a$ and $b$ are. In particular, it is not clear whether $m=2a$ for all $a$ (well, this is clearly not the case), $m=2a$ for some $a$ or whether $a$ comes from the surrounding context. Also, it is not clear what set $a$ and $b$ range over. If they range over reals, for example, then $1\in A$ since $1=2\cdot(1/2)$ and $1\in\Bbb Z$.

And finally, the vertical bar in the set-builder notation is best typeset with [m]\mid[/m]: it creates correct spaced on both sides.
 

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