Can You Tackle the Subset Chain Challenge in Math?

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the Subset Chain Challenge in mathematics, specifically addressing a problem involving a chain of subsets of a nonempty set \(X\) with \(n\) elements. The problem states that for every positive integer \(k \ge 2\log n\), there exists an index \(j\) such that the cardinality of the difference between consecutive subsets satisfies the inequality \(\operatorname{card}(S_j - S_{j-1}) \le \frac{2\operatorname{card}(S_{j-1})}{k}\log n\). The logarithm referenced is the natural logarithm, which is crucial for understanding the bounds on the subset sizes.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of set theory and subset relations
  • Familiarity with cardinality and its implications in set operations
  • Knowledge of logarithmic functions, specifically natural logarithms
  • Basic principles of mathematical proofs and inequalities
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the properties of chains in set theory and their implications
  • Explore advanced topics in cardinality and its applications
  • Learn about logarithmic inequalities and their proofs in mathematics
  • Investigate related problems in combinatorial set theory
USEFUL FOR

Mathematicians, students studying set theory, and anyone interested in combinatorial problems and inequalities in mathematics will benefit from this discussion.

Euge
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Here is this week's POTW:

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Let $X$ be a nonempty set of $n$ elements. Suppose $\emptyset \neq S_0 \subset S_1 \subset S_2\subset \cdots$ be a chain of subsets of $X$. Prove that to every positive integer $k \ge 2\log n$, there corresponds an index $j\in \{1,\ldots, k\}$ such that $$\operatorname{card}(S_j - S_{j-1}) \le \frac{2\operatorname{card}(S_{j-1})}{k}\log n$$

[Note: The logarithm here is the natural logarithm.]
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Remember to read the https://mathhelpboards.com/showthread.php?772-Problem-of-the-Week-%28POTW%29-Procedure-and-Guidelines to find out how to https://mathhelpboards.com/forms.php?do=form&fid=2!
 
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No one answered this week's problem. You can read my solution below.

If the result does not hold, then there exists an integer $k \ge 2\log n$ such that for all indices $j \in \{1,\ldots, k\}$, $$\operatorname{card}(S_j - S_{j-1}) > \frac{2\operatorname{card}(S_{j-1}}{k}\log n$$ Since $\operatorname{card}(S_j - S_{j-1}) = \operatorname{card}(S_j) - \operatorname{card}(S_{j-1})$, equivalently $$\operatorname{card}(S_j) > \left(1 + \frac{2}{k}\log n\right)\operatorname{card}(S_{j-1})$$ By the inequality $1 + 2x \ge e^x$ for all $x\in [0,1]$, it follows that for every $j$, $\operatorname{card}(S_j) > n^{1/k} \operatorname{card}(S_{j-1})$. Inductively, $\operatorname{card}(S_j) > n^{j/k}\operatorname{card}(S_0) \ge n^{j/k}$ for all $j$. In particular $\operatorname{card}(S_k) > n$, a contradiction.
 

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