Cantor diagonalization argument

AI Thread Summary
Cantor's diagonalization argument demonstrates that for any countable list of real numbers, it is possible to construct a real number that is not included in that list. This implies that there cannot be a one-to-one correspondence between the set of real numbers and the set of integers. The key distinction is that the argument applies to countable lists rather than finite sets. Therefore, it reinforces the conclusion that the cardinality of the reals is greater than that of the integers. This foundational concept in set theory highlights the uncountability of the real numbers.
arshavin
Messages
21
Reaction score
0
sorry for starting yet another one of these threads :p

As far as I know, cantor's diagonal argument merely says-

if you have a list of n real numbers, then you can always find a real number not belonging to the list.

But this just means that you can't set up a 1-1 between the reals, and any finite set.

How does this show there is no 1-1 between reals, and the integers?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
arshavin said:
As far as I know, cantor's diagonal argument merely says-

if you have a list of n real numbers, then you can always find a real number not belonging to the list.

No. It says that if you have a countable list of real numbers, you can form one that isn't anywhere on the list.
 
CRGreathouse said:
No. It says that if you have a countable list of real numbers, you can form one that isn't anywhere on the list.
Crucial point being "countable" not "n". So there is "no 1-1 between reals, and the integers". Cantor's "list" is not finite.
 
I was reading documentation about the soundness and completeness of logic formal systems. Consider the following $$\vdash_S \phi$$ where ##S## is the proof-system making part the formal system and ##\phi## is a wff (well formed formula) of the formal language. Note the blank on left of the turnstile symbol ##\vdash_S##, as far as I can tell it actually represents the empty set. So what does it mean ? I guess it actually means ##\phi## is a theorem of the formal system, i.e. there is a...
Back
Top