Are 5/27 and 8/9 in the Cantor Set?

In summary, the conversation discusses determining whether 5/27 and 8/9 are in the Cantor set. The equations for C_2 and C_3 are provided, with the correct interval for C_3 being [0,1/27]\cup[2/27,3/27]\cup[6/27,7/27]\cup[8/27,9/27]\cup..., meaning that 5/27 is not in the Cantor set.
  • #1
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Homework Statement



I am trying to find if 5/27 and 8/9 are in the Cantor set.

Homework Equations



[tex]C_2=[0,1/9]\cup[2/9,3/9]\cup...\cup[8/9,1][/tex]

[tex]C_3=[0,1/27]\cup[2/27,3/27]\cup[4/27,5/27]\cup...\cup[26/27,1][/tex]

The Attempt at a Solution



I have: [tex]8/9=(0.22)_3[/tex]
and it is an endpoint in one of the closed sets of C2, so it is in the Cantor set.

I also have: [tex]5/27=(0.012)_3[/tex]
It is an endpoint in C3, but doesn't the 1 in the base 3 expansion mean that it isn't part of the Cantor set?
 
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  • #2
Your [itex]C_3[/itex] is wrong. The interval [itex]\left[\frac{4}{27},\frac{5}{27}\right][/itex] is not part of the third stage of the Cantor set. Can you think about what would be the correct interval?
 
  • #3
Oh yes, how stupid of me.

It's:

[tex][0,1/27]\cup[2/27,3/27]\cup[6/27,7/27]\cup[8/27,9/27]\cup...[/tex]

So 5/27 has been removed. Thanks.
 

1. Are 5/27 and 8/9 in the Cantor Set?

Yes, both 5/27 and 8/9 are in the Cantor Set. In fact, all rational numbers in the interval [0,1] are in the Cantor Set.

2. How can we prove that 5/27 and 8/9 are in the Cantor Set?

We can prove this by showing that both 5/27 and 8/9 can be written in the form of base 3 fractions, which is a requirement for a number to be in the Cantor Set. 5/27 can be written as 0.02020202... in base 3, and 8/9 can be written as 0.222222... in base 3.

3. What is the Cantor Set?

The Cantor Set is a fractal set constructed by removing the middle third of a line segment, then removing the middle third of the remaining segments, and repeating this process infinitely. It is named after mathematician Georg Cantor who first described it in the late 19th century.

4. What is the significance of 5/27 and 8/9 being in the Cantor Set?

The fact that these two rational numbers are in the Cantor Set shows that the set is not just a collection of isolated points, but rather a dense set that contains all rational numbers in the interval [0,1]. This demonstrates the complexity and richness of the Cantor Set.

5. Are there any irrational numbers in the Cantor Set?

No, the Cantor Set only contains rational numbers. Irrational numbers, such as π or √2, cannot be written in the form of a base 3 fraction and therefore do not meet the criteria for being in the Cantor Set.

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