Cardinal Arithmetic: Finite Set X, #X+1

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In the discussion about cardinal arithmetic involving a finite set X and an additional element x, participants explore the proof that the cardinality of the union of X and {x} is one greater than that of X. They establish that if X has cardinality n, then X ∪ {x} has cardinality n + 1 through the concept of bijections. A function g is defined to demonstrate this bijection, mapping elements of X and the new element x appropriately. The conversation emphasizes the importance of rigor in mathematical proofs, particularly in showing that g is both one-to-one and onto. Ultimately, the participants refine their arguments to clarify the proof that the cardinality of X ∪ {x} is indeed n + 1.
  • #31
HMPARTICLE said:
I am setting out to prove that g is onto;
let ## m \in S_{n+1} ##, we must show that there exist ## y \in X \cup \{x\}## such that ## g(y) = m ##.

since ##f## is a bijection between X and ##S_n## there is some ##y \in X ## such that ##f(y) = m##

That is only true if ##m\le n##, not if ##m## happens to be ##n+1##. So state that in your argument.

and if ##m= n+1 ## then ##g(x) = m ## by the definition of g

That is the other case

ALSO by the definition of ##g##, ##y \in X \cup \{x\}## this implies that ##y \in X## or ## y \in \{x\}##, since ##x \in \{x\}## we have ## x,y \in \{x\}## this implies that if ##m = n+1##, then ##g(x) = g(y) = m##.

I guess that is a very confusing way to say the domain of ##g## is ##X\cup \{x\}## and ##g(x) = m+1##. You already said that above "by the definition of g".
Here i have show that there exist ## y \in X \cup \{x\}## such that ## g(y) = m ##

No you haven't. You have shown that if ##m=n+1## that ##g(x)=m##. And you have shown that if ##m\le n## there is a ##y\in X## such that ##\color{red}{f}(y) = m##. YOU HAVE TO SHOW THAT ##\color{red}{g}(y) = m##.
You have to understand, i have run out of ideas. RUN out of ideas.

Perhaps it is time to print out this thread, take it to your teacher, and go over it with him/her in person. That would be a much more efficient use of time.
 
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  • #32
Actually i don't have a teacher/ lecturer, i made the choice to drop out of university to look after a dying grandparent, this resulted in me taking a degree with the open university which does not cover analysis of this kind. so i am self-studying Analysis 1 by terrence tao. When i do come across a problem i have to post it on here. I have NO other choice. I don't have a lecturer to ask.

It's not that I am not applying myself, i spend countless hours on this book.

But thanks for your time
 
  • #33
OK. Then respond to my last post. You have to show ##g(y)=m##. What is ##g(y)## according to its definition?
 
  • #34
for any ##y \in X \cup \{x\}##
we define;
##g(y):= f(y)## for all ## y \in X##,
##g(x):=n+1 ##
 
  • #35
HMPARTICLE said:
for any ##y \in X \cup \{x\}##
we define;
##g(y):= f(y)## for all ## y \in X##,
##g(x):=n+1 ##

So tell me how you know there is a ##y## such that ##g(y)=m##. I know, it's easy. But you have to say why.
 
  • #36
Because y is an element of the set X U {x}
 
  • #37
No. It is because if ##m\le n##, so ##m\in S_n##, you have there is ##y\in X## such that ##f(y)=m## because ##f## is a bijection between ##X## and ##S_n##. And by the definition of g, if ##y\in X## then ##g(y)=f(y)##. That is why ##g(y) = m##.

This should complete the argument that ##g## is onto ##S_{n+1}##. Now, since we have been through it and it isn't really a homework problem because you aren't actually taking a class, I'm going to stretch the PF rules and show you how you should write it up. We have called$$
S_n = \{ i\in N: i\le n\}$$You are given a bijection ##f## from a set ##X## to ##S_n##. If ##x## is not an element of ##x##, you want to demonstrate a bijection ##g## from ##X\cup \{x\}## to ##S_{n+1}##.

Our proposed bijection is$$
g(y)=\left\{\begin{array}{rl}
f(y),& y\in X\\
n+1,& y=x
\end{array}\right.$$
Claim: ##g## is onto ##S_{n+1}##
Proof: Suppose ##m\in S_{n+1}##. If ##m = n+1## then ##g(x) = n+1=m##. If ##m < n+1## then ##m \in S_n## so, since ##f## is a bijection between ##X## and ##S_n##,(hence onto), there is a ##y\in X## such that ##f(y) = m##. Since ##y\in X## then ##g(y) = f(y)## by the definition of ##g##, so ##g(y)=m##.
So in each case, ##m=n+1## or ##m\le n## we have found a ##y## such that ##g(y) = m##.

Now we must show that ##g## is 1-1. You do it. Write down carefully what you have to prove and argue it.
 
Last edited:
  • #38
Thank you ever so much.

The first line
If m = n+1 then g(x) = m+1. I find this a little confusing. if m is some element of ##S_{n+1}## and m = n+1, i get this part... but then to say that g(x) = m+1.
This may sound really stupid, but to me, I'm not quite seeing it.

Claim: ##g## is a 1-1 function
Proof: Let ##m \in S_{n+1} ## and ##y_1, y_2 \in X \cup \{x\} ##. suppose that ##g(y_1) = g(y_2) ##. Then we have two cases to deal with, if ## m < n ## then by the definition of ##g##, ##g(y_1) = g(y_2) ## becomes ##f(y_1) = f(y_2) ##, but ##f## is a bijection, so it follows that ##y_1=y_2##, in the second case, if ## m = n +1 ## then ##g(y_1) = g(y_2)## can only occur if ##y_1 = y_2 = x ##, and##g(x) = m+1##. In either case, g maps different elements to different elements. It follows that ##g## is 1-1
 
Last edited:
  • #39
HMPARTICLE said:
Thank you ever so much.

The first line
If m = n+1 then g(x) = m+1. I find this a little confusing. if m is some element of ##S_{n+1}## and m = n+1, i get this part... but then to say that g(x) = m+1.
This may sound really stupid, but to me, I'm not quite seeing it.

Not stupid and you shouldn't see it. That was just a typo. I fixed it to ##g(x) = n+1##.

Claim: ##g## is a 1-1 function
Proof: Let ##m \in S_{n+1} ## and ##y_1, y_2 \in X \cup \{x\} ##. suppose that ##g(y_1) = g(y_2) \color{red}{=m}##. Then we have two cases to deal with, if ## \color{red}{m < n} ## then by the definition of ##g##, ##g(y_1) = g(y_2) ## becomes ##f(y_1) = f(y_2) ##, but ##f## is a bijection, so it follows that ##y_1=y_2##, in the second case, if ## m = n +1 ## then ##g(y_1) = g(y_2)## can only occur if ##y_1 = y_2 = x ##, and ##g(x) = m+1##. In either case, g maps different elements to different elements. It follows that ##g## is 1-1

Pretty good. You have to say what ##m## is, which I fixed, and is the inequality in red should read ##m\le n##.

Have a nice holiday.
 
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  • #40
Many thanks again, you also! :)
 

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