Comparing the sup of two sequences

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SUMMARY

This discussion focuses on proving that for two sequences \(a_n\) and \(b_n\) where \(a_n \leq b_n\) for all \(n\), the supremum of the sequences \(A_n = \sup \{a_m \; | \; m \geq n\}\) and \(B_n = \sup \{b_m \; | \; m \geq n\}\) satisfies \(A_n \leq B_n\). The proof by contradiction is explored, where assuming \(A_n > B_n\) leads to a contradiction due to the properties of supremum. The discussion also raises concerns about cases where the supremum may not be an element of the sequence, exemplified by the sequence converging to \(\pi\).

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OhMyMarkov
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Hello everyone!

Let $a_n$ and $b_n$ be two sequences such that $a_n \leq b_n$ for all $n$. Let $A_n = \sup \{a_m \; | \; m \geq n\}$ and $B_n = \sup \{b_m \; | \; m \geq n\}$.

I want to prove that $A_n\leq B_n$. I attempted a proof by contradiction:

Assume $A_n > B_n$ for some $n$.
If $A_n = a_i$ and $B_n = b_j$ for some j, and $i$ not necessarily equal to $j$, then $a_i > b_j$. However, $b_i > a_i$, so that $A_n > B_n$ is not true.

But the thing is, what if the index $i$ is infinity, I'm not sure what to do there...Any help would be appreciated! :)
 
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OhMyMarkov said:
Hello everyone!
Let $a_n$ and $b_n$ be two sequences such that $a_n \leq b_n$ for all $n$. Let $A_n = \sup \{a_m \; | \; m \geq n\}$ and $B_n = \sup \{b_m \; | \; m \geq n\}$.

I want to prove that $A_n\leq B_n$. I attempted a proof by contradiction:

Assume $A_n > B_n$ for some $n$.
Assume $A_n > B_n$ for some $n$.
$\left( {\exists a_j } \right)\left[ {j \geqslant n\;\& \,B_n < a_j \leqslant A_n } \right]$.

But $a_j\le b_j\le B_n$.
 
Hello Plato, thanks for your reply!

I was thinking this way, but can't I extend this to the case where the sup is not actually in the set $\{a_n\}$, like the sequence $3, 3.14, 3.1415, 3.141592, 3.14159264, \dots$. Or an other sequence.
 

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