Completeness Property (and Monotone Sequence)

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the Completeness Property and the Monotone Sequence Property as outlined in the Classical Analysis text by Marsden. It clarifies that a monotone increasing sequence is defined as one where each term is greater than or equal to the previous term, but only those sequences that are bounded above converge. The real number system is identified as the unique complete ordered field, contrasting with the rational numbers, which can have bounded sequences that do not converge. Misinterpretations regarding the definitions of boundedness and convergence are addressed, emphasizing the importance of understanding these concepts correctly.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of ordered fields and their properties
  • Familiarity with sequences and convergence in mathematical analysis
  • Knowledge of the real number system and its completeness
  • Basic concepts of boundedness in sequences
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the definitions and properties of ordered fields in detail
  • Learn about convergence criteria for sequences in real analysis
  • Explore examples of bounded but non-convergent sequences in rational numbers
  • Investigate the implications of completeness in various mathematical contexts
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Students of mathematics, particularly those studying real analysis, educators teaching classical analysis, and anyone seeking to deepen their understanding of sequences and convergence properties in ordered fields.

KT KIM
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I am studying Classical Analysis with Marsden book.
At very first chapter it covers sequence, field, etc...

The book has theorems
1."Let F be an ordered field. We say that the monotone sequence property if every monotone increasing sequence bounded above converges."

2."An ordered field is said to be complete if it obeys the monotone sequence property"

3."There is a unique complete ordered field called the real number system."

so I wonder

for 1. as I know monotone increasing sequence has a definition of
A sequence (an) is monotonic increasing if an+1≥ an for all nN

then what about e.g (an) = n , a1=1 a2=2 a3=3 ... ? this sequence is monotonic increasing but not bounded.
contradicts to 1.

In the same reason, according to 2 and 3. Any sequences in real number system has to obey monotone sequence property and it means it has to be bounded. But I can come up with lots of sequence which has real numbers as it's element that explodes.
like (an) = 2n , or Harmonic sequence.

I am pretty sure I have a critical misconception. but don't know what it is. help me please.
 
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KT KIM said:
then what about e.g (an) = n , a1=1 a2=2 a3=3 ... ? this sequence is monotonic increasing but not bounded.
contradicts to 1.
You cannot contradict a definition.
"every monotone increasing sequence bounded above converges."
Your sequence is not bounded, so this sequence is irrelevant for that statement.

"If it rains, the street gets wet" doesn't make any statement about days where it does not rain.
KT KIM said:
Any sequences in real number system has to obey monotone sequence property and it means it has to be bounded.
No. It means "if it is bounded, then it converges".
 
I finally found out that actually I misread it!, Haha sorry, English is not my primary language. I did read like "sequence 'bounded' above converges." , have thought converges is just a noun.
Anyway I really appreciate your help.
Thank you
 
There is another possible trap around.
"... then it converges" should better be read as
"... then it converges and this implies that the limit exists within F".

Otherwise you could find an example of a sequence which is bounded, but does not converge.
E.g. if F = ##\mathbb{Q} ## then ##a_n = \frac{1}{1^2}+\frac{1}{2^2}+\frac{1}{3^2}+ \dots +\frac{1}{n^2}## is bounded, e.g. by ##2##, but it does not converge, because its limit ##\frac{\pi^2}{6}## does not exist in ##\mathbb{Q} ##. However, it exists in ## \mathbb{R}##. Therefore ##\mathbb{R}## is complete, whereas ##\mathbb{Q} ## is not.
 
fresh_42 said:

E.g. if F = ##\mathbb{Q} ## then ##a_n = \frac{1}{1^2}+\frac{1}{2^2}+\frac{1}{3^2}+ \dots +\frac{1}{n^2}## is bounded, e.g. by ##2##, but it does not converge, because its limit ##\frac{\pi^2}{6}## does not exist in ##\mathbb{Q} ##. However, it exists in ## \mathbb{R}##. Therefore ##\mathbb{R}## is complete, whereas ##\mathbb{Q} ## is not.

Really good one it is, Thank you.
 

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