Countability subset of the reals proof

In summary, the conversation discusses proving that either X or Y has the same cardinality as (a,b). The approach is to first show that (a,b) is uncountable, which implies that XUY must also be uncountable. Then, assuming both X and Y are countable, the goal is to find a contradiction. The potential negation and planned contradiction are also mentioned.
  • #1
hlin818
30
0

Homework Statement



Let (a,b)=XUY, X,Y arbitrary sets where (a,b) is an arbitrary interval. Prove that either X or Y has the same cardinality as that of (a,b).

Homework Equations


The Attempt at a Solution



Really lost.
 
Last edited:
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  • #2
first show (a,b) is uncountable this shows XUY must be uncountable, now assume X & Y are both countable and look for a contradiction
 
  • #3
lanedance said:
first show (a,b) is uncountable this shows XUY must be uncountable, now assume X & Y are both countable and look for a contradiction

If we do this by contradiction wouldn't the negation be to assume that X and Y do not have cardinality equal to (a,b)?
 
  • #4
no, you wnat a ssume that neither has cardinality equivalent to an interval and find a contradiction that says it can't be so
 

1. What is the definition of a countability subset of the real numbers?

A countability subset of the real numbers is a subset of the real numbers that can be put into a one-to-one correspondence with the set of natural numbers, meaning that each element in the subset can be uniquely mapped to a natural number.

2. What is a proof of countability subset of the real numbers?

A proof of countability subset of the real numbers involves showing that a given subset of real numbers can be mapped to the natural numbers in a one-to-one manner. This can be done by constructing a function that maps each element of the subset to a unique natural number, or by showing that the subset can be written as a countable union of countable sets.

3. What are some examples of countability subset of the real numbers?

Some examples of countability subset of the real numbers include the set of integers, the set of rational numbers, and the set of algebraic numbers. These subsets can be shown to be countable through various methods, such as constructing a bijection or using the Cantor diagonalization argument.

4. Is the set of real numbers countable?

No, the set of real numbers is not countable. This can be proven using Cantor's diagonalization argument, which shows that there is no bijection between the set of real numbers and the set of natural numbers.

5. Why is proving countability subset of the real numbers important?

Proving countability subset of the real numbers is important in mathematics because it helps us understand the structure and properties of different subsets of the real numbers. It also allows us to classify sets based on their cardinality and helps us solve problems related to infinity and uncountability.

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