Defining a Function in a Partially Ordered Set - Homework Assistance

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Homework Statement



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The Attempt at a Solution



I am quite confused as to how to define the function. Any help would be appreciated.
 
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The new set, [tex]f(a)[/tex], is a set consisting of all [tex]x \epsilon A[/tex] s.t. [tex]x \leq a[/tex].

For example, consider [tex]A = \mathbb{N}[/tex]. Look at [tex]f(5)[/tex]. This is simply [tex]\{1,2,3,4,5\}[/tex].

So, for the first part, you need to show that

[tex]f(a)=f(b) \Rightarrow a=b[/tex]

I'll stop here, just in case you need more assistance.
 
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In other words, f(a) is the set of all members of A that are less than or equal to a.

If A were the set of real numbers with the usual order (which is, or course, not "partial"), then f(3)= ([itex]-\infty[/itex],3]. If A were a collection of sets, with "<" meaning set inclusion (that is a "partial" order) then f(a) is the collection of all subsets of a.
 
ar6 said:
I am quite confused as to how to define the function. Any help would be appreciated.
What's wrong with [itex]f(a) = \{ \, x \mid x \in A \wedge x \leq a \, \}[/itex]?
 
Yea I was confused last night and reading too much into the question. I got it (i think) now.