Dyadic Squares in the Unit Disc: A Proof and Critique

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on proving that the unit disc contains finitely many dyadic squares whose total area exceeds π - ε, intersecting only along their boundaries. The proof utilizes the concepts from Charles Chapman Pugh's "Real Mathematical Analysis," specifically addressing the area function and the properties of dyadic squares. The conclusion establishes that the least upper bound of the area of these squares is equal to π, confirming the existence of a finite number of dyadic squares within the unit disc that meet the specified criteria.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of dyadic squares in ℝ²
  • Familiarity with the concept of least upper bounds (l.u.b.)
  • Knowledge of area functions and their properties
  • Basic principles of real analysis as outlined in "Real Mathematical Analysis" by Charles Chapman Pugh
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the properties of dyadic squares in ℝ²
  • Learn about the concept of least upper bounds and their applications in analysis
  • Explore the area function and its implications in real analysis
  • Review theorems related to intersections of sets in mathematical analysis
USEFUL FOR

Mathematics students, particularly those studying real analysis, researchers in mathematical proofs, and anyone interested in the properties of dyadic squares and their applications in geometry.

Someone2841
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I previously asked a question about this problem. I think I found the answer myself, and I want to know how I did. I'm pretty new at this proof thing and have been working through the textbook Real Mathematical Analysis by Charles Chapman Pugh. Any criticism would be appreciated!

Problem (Chapter 1, Problem 22a):
Given ##ϵ>0##, show that the unit disc contains finitely many dyadic squares whose total area exceeds ##π−ϵ##, and which intersect each other only along their boundaries.​


Notes
The first issue is the definition of ##\pi##. For the purpose of this problem, I will assume ##\pi## is the area of the unit disc and thus the least upper bound for the area of all subsets thereof. Secondly, the ##\text{area}## function and its properties are used freely without definition or proof.

Proof

Let
##P_m## be the set of dyadic squares with edge-length ##\frac{1}{2^m}## in ##\mathbb{R}^2##. These squares are either identical or intersect only at their boundaries (previously proved) and have an area of ##\frac{1}{4^m}##;
##D## be the unit disk;
##S_m = \{s \in P_m : s \subseteq D\}## be the squares in ##P_m## that are contained in the unit disk;
and ##A = \{a: m \in \mathbb{N} \text{ and } a = \text{area}(\bigcup S_m)\}##.​

##A## is non-empty [since ##\text{area}(\bigcup S_1) = 1##] and ##\pi## is an upper bound for ##A##, and so ##c=\text{l.u.b. }A## exists. Choose any ##\epsilon > 0##. There exists (by virtue of c being the l.u.b.) an ##m## such that ##c - \epsilon < \text{area}(\bigcup S_m)##.

Lemma ##c = pi##.
Clearly ##c \leq \pi## since otherwise there would exist an ##m## and ##\lambda > 0## such that ## \pi = c - \lambda < \text{area}(\bigcup S_m)\}##, and ##D## contains squares whose area total more than ##D## itself.

Suppose then that ##c < \pi##. Then every ##S^c_m = D\backslash \bigcup S_m## has a positive area less than ##\pi-c##. There must exist then a common dyadic square ##d \subseteq \bigcap_{m \in \mathbb{N}} S^c_m## with edge length ##\frac{1}{2^n}## and area ##\delta## such that ## 0<\delta = \frac{1}{4^n} < \pi - c## (otherwise, how does every ##S^c_m## have a positive area?). Now choose some ##m## such that ##c < \text{area}(\bigcup S_n) + \delta##. Now, ##n>m## since ##S_n## contains at least one square from ##S^c_m##. Since each square in ##S_m## is partitioned into smaller squares in ##S_n##, it is clear that ##\bigcup S_m \subseteq \bigcup S_n##, but ##S_n## also contains (at least) the extra square with the area ##\frac{1}{4^n}## and so ##\text{area}(\bigcup S_m) + \frac{1}{4^n} \leq\text{area}(\bigcup S_n)##. Thus,

##c < \text{area}(\bigcup S_m) + \frac{1}{4^n} \leq\text{area}(\bigcup S_n) \leq c##,​

which is a contradiction. Therefore, ##c## cannot be less than ##\pi## and must instead be equal to ##\pi##.


and so ##c=\pi##.​

Proof Cont.

By the lemma, ##\pi - \epsilon < \text{area}(\bigcup S_m)##. If ##S_m## were infinite, then ##\text{area}(\bigcup S_m)## would also be infinite (since all squares are of equal size); this is false because the area must be less than or equal to ##\pi##. Therefore for any ##\epsilon## a finite number of dyadic squares can be choosen whose area exceeds ##\pi-\epsilon##. Each dyadic square is the same size and unique by construction; therefore (by a previous theorem), the squares intersect only at their boundaries or not at all.

End of Proof


Thanks in advance!


EDITED
 
Last edited:
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It might be important to proof that every rectangle in ##\mathbb{R}^2## contains a dyadic square and also more explicitly that ##\bigcup S_m \subset \bigcup S_n \iff n>m##. Are these obvious/immediate enough to assume? (for instance, in a real analysis course)
 

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