Infinite Set S w/ Least Upper Bound & Acc. Point - Example?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around identifying examples of infinite sets with a least upper bound that is not an accumulation point. Participants explore specific examples and engage in a deeper examination of the properties of least upper bounds and accumulation points.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests the set (-∞, 10] as an example of an infinite set with a least upper bound that is not an accumulation point, but another participant counters this by stating that all points in that set are accumulation points.
  • Another example provided is the set [0, 1] ∪ {2}, which is claimed to have a least upper bound that is not an accumulation point.
  • A participant introduces the set of negative integers, Z- = {-1, -2, -3, -4, -5...}, as another example that is infinite, bounded above, and lacks accumulation points.
  • One participant inquires about the proof that a least upper bound Λ, which is not in the set S, is an accumulation point, referencing a friend's assertion that for any ε > 0, there exists a point s in S such that Λ - ε < s < Λ.
  • Another participant reiterates the proof structure, emphasizing that if no members of A exist between Λ - ε and Λ, it leads to a contradiction regarding the least upper bound.
  • There is a request for clarification on whether the proof demonstrates that Λ is an accumulation point, with some participants affirming that it does.
  • A participant expresses confusion about how the proof concludes that Λ is an accumulation point, indicating a desire for further understanding.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the initial example of an infinite set with a least upper bound that is not an accumulation point. There is also a mix of agreement and confusion regarding the proof of the properties of least upper bounds and accumulation points.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express uncertainty about the definitions and implications of least upper bounds and accumulation points, particularly in relation to the proof structure discussed.

irony of truth
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I want to know some examples of an infinite set S with a least upper bound that is not an accumulation point of S. Is this an example... (-oo, 10]?
 
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irony of truth said:
I want to know some examples of an infinite set S with a least upper bound that is not an accumulation point of S. Is this an example... (-oo, 10]?

No, it's not. Every point in that set is an accumulation point of it.

An example is
\left[0 , 1 \right] \cup \{ 2 \}.

edit: Another example is Z- ={-1,-2,-3,-4,-5...}, the set of negative integers. It's clearly infinite, bounded above, and does not have any accumulation points.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Hmmm, thank you for the help...

By the way, suppose I have Λ as my least upper bound of a set S but Λ is not in S. I want to know how this Λ is an accumulation point...

My friend told me that for any ε > 0, he can show that there is a point s belonging to S such that Λ - ε < s < Λ. To end up the proof, he used the definition of accumulation point... how do I prove this...? :D
 
Suppose &Lambda; is a least upper bound of a set, A, but not in the set itself. Since &Lamba; is an upper bound for A, there are no members of A larger than &lambda;. Given &epsilon;> 0 suppose there were no members of A between &Lambda;-&epsilon; and &Lambda;. Then there would be no members of A larger than &Lambda;-&epsilon;. That means that &Lamba;-&epsilon; is an upper bound for A, contradicting the fact that &Lambda; is the least upper bound.
 
So the concept of accumulation point comes in here "Given ε> 0 suppose there were no members of A between Λ-ε and Λ. ...".
 
HallsofIvy said:
Suppose Λ is a least upper bound of a set, A, but not in the set itself. Since &Lamba; is an upper bound for A, there are no members of A larger than λ. Given ε> 0 suppose there were no members of A between Λ-ε and Λ. Then there would be no members of A larger than Λ-ε. That means that &Lamba;-ε is an upper bound for A, contradicting the fact that Λ is the least upper bound.

May I clarify something... is this the proof for ( I have restated my problem) "Assume that Λ is the least upper bound of a set S but Λ is not in S. Show that Λ is an accumulation point of S" ?
 
irony of truth said:
So the concept of accumulation point comes in here "Given ε> 0 suppose there were no members of A between Λ-ε and Λ. ...".
irony of truth said:
May I clarify something... is this the proof for ( I have restated my problem) "Assume that Λ is the least upper bound of a set S but Λ is not in S. Show that Λ is an accumulation point of S" ?
Yes, you're right.
 
Ah.. ok.. I asked that because I thought the proof only shows that /\ is the least upper bound... and not that /\ is an accumulation point.

From the proof HallsofIvy stated, how did /\ turn out in the end to be an accumulation point (I apologize for being "slow")
 

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