Infinite sets statements equivalence

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around proving the equivalence of statements regarding infinite sets. The statements in question involve the definitions and properties of infinite sets, specifically relating to bijective functions and proper subsets.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to understand how the property of a set being infinite relates to the existence of bijective functions with proper subsets. They express uncertainty about whether proving that an infinite set admits a bijection with a proper subset directly implies the equivalence of the statements.
  • Some participants question the implications of the empty set on the statements, suggesting that if A is empty, the conditions for statements 2 and 3 do not hold, leading to a discussion about vacuous truths.

Discussion Status

Participants are exploring the implications of the definitions of infinite sets and questioning the assumptions made about the empty set. There is an acknowledgment of the complexity involved in proving the equivalences, particularly in the direction from 1 to 2 and 3. Some guidance has been offered regarding the challenges of proving the Dedekind-infinite to infinite direction.

Contextual Notes

There is a focus on the implications of the empty set in relation to the statements being discussed, with participants noting that the definitions may not apply in that case. The discussion reflects a need for clarity on the nature of proper subsets and bijections in the context of infinite sets.

mahler1
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Homework Statement

Let A be a set, prove that the following statements are equivalent:

1) A is infinite
2) For every x in A, there exists a bijective function f from A to A\{x}.
3) For every {x1,...,xn} in A, there exists a bijective function from A to A\{x1,...xn}

Relevant equations

The first and only thing that comes to my mind is that (I've read this in my textbook, but I have to prove it) if A is infinite, then it admits a bijection with a proper subset; but I'm not sure if proving that would help me to automatically say that 1) implies 2) and 3) because A\{x} and A\{x1,...,xn} are proper subsets of A, but how do I know that these are the indicated proper subsets, I mean, the statement says that if a set is infinite, it admits a bijection with A proper subset, not every proper subset.
Now, when it comes to prove that 2) or 3) imply 1) I am totally stuck. So, that's all that I have, if I think of something, I'll post it here.
 
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Do the 1 -> 2 proof so long, you seem to have solid ideas about that. When you've done that, you'll likely know more and will find a proof for 2 -> 1.

PS. I say this but the Dedekind-infinite -> infinite direction will be tough, probably you'll need to look it up.
 
Last edited:
mahler1 said:
Homework Statement

Let A be a set, prove that the following statements are equivalent:

1) A is infinite
2) For every x in A, there exists a bijective function f from A to A\{x}.
3) For every {x1,...,xn} in A, there exists a bijective function from A to A\{x1,...xn}

Relevant equations

The first and only thing that comes to my mind is that (I've read this in my textbook, but I have to prove it) if A is infinite, then it admits a bijection with a proper subset; but I'm not sure if proving that would help me to automatically say that 1) implies 2) and 3) because A\{x} and A\{x1,...,xn} are proper subsets of A, but how do I know that these are the indicated proper subsets, I mean, the statement says that if a set is infinite, it admits a bijection with A proper subset, not every proper subset.
Now, when it comes to prove that 2) or 3) imply 1) I am totally stuck. So, that's all that I have, if I think of something, I'll post it here.
These are not necessarily equivalent. For example, let ##A=\emptyset##. If ##A## is empty, the bijection in 2 and 3 is just the empty function given by ##f:\emptyset\to\emptyset##.
 
Last edited:
Mandelbroth said:
These are not necessarily equivalent. For example, let ##A=\emptyset##. If ##A## is empty, the bijection in 2 and 3 is just the empty function given by ##f:\emptyset\to\emptyset##.

Sorry, I forgot I've posted this. Now I am trying to solve the problem again. I think that in the case A is the empty set, 2 and 3 don't make any sense, because what is A-{x} or A-{x1,...,xn} if the empty set doesn't have any elements which belong to it?
 
mahler1 said:
Sorry, I forgot I've posted this. Now I am trying to solve the problem again. I think that in the case A is the empty set, 2 and 3 don't make any sense, because what is A-{x} or A-{x1,...,xn} if the empty set doesn't have any elements which belong to it?
It's still the empty set. It's what we call a "vacuous truth." The exact statements say "for every ##x## in ##A##..."

If there are no elements in ##A##, then the statement must be true for "all" the elements in ##A## because there aren't any elements to satisfy it.

Even if we just have the statements without the "for every ##x## in ##A##" requirement, the empty function is trivially a bijection.
 

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