Is α an element of B in Rudin's Theorem 1.11?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around Rudin's Theorem 1.11, which addresses the properties of sets with the least-upper-bound property. Participants explore the implications of this theorem, particularly whether the supremum of the set of lower bounds (α) is an element of the set B, and the relationships between the supremum, infimum, and maximum or minimum of the sets involved.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant asserts that since α is the least upper bound of L, it must also be an element of B, leading to the conclusion that maxL = supL = infB = minB.
  • Another participant counters this by providing a counterexample where S = (0,1) ∪ (2,3) and B = (2,3), arguing that in this case, the supremum of L does not belong to S, thus challenging the theorem's applicability.
  • Further replies question the assumptions about the least-upper-bound property and clarify that if E is a subset of S and bounded above, then the supremum should exist in S, which is not the case in the counterexample provided.
  • Another participant suggests that the theorem's validity hinges on the assumption that only points of S are considered as lower bounds, which could affect the conclusions drawn.
  • A later reply emphasizes that the theorem does not necessarily imply that the supremum or infimum must be a member of the respective sets, especially when the sets are complements in the parent set S.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express disagreement regarding the implications of the theorem, particularly whether α is an element of B. Multiple competing views are presented, with some participants supporting the original claim and others providing counterexamples that challenge it.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved assumptions regarding the definitions of the sets involved and the conditions under which the least-upper-bound property holds. The discussion also highlights the potential for confusion regarding the membership of supremum and infimum in their respective sets.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for students and scholars interested in real analysis, particularly those studying the properties of ordered sets and the implications of the least-upper-bound property in mathematical proofs.

Government$
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Theorem: Suppose S is an ordered set with the least-upper-bound property, B⊂S, B is not empty, and B is bounded below. Let L be the set of all lower bounds of B. Then α=supL exists in S, and α=infB.

Rudin proves that α=supL, α is an element of L and that α=infB.
For α to be sup i.e. lub it has to be in set of upper bounds. Here i quote rudin: "Since B is bounded below, L is not empty. Since L consists of exactly those y that are elemet of S which satisfy the inequality y≤x for every x from B, we see that evry x that is in B is an upper bound of L. Thus L is bounded above. Our hypothesis about S implies therefore that L has a supremum in S; call it α. If γ<α then γ is not an upper bound of L, hence γ is not an element of B. It follows that α≤x for every x in B. Thus α is an element of L. If α<β then β is not an element of of L, since α is an upper bound of L. We have shoh that α is an element of L but β is not element of L if α<β. In other words , α is lower bound of B, but β is not is not if α<β. This means that α=infB."


So since b consists of all of upper bounds of L and α is least upper bound, can i say that α is also an elemet of B?

If that is the case can i then say that maxL=supL=infB=minB?
Because α is an element of L and at the same time α=supL then maxL=α. If it were not the cas that maxL=α then there would be some other element β in L, that is greater then α. But this would contadict the fact that supL=α. Same goes for minB=α just reveresed.

Are these conclusions correct?

P.S. Why i don't have LATEX reference in editor?
 
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Something is very wrong. Let S = (0,1) ##\cup## (2,3), B = (2,3). Now B is bounded below, eg by 0 and 1/2, but sup(L) = 2 ##\not\in## S.
 
verty said:
Something is very wrong. Let S = (0,1) ##\cup## (2,3), B = (2,3). Now B is bounded below, eg by 0 and 1/2, but sup(L) = 2 ##\not\in## S.

If i may usk where does least-upper-bound property come into play in your counter example?
 
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verty said:
Something is very wrong. Let S = (0,1) ##\cup## (2,3), B = (2,3). Now B is bounded below, eg by 0 and 1/2, but sup(L) = 2 ##\not\in## S.

Since you gave counter example you assumed that S is an order set with least-upper-bound property. (Right?) If so then this means that if E is subest of S, and E is non empty and E is bounded above , then sup E exists in S.
So let S = (0,1) ##\cup## (2,3) and Let E= (2,3). E is subset of S and it is no empty and it is bounded above and more importantly supE should exists in S. But E=(2,3) fails to have sup in S. Sup of E is 3 and it is not in S, because i can come infinetly close to 3 but i will never find element that is greater then all other elements in E. Therefore S fails to be an order set with least-upper-bound property and there fore your contuer example is false. Is my reasoning correct here?
 
Government$ said:
Since you gave counter example you assumed that S is an order set with least-upper-bound property. (Right?) If so then this means that if E is subest of S, and E is non empty and E is bounded above , then sup E exists in S.
So let S = (0,1) ##\cup## (2,3) and Let E= (2,3). E is subset of S and it is no empty and it is bounded above and more importantly supE should exists in S. But E=(2,3) fails to have sup in S. Sup of E is 3 and it is not in S, because i can come infinetly close to 3 but i will never find element that is greater then all other elements in E. Therefore S fails to be an order set with least-upper-bound property and there fore your contuer example is false. Is my reasoning correct here?

I wasn't sure what the "least upper bound property" was but I couldn't see what would make the theorem true. This time let S = (0,1] ##\cup## (2,3], B = (2,3].

Oh, I realize now what is going on. It has be given implicitly that only points of S are lower bounds. With this premise, the theorem is true.

Back to your original question, no, my counterexample: S = (0,2], B = (1,2).
 
You should definitely look at Real Mathematical Analysis by Charles Chapman Pugh. I find it much easier to read than Rudin. I honestly don't know why Baby Rudin is preferred by so many, I feel like Baby is sort of outdated and lacks organization of thoughts in some of his proofs.

Your conclusion, however, is false. We say that a is a maximal (or minimal) element of A if a is contained in A and a=sup(A) (or a=inf(A)). I looked at the proof in Baby Rudin, and it didn't explicitly say that alpha is contained in B nor do I see how it could be inferred. Of course there are cases in which the intersection of two closed sets is nonempty and in this case, if the intersection was a singleton, then yes sup(L)=max(L)=inf(B)=min(B). Looking ahead though, to get you ready for Dedekind cuts and cut arithmetic, I think that the point of the theorem is actually to show that a supremum or infimum of a set need not be a member of the set. And this is always the case when the two subsets are complements in the parent set S. The assumption is "Let L be the set containing all lower bounds of B". This is why sup(L) is contained in L and so sup(L)=max(L)=inf(B).
 

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