Is it possible to construct a sequence like this?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion centers around the possibility of constructing a specific sequence, as outlined in the original post, with particular requirements. The subject area involves concepts of sequences, cardinality, and potentially the properties of rational numbers and functions like sine.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Conceptual clarification

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the construction of sequences that converge to multiple limits and question the implications of cardinality, particularly regarding the set of natural numbers and their Cartesian product.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants offering various perspectives on the construction of the sequence and the nature of cardinality. There is an exploration of the relationship between sequences and bijections, but no consensus has been reached regarding the original problem's requirements.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the distinction between countable and uncountable sets, specifically in relation to the rational numbers and the sine function. The original poster's reference to the sine function raises questions about the applicability of certain mathematical concepts to the problem at hand.

kindlychung
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Homework Statement


Is it possible to construct a sequence like this? If yes, please construct one, if not, give a proof. See the attached pic for requirements for the sequence to be constructed.


Homework Equations


NO


The Attempt at a Solution


I know how to construct a sequence that has subsequences that converge to a finite number of limits, such as:
1, -1, 1, -1, ...
1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, ...

This problem brings the sine function to my mind, but since R is uncountable, it's not possible to build a sequence that contains terms that has a 1-1 correspondence with sin(x).

I might as well ask: what is the cardinality of [tex]N \times N[/tex]?
[tex]card N \times N = card N ?[/tex]
In that case I could just repeat the sequence {1, 1/2, 1/3, ...} over and over again.
 

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I don't know what you are referring to when you talk about the sine function considering the sequence in question only takes of rational numbers; which are countable.

Anyway, NxN has the same cardinality has N.
 
kindlychung said:
In that case I could just repeat the sequence {1, 1/2, 1/3, ...} over and over again.

You can't just stick it after itself over and over again

{1,1/2,1/3,...,1,1/2,1/3,...,1,1/2,1/3,..}

isn't a sequence. Which natural number does the second 1 correspond to? You essentially need to find a bijection between N and NxN in order to write down the sequence you want
 
If NxN has the same cardinality has N, then by definition there is a bijection between N and NxN.
 
kindlychung said:
If NxN has the same cardinality has N, then by definition there is a bijection between N and NxN.

There are many of them.

In fact, a one to one function on N would do.
 

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