# Homework Help: Least Upper Bounds

1. Sep 17, 2013

### NATURE.M

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
Given a set A that contains all numbers of the form, n/(n+1), where n is a positive integer,
a.explain why the number 1.1 is not the lub of A.
b.explain why the number 0.95 is no the lub of A.

2. Relevant equations

3. The attempt at a solution

a. Suppose 1.1 is the lub of A. Then it follows, from the least upper bound axiom, that
i. 1.1 is an upper bound of A and ii. 1.1≤y, if y is an upper bound for A. Since there exists y<1.1, such as y=1.01, we can see that l.l is not the lub of A. Thus, a contradiction.

(I'm not sure if I formatted this proof accurately (as I'm fairly new to proofs)).

b.It follows in a similar manner to a., although here I will show the first property of the lub isn't satisfied. That is, the number is not a upper bound.

2. Sep 17, 2013

### AATroop

Are you sure you meant ".95 is not lub the of A"? Because then you could show 1/(2) < .95 and be done with it.

3. Sep 17, 2013

### johnqwertyful

Your proof for part a is incredibly wordy and confusing. The "least upper bound axiom" (as I know it) is that every bounded set of real numbers has a least upper bound. What you said was the definition of least upper bound. Not to mention you didn't prove anything! How do you know 1.01 is an upper bound?

Part b, you actually have to show that there exists a number of the form n/(n+1)>.95. It should be easy to find such a number, but you should give a specific example.

I think you are falling into a trap of people new to proofs; trying to be as wordy and "formal" as possible. It's awkward and often you end up missing the entire point of the problem!

With math, usually the more concise the better.

4. Sep 17, 2013

### johnqwertyful

That shows absolutely nothing.

5. Sep 17, 2013

### AATroop

You're right, I wasn't reading it correctly. But what I was getting at was a proof by example. It's not hard to find a number greater than .95 that would disprove .95 is the LUB.

Edit: I just saw your response, and it now it seems like I just tried to copy what you said. I was trying to provide an example of a value that disprove .95 was SOMETHING (I don't know what I THOUGHT it was at the time), but that's why I was trying to provide a specific case. But you're right about the first part, his wording is too convoluted. The best way I found to start proofs was "Let x be ..." and then make conclusions from what you're given to reach a final conclusion that either proves or disproves what they want.

6. Sep 17, 2013

### NATURE.M

If I can show that some upper bound of A is less than 1.1 initially, then can I mention how this does not satisfy the conditions required for lub as given by the axiom. So 1.1 cannot be the lub.

7. Sep 17, 2013

### AATroop

That's what you have to do. You need to find some arbitrary value of x/y/z/whatever variable you want, that shows the LUB MUST BE < 1.1.

That arbitrary value should relate to n/(n + 1) somehow. So, let x be the lub of n/(n + 1). Because we know n is blah and blah... etc.

8. Sep 17, 2013

### johnqwertyful

Yes but prove it.

9. Sep 17, 2013

### NATURE.M

But it wouldn't make sense to let x be the lub of n/(n+1) since the lub for the set doesn't exist.

10. Sep 17, 2013

### AATroop

I'm sorry, I'm really tired, but shouldn't 1 be the LUB?

lim x-> ∞ of x/(x+1) = 1, correct?

11. Sep 17, 2013

### johnqwertyful

You don't need to let x be the lub of that set, although the lub DOES exist for that set (and is equal to 1).

12. Sep 17, 2013

### AATroop

Right, you can even say "Assume x is the LUB" and then show why that would not hold if x was the LUB (but in this case, you should NOT do this- we're only saying this for future proofs).

13. Sep 17, 2013

### johnqwertyful

Agreed.

14. Sep 17, 2013

### NATURE.M

Oh yeah, I overlooked that fact.

15. Sep 17, 2013

### NATURE.M

To prove there is an upper bound of A less than 1.1, would I just simply demonstrate that there exists an upper bound, a of the set A, such that a≥m, for all mεA. Then, a≥n/(n+1). Then would I just pick a value of a arbitrarily.

16. Sep 17, 2013

### johnqwertyful

You're overthinking this.

1.01 is an upper bound of the set, although it is not the most convenient example. 1 is an upper bound for the set and 1.1>1. It should be easy to show that 1>n/(n+1) (hint:multiply).

17. Sep 17, 2013

### NATURE.M

Your probably right. It seems I'm worrying to much about the formalism and all that sort. Anyways, that clarifies it. Thanks.

18. Sep 17, 2013

### johnqwertyful

Please write out your proof. I'd like to see and critique it, if you are interested.

19. Sep 17, 2013

### NATURE.M

I'm defiantly interested, but do you mind if we do it tomorrow? I have class early tomorrow morning, so after, I'll post my proof.

20. Sep 17, 2013

### NATURE.M

*definitely

21. Sep 17, 2013

### johnqwertyful

Sure. Can't say I'll get to it for a bit, but I'll look for it if I get a chance.

22. Sep 18, 2013

### Ray Vickson

Why did you hand the OP the solution to the problem? He is the one who is supposed to solve it, according to the Forum rules.

23. Sep 18, 2013

### johnqwertyful

I don't think that hands OP the solution. AA simply stated a relevant limit.

24. Sep 18, 2013

### NATURE.M

Okay rough version of my solution for a.

We can see that 1 is an upper bound for the set A, since 1≥n/(n+1)*. Since 1<1.1, then by the least upper bound axiom, 1.1 is not the least upper bound of the set A.

*for 1≥ n/(n+1), I'm not sure if I should simplify that to 1≥0. But how is this significant to the result?
Although this doesn't seem like a proof.

Last edited: Sep 18, 2013
25. Sep 18, 2013

### NATURE.M

I have an alternative version which I think is better.

Lets suppose 1.1 is the sup of A. Then ,we know the set A is bounded above by 1.1 since 1.1>n/(n+1), for n=1,2,3.... Now, if 1.1 is the sup of A, then each number m<1.1 is not an upper bound of A. That is, if m=1<1.1, then 1 is not a upper bound of A. However, 1≥n/(n+1), thus we have a contradiction.

-I think I need to justify 1≥n/(n+1), but I'm not sure how to go about it.