Proof by induction- countably infinite sets

[kja]

Homework Statement

I have to prove by induction that the union of any finite set of countably infinite sets is countably infinite.

Homework Equations

I have already proven, in a previous problem, that the union of any 2 countably infinite sets is countably infinite.

The Attempt at a Solution

I think for the basis I should use the fact that I have already proven that the union of 2 such sets is countably infinite. And I have an intuitive understanding of how the proof should go from there. The set can be denoted as M={A1,A2,A3,...} where An is countably infinite but M is finite. I figure the from my earlier proof, I can go through and say A1 union A2 is countably infinite, and that quantity union A3 is countably infinite, and so on. But I'm not very good at formalizing this, and I'm not very familiar at all with inductive proofs.

 

[cellotim]

You're pretty much there. The induction step should be:

(1) Assume that the union of N countably infinite sets is countably infinite
(2) Show this implies that the union of N+1 countably infinite sets is countably infinite.

Well, if you have a union of N countably infinite sets that is countably infinite, and you take the union of that set with one more, then you've proved it.

 

[HallsofIvy]

Suppose it is true that, for k countably infinite sets, A₁ A₂, ..., A_k, $B= \cup_{i=1}^k A_i$ is countably infinite. Now, suppose you have A₁, A₂, ..., A_k, A_k+1 countably infinite sets. What can you say about $B\cup A_{k+1}$?

 

[kja]

Okay, I've figured it out now. I was just having trouble understanding the procedure for an inductive proof. Thanks a lot!