# Proof for similarity between R X R, and R

1. Apr 6, 2006

### calvino

Proof for similarity between R X R, and R....

Well, there are actually two similar questions that I need help on. The first is to prove that for any infinite set R, there is always a 1-1, and onto mapping from RxR to R.

The second is to show that (RXR, +) ~ (R, +). Here R is the reals, and ~ symbolizes that the two are isomorphic.

I know the two questions are similar, which is why I grouped them together. I'm just not sure where to start. Any help would be great, and I'll be sure to post my progress. Thanks

2. Apr 9, 2006

### calvino

Well, for the second one, I suppose the Pi function defined by PI(a,b)=a is good, right? What exactly is there to prove, if one can come up with an example (suitable for both cases)?

3. Apr 9, 2006

### calvino

I phrased the first question wrong. I decided to make one thread with all my problems (since I have quite a bit that I'm stuck on)...sorry for any inconvenience.

closed...see "ALGEBRA PROBLEMS"

4. Apr 9, 2006

### AKG

No, that is not an isomorphism. In particular, it is not injective, as you can easily check. Now there is something of a "standard" bijection from RxR to R, but I highly doubt it is an isomorphism of groups. Moreover, this bijection relies on decimal expansions, so it wouldn't be much good for your first problem which deals with arbitrary infinite sets.

For the second problem, my only guesses would be to do something abstract, i.e. I can't think of how to construct an actual isomorphism between the two. But maybe you can take some very large group, e.g. an infinite product of something, and find a surjective homomorphism from this group onto R, and another one onto RxR, but both with the same kernel, and then apply the first isomorphism theorem.

It seems like quite a tough problem. The two spaces are not homeomorphic as topological spaces, they are not isomorphic as rings, they are not isomorphic as vector spaces, and RxR isn't even a field. So RxR and R are different in so many ways, it's counterintuitive that they'd be the same as groups.

For the first problem, do you know any theorems regarding the sizes of infinite sets. Like if R is an infinite set, and S is another infinite set strictly larger than R, then is it true that |S| > 2|R|? If so, perhaps you can show |RxR| < 2|R|.

Last edited: Apr 9, 2006
5. Mar 27, 2008

This only works if you assume the Generalized Continuum Hypothesis. :)