Proving Every Infinite Set Has a Countable Subset

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around proving that every infinite set has a countable subset, focusing on the definition of countability and the construction of a bijection from the natural numbers to a subset of an infinite set.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to construct a countable subset from an infinite set by defining a sequence and establishing a bijection. Some participants express agreement with this approach, while others note concerns about the clarity of previous posts.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants providing feedback on the original poster's approach. There is acknowledgment of similar suggestions made by others, but no explicit consensus has been reached regarding the best method to prove the statement.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention issues with post visibility and potential rules regarding the level of detail in responses, which may affect the discussion flow.

Doom of Doom
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So, the task is to prove: Every infinite set has a infinite countable subset.2. A set [tex]X[/tex] is countable if there exists a bijection [tex]\phi: \mathbb{N}\rightarrow X[/tex]3. So here's what I have:

Let [tex]A[/tex] be an infinite set, and pick some [tex]a_{1}\in A[/tex]. Define [tex]S_{n}=\left\{a_{i}[/tex], [tex]i\in \mathbb{N} \left| 1\leq i \leq n \right\}[/tex].
Pick [tex]a_{n}\in (A - S_{n-1})[/tex] for each [tex]n \in \mathbb{N}[/tex], [tex]n>1[/tex].

Let [tex]X=\left\{a_{n}|n \in \mathbb{N}\right\}[/tex], and let [tex]\phi: \mathbb{N}\rightarrow X[/tex] by [tex]\phi(x)=a_{x}[/tex].

Then I can show that [tex]\phi[/tex] is a bijection, and thus I am done. Is this good? I'm sure there has to be a better way to do this.
 
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I think it's alright. It's essentially what I suggested, but my answer has disappeared.. maybe it was too explicit..?
 
Pere Callahan said:
I think it's alright. It's essentially what I suggested, but my answer has disappeared.. maybe it was too explicit..?

Your post didn't disappear. It's on the other thread called 'countable sbset'. Don't repost the same question Doom of Doom.
 
Oh, I see, thanks Dick :smile:
 
I am sorry. My internet crashed right when i submitted the post, then when I went back later I didn't see my original post, so I made a new one.
 

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