MHB Proving that a subset of a countable set is countable

  • Thread starter Thread starter Mathmellow
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Set
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

This discussion focuses on proving that any subset of a countable set is either finite or countable. A set \( S \) is defined as countable if there exists a bijection from \( S \) to \( \mathbb{N} \). The key argument presented is that for an infinite subset \( V \) of \( S \), one can establish a bijection \( \beta: V \to \mathbb{N} \) by defining a mapping \( f: \mathbb{N} \to A \), where \( A \) is an infinite subset of \( \mathbb{N} \) and \( f(i) \) is the \( i \)-th smallest element of \( A \). This method confirms that any infinite subset of \( \mathbb{N} \) is indeed countable.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of countable sets and bijections
  • Familiarity with the concept of infinite subsets
  • Basic knowledge of set theory
  • Ability to work with mappings and functions
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the properties of bijections in set theory
  • Learn about different types of infinite sets, such as countably infinite and uncountably infinite
  • Explore the Cantor-Bernstein-Schröder theorem for further insights on set cardinality
  • Investigate examples of countable and uncountable sets in mathematical literature
USEFUL FOR

Mathematicians, students of set theory, and anyone interested in understanding the foundations of countability in mathematics.

Mathmellow
Messages
7
Reaction score
0
I am trying to prove that any subset of a countable set is either finite or countable.

I know that a set $$S$$ is countable if there exists a bijection that takes S to $$\Bbb{N}$$. My first thought was to consider the subset $$V$$ of $$S$$. If $$V$$ is finite we are done, since we can always construct a finite subset of a countably infinite set.
So I guess in the case where $$V$$ is infinite we want to prove that there is a bijection $$\beta: V\to\Bbb{N}$$. However, I am not sure how to do this.

I would really appreciate it if someone could help me with this, so I can feel more comfortable with these types of problems in the future!
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Mathmellow said:
I am trying to prove that any subset of a countable set is either finite or countable.

I know that a set $$S$$ is countable if there exists a bijection that takes S to $$\Bbb{N}$$. My first thought was to consider the subset $$V$$ of $$S$$. If $$V$$ is finite we are done, since we can always construct a finite subset of a countably infinite set.
So I guess in the case where $$V$$ is infinite we want to prove that there is a bijection $$\beta: V\to\Bbb{N}$$. However, I am not sure how to do this.

I would really appreciate it if someone could help me with this, so I can feel more comfortable with these types of problems in the future!

One just has to show that any infinite subset of $\mathbb N$ is in bijection with $\mathbb N$.

Let $A\subseteq \mathbb N$ be infinite. Define a map $f:\mathbb N\to A$ by declaring $f(i)$ to be the $i$-th smallest element of $A$. Then $f$ is a bijection.
 
If there are an infinite number of natural numbers, and an infinite number of fractions in between any two natural numbers, and an infinite number of fractions in between any two of those fractions, and an infinite number of fractions in between any two of those fractions, and an infinite number of fractions in between any two of those fractions, and... then that must mean that there are not only infinite infinities, but an infinite number of those infinities. and an infinite number of those...

Similar threads

  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
  • · Replies 18 ·
Replies
18
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
Replies
1
Views
2K
Replies
11
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
2K