# Homework Help: Set theory: Axioms of Construction

1. Jan 11, 2010

### oliphant

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data

We're asked to prove that a few constructions of the sets a,b are themselves sets, stating which axioms we use to do so.

a) a\b
b)the function f:a->b
c)the image of f

2. Relevant equations

The following standard definitions of axioms of construction: Extensionality, Pair Set, Power Set, Union, Subset

3. The attempt at a solution

I think for a) we could define a\b = $$\{\bigcup (x \in P(a)) | x \notin b \}$$ so we would be using the axioms of power set, union, subset.

Now I have no idea how to do b), and I'd need to define that set first before I could do c). So if someone could point me in the right direction that would be great.

2. Jan 11, 2010

### JSuarez

As for a), if you mean the set $$A \backslash B$$, I cannot understand why you use the Power Set of $$A$$; this is the set of subsets of $$A$$, while $$A \backslash B$$ is the set of elements of $$A$$ that are not in $$B$$. If $$A$$ and $$B$$ are sets, then $$A \backslash B$$ is defined by the formula:

$$x \in A\backslash B \equiv x\in A\wedge x\notin B$$

As for b) (and c)), remember that a function is just a set of ordered pairs, with a certain property.

Last edited: Jan 11, 2010
3. Jan 11, 2010

### oliphant

Oops, that's what I wrote down first of all (well $$a\b = \{x \in a | x \notin b\}$$ for a) but then decided to over complicate it and confuse matters.

So if we think of the function as a set of ordered pairs (s,t) (where the same a cannot give different bs). I actually have a definition for the set of ordered pairs $$a \times b = \{x \in P P \bigcup \{a,b\} | \thereis s \in a, t \in b, x = (s,t)\}$$, so would it just be a case of shoehorning in a condition that when f(a_1) = b and f(a_2) = b, then a_1 = a_2?

4. Jan 11, 2010

### JSuarez

That's pretty much it; you know that the class of ordered pairs is set, then you pick the subset representing the function. The image is a subset of the function set.

5. Jan 12, 2010

### oliphant

Brilliant, thank you very much!

6. Jan 12, 2010

### oliphant

There question then asks what the maximum rank for each of the 3 sets we defined would be (taking alpha, beta as ranks for a, b). for a) would it simply be alpha, as in when beta is the empty set, right? What sort of reasoning could I use for b?