Set Theory Problem Involving Partitions

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Homework Help Overview

This discussion revolves around a problem from set theory concerning partitions and their properties. The original poster presents a problem involving the ordering of partitions, specifically focusing on the concepts of infimum and supremum within the context of partitions of a set A.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the properties of cells in the infimum of a set of partitions and how these relate to equivalence classes. There is discussion on how to generalize methods from one part of the problem to another, particularly in proving the existence of infimum and supremum.

Discussion Status

Some participants have indicated progress on parts (c) and (d) of the problem, sharing their reasoning and proofs. There are ongoing clarifications regarding the properties of equivalence classes and the relationships between different partitions. Multiple interpretations of the hints provided in the problem are being explored.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the constraints of the problem as presented, with specific hints given for parts (c) and (d) that are being analyzed for their implications. There are noted corrections to previous statements, indicating an iterative process of understanding.

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This problem is from Hrbacek and Jech, Introduction to Set Theory, Third Edition, right at the end of chapter 2.

Homework Statement



Let A \neq {}; let Pt(A) be the set of all partitions of A. Define a relation \leq in Pt(A) by

S_{1} \leq S_{2} if and only if for every C \in S_{1} there is D \in S_{2} such that C \subseteq D.

(We say that the partition S_{1} is a refinement of the partition S_{2} if S_{1} \leq S_{2} holds.)

(a) Show that \leq is an ordering.

DONE.

(b) Let S_{1}, S_{2} \in Pt(A). Show that \{S_{1}, S_{2}\} has an infimum. [Hint: Define S = \{C \cap D | C \in S_{1} and D \in S_{2}\}.] How is the equivalence relation E_{S} related to the equivalences E_{S1} and E_{S2}?

DONE; E_{S} = E_{S1} \cap E_{S2}

(c) Let T \subseteq Pt(A). Show that infT exists.

(d) Let T \subseteq Pt(A). Show that supT exists. [Hint: Let T' be the set of all partitions S with the property that every partition from T is a refinement of S. Show that supT' = infT.]

Homework Equations



a \in Pt(A) is an upper bound of T in the ordered set (Pt(A), \leq) if x \leq a for all x \in T.

a \in Pt(A) is called a supremum of T in (Pt(A), \leq) if it is the least element of the set of all upper bounds of T in (Pt(A), \leq).

a \in Pt(A) is a lower bound of T in the ordered set (Pt(A), \leq) if a \leq x for all x \in T.

a \in Pt(A) is called an infimum of T in (Pt(A), \leq) if it is the greatest element of the set of all lower bounds of T in (Pt(A), \leq).

The Attempt at a Solution



I have been trying to answer part (c). I figured I would need to generalise the method for proving part (b) but I cannot figure out how to do it. Then I thought maybe the hint for part (d) might be relevant to solving part (c), but I can't get my head around how that would work either.
 
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Given any a\in A, what properties should the cell of a in \inf T have? How does that tell you how to compute the cell of a in \inf T from the members of T?
 
Is the cell of a in infT the equivalence class of a modulo E_{infT}, i.e., [a]_{E_{infT}}? If so, then I think the properties the cell of a in infT would have would be as follows:

For all a \in A, for all x \in T, [a]_{E_{infT}} \subseteq [a]_{E_{x}} and for all y \in Pt(A), if [a]_{E_{y}} \subseteq [a]_{E_{x}} then [a]_{E_{y}} \subseteq [a]_{E_{infT}}

Is that right?
 
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OK, I think I have worked out part (c). I couldn't be bothered doing all the latex, so if you are interested I have attached my work as .JPG files.
 

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. . . and here is the last page.
 

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Sorry, the 5th-last line on the last page should read:

For every x \in B and a \in A, \left[a\right]_{E_{x}} \subseteq \bigcap \left\{\left[a\right]_{E_{y}} \left| y \in T\right\}.
 
OK, I think I've got part (d) now as well, although I think the 'hint' was supposed to read: [Hint: Let <br /> T&#039;<br /> be the set of all partitions <br /> S<br /> with the property that every partition from <br /> T<br /> is a refinement of <br /> S<br />. Show that supT = infT&#039;.] I have attached the proof.
 

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Sorry, another mistake; in the first line it should say x \leq S, not x \in S.
 

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