Showing that Increasing sequences of natural numbers is uncountable

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves demonstrating that the set of all increasing sequences of natural numbers is uncountable. The context is rooted in set theory and the properties of countability.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the potential use of a diagonal argument and explore the relationship between increasing sequences of natural numbers and infinite binary sequences. There is mention of a bijection as a possible approach to establish uncountability.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants providing examples and suggesting connections to known uncountable sets. Some guidance has been offered regarding the use of bijections and diagonal arguments, but no consensus has been reached on a specific method.

Contextual Notes

Participants are considering the implications of existing knowledge about countable and uncountable sets, particularly in relation to sequences and their representations.

renjean
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Homework Statement


Show that A, the set of all increasing sequences of natural numbers is uncountable


Homework Equations


I know that the natural numbers themselves are countable.


The Attempt at a Solution


I am thinking of using some sort of diagonal argument to prove this.
 
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Well take the example:

Let R denote the reals. Let R′ denote the set of real numbers, between 0 and 1, having decimal expansions that only involve 3s and 7s. s. (This set R′ is an example of what is called a Cantor set. ) There is a bijection between R′ and the set S of infinite binary sequences. For instance, the sequence 0101001.. is mapped to .3737337... Hence R′ is uncountable. Hope this gives you a clue on how to start.
 
Last edited:
You probably know how to show that the set of all infinite sequences of 0's and 1's is uncountable by a diagonal argument. Can you think of a bijection between infinite sequences of increasing natural numbers and infinite sequences of 0's and 1's?
 
Dick said:
You probably know how to show that the set of all infinite sequences of 0's and 1's is uncountable by a diagonal argument. Can you think of a bijection between infinite sequences of increasing natural numbers and infinite sequences of 0's and 1's?


That's kind of what I was trying to tell him.
 
mtayab1994 said:
That's kind of what I was trying to tell him.

Yes, I see that it was. Sorry to be redundant.
 
Not a problem he's here for our help.
 
That helps a lot! Thank you to the both of you.
 

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