Simple notation question about subsequences

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the notation and properties of subsequences in the context of metric spaces. Participants explore whether the notation implies that an element of a subsequence is always further down the original sequence than the corresponding element of the original sequence, particularly in the case of strictly decreasing sequences.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions if the notation of subsequences implies that \( a_{nm} \) is always further down the original sequence than \( a_n \), particularly in strictly decreasing sequences.
  • Another participant clarifies that the correct comparison should be between \( a_{nm} \) and \( a_m \), stating that \( n_m \geq m \) for all \( m \), which aligns with the definition of subsequences.
  • A third participant suggests that the question may have been misphrased and interprets it as asking if \( n_m \geq m \) holds true, affirming that the mapping is indeed increasing.
  • There is a note that the discussion has been moved to a general math category as it does not fit neatly into homework or convergence questions.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing interpretations of the original question and the notation involved, indicating that there is no consensus on the clarity of the question itself. However, there is agreement on the properties of subsequences regarding the indices.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights potential confusion regarding notation and the implications of subsequence definitions, particularly in relation to strictly decreasing sequences. There are unresolved aspects regarding the clarity of the original question.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for students and practitioners interested in the properties of sequences and subsequences in mathematical analysis, particularly in the context of metric spaces.

gottfried
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Hey guys,
I was just reading notes on metric spaces and was wondering if the notation of subsequences was such that anm is always further down the original sequence than an? For example suppose you have a strictly decreasing sequnce does the notation imply that anm<an
 
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gottfried said:
Hey guys,
I was just reading notes on metric spaces and was wondering if the notation of subsequences was such that anm is always further down the original sequence than an? For example suppose you have a strictly decreasing sequnce does the notation imply that anm<an


You have some notation confusion. The correct comparison is anm with am. The nm is supposed to be a sequence of integers n1, n2, etc. and you don't get to specify what n is, you specify what m is. But your intuition is correct, nm ≥ m for all m, so if your sequence is decreasing you would get anm ≤ am
 
The question doesn't make sense as it's written, but you probably meant ##a_m## when you said ##a_n##. So the question is (I think) if ##n_m\geq m## for all m.

The answer to that is yes, the map ##m\mapsto n_m## is increasing. If it wasn't, we wouldn't be dealing with a subsequence, but a rearrangement of a subsequence.

I'm moving the post to general math. Since it's not a question about a textbook-style problem, it doesn't belong in homework, and since you're not asking about convergence, it doesn't really belong in topology & analysis either.

Edit: I didn't see Office_Shredder's post until after I had finished mine.
 
Thanks guys.
 

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