The power set of the power set of an infinite set

In summary: In this case, the power set of the power set of X would be equivalent to the set of real numbers, which is uncountable. This is not an example of a large cardinal, as large cardinals are much larger and their existence cannot be proven. In summary, the power set of the power set of a countably infinite set X would be equivalent to the set of real numbers, which is uncountable. This is not an example of a large cardinal, as large cardinals are much larger and their existence cannot be proven.
  • #1
julypraise
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Let X be a set which is countably infinite. Then is there any example, on earth, of the power set of the power set of X?
 
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  • #2
julypraise said:
Let X be a set which is countably infinite. Then is there any example, on earth, of the power set of the power set of X?

Isn't that just a set with 2^n elements (the power set)? If so couldn't you just write P(P(S)) where S your set in question? The set itself would be uncountable but that shouldn't change the properties of the result should it?

Do you have a particular set S in mind or are you just interested in any uncountable set for S?
 
  • #3
Because X is countabliy infinite, you can take any set that is countably infinite such as Q or Z^+ or Z, etc. And as most people know, P(X) in this case is equivalent to R. But my question here is what on Earth P(R) for example? Is it an, like, example of large cardinal?
 
  • #4
julypraise said:
Because X is countabliy infinite, you can take any set that is countably infinite such as Q or Z^+ or Z, etc. And as most people know, P(X) in this case is equivalent to R. But my question here is what on Earth P(R) for example? Is it an, like, example of large cardinal?

I think this might be of use to you:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beth_number#Beth_two
 
  • #5
Thanks, it was indeed helpful!
 
  • #6
There are some natural examples of sets which such a cardinality.
An important example (although quite advanced), is the Cech-Stone compactification of [itex]\mathbb{N}[/itex]. This can be shown to have the same cardinality of the powerset of [itex]\mathbb{R}[/itex].

This is NOT an example of a large cardinal. Large cardinals are very large, and can not be written so easily as the powerset of R. Indeed, the existence of large cardinals can usually not be shown, only postulated.
 
  • #7
julypraise said:
Let X be a set which is countably infinite. Then is there any example, on earth, of the power set of the power set of X?

If you mean physical objects, then there are no infinite sets on Earth.
 
  • #8
julypraise said:
Let X be a set which is countably infinite. Then is there any example, on earth, of the power set of the power set of X?

The power set of an infinite set is always of a higher cardinality than that of the infinite set.
 

1. What is the power set of the power set of an infinite set?

The power set of the power set of an infinite set is the set of all subsets of the power set of the original infinite set. In other words, it is the set of all possible combinations of subsets of subsets of the original infinite set.

2. How is the power set of the power set of an infinite set different from the power set of an infinite set?

The main difference is that the power set of the power set contains subsets of subsets, while the power set only contains subsets of the original set. This means that the power set of the power set has a larger cardinality and contains more elements.

3. Is the power set of the power set of an infinite set always infinite?

Yes, the power set of the power set of an infinite set is always infinite. This is because the original infinite set has an infinite number of elements, and the power set of an infinite set already has a larger cardinality than the original set. Therefore, the power set of the power set will also have an infinite number of elements.

4. Can the power set of the power set of an infinite set be empty?

No, the power set of the power set of an infinite set cannot be empty. This is because the power set of the original infinite set is never empty, and the power set of the power set contains all possible combinations of subsets of subsets of the original set. Therefore, it will always have at least one element.

5. How is the power set of the power set of an infinite set related to Cantor's diagonalization argument?

The power set of the power set of an infinite set is related to Cantor's diagonalization argument in that it illustrates the concept of uncountable sets. Cantor's argument states that the cardinality of the power set of a set is always greater than the cardinality of the original set. This is also true for the power set of the power set, further demonstrating the infinite nature of these sets.

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