Understanding some basic set theory stuff.

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around basic concepts in set theory, specifically examining the truth of several statements regarding subsets and their relationships. Participants are tasked with explaining why each statement is true, focusing on their understanding of set notation and properties.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants attempt to clarify their understanding of why certain sets are subsets of others, with specific focus on the implications of ordered pairs versus ordered triples. Questions arise regarding the formal reasoning behind these relationships and the definitions involved.

Discussion Status

Some participants express uncertainty about their reasoning, particularly regarding the second statement. Insights are shared as participants reflect on their understanding, leading to further exploration of the implications of set notation. Guidance is offered on the nature of the sets involved, but no consensus is reached on all points.

Contextual Notes

Participants note difficulties with formalizing their reasoning and the need for clarity in distinguishing between the elements of the sets being discussed. There is an acknowledgment of the broader implications of set builder notation and its representation of solutions to equations.

U.Renko
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This is more to see if I understand it or not.
There are four statements and I need to explain why they are true. (they all are)
I understand it why some of they are, but my answers just don't feel accurate/formal enough.

Homework Equations



1) [itex]\mathbb{R}^3 \subseteq \mathbb{R}^3[/itex]
2) [itex]\mathbb{R}^2 \nsubseteq \mathbb{R}^3[/itex]
3) [itex]\left \{ (x,y): x - 1= 0 \right \} \subseteq \left \{ (x,y): x^2 - x = 0 \right \}[/itex]
4) [itex]\left \{ (x,y): x^2 - x = 0 \right \} \nsubseteq \left \{ (x,y): x - 1 =0 \right \}[/itex]

The Attempt at a Solution



1) is true simply because X is a subset of X for any set X. no problem with this one

2) is not so obvious for me.
I understand that one consists of ordered pairs and the other of ordered triples. But I'm not sure if this affects anything.

3) is true because { 1 } is a subset of { -1 , 1}

4) is true because { -1 , 1 } is not a subset of { 1 }


By The way: I was having trouble with 3 and 4. But I kinda got an insight while typing.
not sure if it could be more formal maybe.

So the really troubling one is 2.
 
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1) is true simply because X is a subset of X for any set X. no problem with this one
X is actually identical to X. - the reasoning works because of the [itex]\subseteq[/itex] sign, so you don't have to muddle with X being it's own subset and superset at the same time.

2) is not so obvious for me.
I understand that one consists of ordered pairs and the other of ordered triples. But I'm not sure if this affects anything.

if otherwise, then all ordered pairs would be ordered triples

3) is true because { 1 } is a subset of { -1 , 1}

4) is true because { -1 , 1 } is not a subset of { 1 }

technically - because -1 is a member of the {LHS} but not a member of {RHS}

[itex]x=-1 \in \left \{ (x,y): x^2 - x = 0 \right \}[/itex] but [itex]x=-1 \notin \left \{ (x,y): x - 1 =0 \right \}[/itex]

By The way: I was having trouble with 3 and 4. But I kinda got an insight while typing.
not sure if it could be more formal maybe.

... Sometimes explaining the problem leads to a solution :)
 
Last edited:
U.Renko said:
This is more to see if I understand it or not.
There are four statements and I need to explain why they are true. (they all are)
I understand it why some of they are, but my answers just don't feel accurate/formal enough.

Homework Equations



1) [itex]\mathbb{R}^3 \subseteq \mathbb{R}^3[/itex]
2) [itex]\mathbb{R}^2 \nsubseteq \mathbb{R}^3[/itex]
3) [itex]\left \{ (x,y): x - 1= 0 \right \} \subseteq \left \{ (x,y): x^2 - x = 0 \right \}[/itex]
4) [itex]\left \{ (x,y): x^2 - x = 0 \right \} \nsubseteq \left \{ (x,y): x - 1 =0 \right \}[/itex]

The Attempt at a Solution



1) is true simply because X is a subset of X for any set X. no problem with this one

2) is not so obvious for me.
I understand that one consists of ordered pairs and the other of ordered triples. But I'm not sure if this affects anything.

3) is true because { 1 } is a subset of { -1 , 1}
Your reason is not especially relevant. {(x, y) : x - 1 = 0} is not a single number. This set and the other one in this problem are sets of ordered pairs. Think about what the graph of x = 1 looks like in the plane.
U.Renko said:
4) is true because { -1 , 1 } is not a subset of { 1 }
Your reason is not especially relevant.
As in #3, both sets are sets of ordered pairs.
U.Renko said:
By The way: I was having trouble with 3 and 4. But I kinda got an insight while typing.
not sure if it could be more formal maybe.

So the really troubling one is 2.
 
I see

so the correct answer for 3 would be

[itex]\left \{ ( 1, 0 ) \right \} \subseteq \left \{ (-1,0) , (1,0) \right \}[/itex]

and for 4 it would be

[itex]\left \{ (-1,0) , (1,0) \right \}\nsubseteq \left \{ ( 1, 0 ) \right \}[/itex]

thanks for helping!
 
No, those would not be the correct "answers" because your answer was supposed to be a reason. What you give in your last post is just an incorrect restatement of the problem.

(3) is true because every member of the set on the left (which is NOT just the pair (1, 0) but every pair of the form (1, y) where y can be any number) is also in the set on the right- which contains all pairs of the form (1, y) and (-1, y).

(4) is false because the set on the left contains some members of the form (-1, y) which arte not in the set on the right.
 
Oh I see.
basically what I was thinking about in my first post was that it simply represented the set of solutions to the equation X^2 - x = 0

But now that you mention I notice that in the Set builder notation, not only it mentions it is an ordered pair, but it puts no restraint on values of y.
So basically it can take any value of y...

Is that correct?
if so then I guess I might need to be more careful
 
Yes, the set {(x, y) | x2 - x = 0} represents two vertical lines in the plane. The equations of these lines are x = 1 and x = 0.
 

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