Understanding Well-Founded Sets

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SUMMARY

The discussion clarifies the concept of well-founded sets, specifically addressing the set d = {{x},{x,y},{x,y,z}}. It establishes that this set is well-founded because every non-empty subset contains a minimal element under the relation of membership (∈). The distinction between well-founded and well-ordered sets is emphasized, noting that well-founded sets can exhibit partial order rather than the linear order characteristic of well-ordered sets. The relation ∈ is confirmed as a partial order for the given set d, leading to multiple minimal elements in certain subsets.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of set theory and basic set notation
  • Familiarity with the concepts of partial order and linear order
  • Knowledge of relations and their properties in mathematics
  • Basic comprehension of minimal elements in ordered sets
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  • Study the properties of well-founded relations in set theory
  • Explore the differences between well-founded and well-ordered sets
  • Learn about the implications of partial orders in mathematical structures
  • Investigate examples of minimal elements in various types of sets
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Mathematicians, computer scientists, and students studying set theory or order theory who seek a deeper understanding of well-founded sets and their properties.

Mikemaths
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I am struggling to properly understand the concept of a well-founded set.

Is this well founded, d = {{x},{x,y},{x,y,z}}

because there exists an element of d i.e. {x} = e

such that d n e = 0 ?
 
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Well-foundness usually is related to a relation (order).

Well-foundness is generalization of well-order. The difference is that well-order is linear and well-found is not necessary linear, but is partial order.

The definition is:
The relation E on set P is well-founded if any non-empty subset has E-minimal element.
Now, very often the natural order(relation) for sets is belonging \in.

So in this case, in your example d is well-founded since any non-empty subset:
1){{x}},2) {{x,y}},3) {{x,y,z}}, 4){{x},{x,y}}, 5){{x},{x,y,z}}, 6){{x,y}, {x,y,z}} , 7){{x},{x,y},{x,y,z}} has a minimal elements such as:
1){x}, 2){x,y}, 3){x,y,z}, 4){x}, {x,y} (since {x} \notin {x,y} 5) {x}, {x,y,z} 6) {x,y} , {x,y,z} 7) {x}, {x,y} {x,y,z}

Notice that \in is partial order on your set d. That is why 4), 5) 6) and 7) have several minimal elements.

So d is well-founded but not well-ordered, since it is not linear ordered by \in.
 

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