When is a set infinite












2












$begingroup$


Prove a set A is infinite if and only if it has a subset B ⊂ A such that B $neq$ A and
|B| = |A|.



For the direction where we have B as a subset of A and have |B| = |A| and need to prove A is infinite,
I want to say that this should work-



Say A is finite. Then B is finite, by way of being a proper subset of A. Therefore, cardinalities of A and B cannot be the same since there exists no bijection between them. This is a contradiction to our hypothesis that they are indeed the same. Hence, A must be infinite.



For the direction where we show if A is infinite, then there must exist B (a proper subset) such that cardinalities of A and B are same, I said this:



If there exists a proper subset B such that cardinalities of A and B are not same, then there exists no bijection between A and B. This is true for finite sets. Now how do I move to say that this must mean infinite sets do not have this property?



NOTE: I'm taking an introductory level class in proof writing and there has been no mention of the axiom of choice.










share|cite|improve this question











$endgroup$








  • 1




    $begingroup$
    Bear in mind an infinite set has both same-sized and smaller proper subsets, so you can't force a contradiction just from a proper subset being smaller.
    $endgroup$
    – J.G.
    Dec 11 '18 at 21:40






  • 1




    $begingroup$
    Just because choice wasn't mentioned doesn't mean it's being used or that it is necessary. Of course, you are also assuming that your definition of "infinite" is known to everyone. Seeing how you made that "NOTE" at the end, it might be wise to include your definition of "finite" and "infinite" at the end.
    $endgroup$
    – Asaf Karagila
    Dec 12 '18 at 0:04












  • $begingroup$
    You see I was aware of not having defined what I meant by finite or infinite, but that is precisely my issue. Infinite sets were just introduced as "not finite" in class. In other words, when we don't have a finite number of elements in the set, we called that an infinite set, so I am not entirely sure which definition of set uses which assumptions/axioms.
    $endgroup$
    – childishsadbino
    Dec 12 '18 at 0:12


















2












$begingroup$


Prove a set A is infinite if and only if it has a subset B ⊂ A such that B $neq$ A and
|B| = |A|.



For the direction where we have B as a subset of A and have |B| = |A| and need to prove A is infinite,
I want to say that this should work-



Say A is finite. Then B is finite, by way of being a proper subset of A. Therefore, cardinalities of A and B cannot be the same since there exists no bijection between them. This is a contradiction to our hypothesis that they are indeed the same. Hence, A must be infinite.



For the direction where we show if A is infinite, then there must exist B (a proper subset) such that cardinalities of A and B are same, I said this:



If there exists a proper subset B such that cardinalities of A and B are not same, then there exists no bijection between A and B. This is true for finite sets. Now how do I move to say that this must mean infinite sets do not have this property?



NOTE: I'm taking an introductory level class in proof writing and there has been no mention of the axiom of choice.










share|cite|improve this question











$endgroup$








  • 1




    $begingroup$
    Bear in mind an infinite set has both same-sized and smaller proper subsets, so you can't force a contradiction just from a proper subset being smaller.
    $endgroup$
    – J.G.
    Dec 11 '18 at 21:40






  • 1




    $begingroup$
    Just because choice wasn't mentioned doesn't mean it's being used or that it is necessary. Of course, you are also assuming that your definition of "infinite" is known to everyone. Seeing how you made that "NOTE" at the end, it might be wise to include your definition of "finite" and "infinite" at the end.
    $endgroup$
    – Asaf Karagila
    Dec 12 '18 at 0:04












  • $begingroup$
    You see I was aware of not having defined what I meant by finite or infinite, but that is precisely my issue. Infinite sets were just introduced as "not finite" in class. In other words, when we don't have a finite number of elements in the set, we called that an infinite set, so I am not entirely sure which definition of set uses which assumptions/axioms.
    $endgroup$
    – childishsadbino
    Dec 12 '18 at 0:12
















2












2








2





$begingroup$


Prove a set A is infinite if and only if it has a subset B ⊂ A such that B $neq$ A and
|B| = |A|.



For the direction where we have B as a subset of A and have |B| = |A| and need to prove A is infinite,
I want to say that this should work-



Say A is finite. Then B is finite, by way of being a proper subset of A. Therefore, cardinalities of A and B cannot be the same since there exists no bijection between them. This is a contradiction to our hypothesis that they are indeed the same. Hence, A must be infinite.



For the direction where we show if A is infinite, then there must exist B (a proper subset) such that cardinalities of A and B are same, I said this:



If there exists a proper subset B such that cardinalities of A and B are not same, then there exists no bijection between A and B. This is true for finite sets. Now how do I move to say that this must mean infinite sets do not have this property?



NOTE: I'm taking an introductory level class in proof writing and there has been no mention of the axiom of choice.










share|cite|improve this question











$endgroup$




Prove a set A is infinite if and only if it has a subset B ⊂ A such that B $neq$ A and
|B| = |A|.



For the direction where we have B as a subset of A and have |B| = |A| and need to prove A is infinite,
I want to say that this should work-



Say A is finite. Then B is finite, by way of being a proper subset of A. Therefore, cardinalities of A and B cannot be the same since there exists no bijection between them. This is a contradiction to our hypothesis that they are indeed the same. Hence, A must be infinite.



For the direction where we show if A is infinite, then there must exist B (a proper subset) such that cardinalities of A and B are same, I said this:



If there exists a proper subset B such that cardinalities of A and B are not same, then there exists no bijection between A and B. This is true for finite sets. Now how do I move to say that this must mean infinite sets do not have this property?



NOTE: I'm taking an introductory level class in proof writing and there has been no mention of the axiom of choice.







elementary-set-theory






share|cite|improve this question















share|cite|improve this question













share|cite|improve this question




share|cite|improve this question








edited Dec 13 '18 at 5:31









Andrés E. Caicedo

65.5k8159250




65.5k8159250










asked Dec 11 '18 at 21:35









childishsadbinochildishsadbino

1148




1148








  • 1




    $begingroup$
    Bear in mind an infinite set has both same-sized and smaller proper subsets, so you can't force a contradiction just from a proper subset being smaller.
    $endgroup$
    – J.G.
    Dec 11 '18 at 21:40






  • 1




    $begingroup$
    Just because choice wasn't mentioned doesn't mean it's being used or that it is necessary. Of course, you are also assuming that your definition of "infinite" is known to everyone. Seeing how you made that "NOTE" at the end, it might be wise to include your definition of "finite" and "infinite" at the end.
    $endgroup$
    – Asaf Karagila
    Dec 12 '18 at 0:04












  • $begingroup$
    You see I was aware of not having defined what I meant by finite or infinite, but that is precisely my issue. Infinite sets were just introduced as "not finite" in class. In other words, when we don't have a finite number of elements in the set, we called that an infinite set, so I am not entirely sure which definition of set uses which assumptions/axioms.
    $endgroup$
    – childishsadbino
    Dec 12 '18 at 0:12
















  • 1




    $begingroup$
    Bear in mind an infinite set has both same-sized and smaller proper subsets, so you can't force a contradiction just from a proper subset being smaller.
    $endgroup$
    – J.G.
    Dec 11 '18 at 21:40






  • 1




    $begingroup$
    Just because choice wasn't mentioned doesn't mean it's being used or that it is necessary. Of course, you are also assuming that your definition of "infinite" is known to everyone. Seeing how you made that "NOTE" at the end, it might be wise to include your definition of "finite" and "infinite" at the end.
    $endgroup$
    – Asaf Karagila
    Dec 12 '18 at 0:04












  • $begingroup$
    You see I was aware of not having defined what I meant by finite or infinite, but that is precisely my issue. Infinite sets were just introduced as "not finite" in class. In other words, when we don't have a finite number of elements in the set, we called that an infinite set, so I am not entirely sure which definition of set uses which assumptions/axioms.
    $endgroup$
    – childishsadbino
    Dec 12 '18 at 0:12










1




1




$begingroup$
Bear in mind an infinite set has both same-sized and smaller proper subsets, so you can't force a contradiction just from a proper subset being smaller.
$endgroup$
– J.G.
Dec 11 '18 at 21:40




$begingroup$
Bear in mind an infinite set has both same-sized and smaller proper subsets, so you can't force a contradiction just from a proper subset being smaller.
$endgroup$
– J.G.
Dec 11 '18 at 21:40




1




1




$begingroup$
Just because choice wasn't mentioned doesn't mean it's being used or that it is necessary. Of course, you are also assuming that your definition of "infinite" is known to everyone. Seeing how you made that "NOTE" at the end, it might be wise to include your definition of "finite" and "infinite" at the end.
$endgroup$
– Asaf Karagila
Dec 12 '18 at 0:04






$begingroup$
Just because choice wasn't mentioned doesn't mean it's being used or that it is necessary. Of course, you are also assuming that your definition of "infinite" is known to everyone. Seeing how you made that "NOTE" at the end, it might be wise to include your definition of "finite" and "infinite" at the end.
$endgroup$
– Asaf Karagila
Dec 12 '18 at 0:04














$begingroup$
You see I was aware of not having defined what I meant by finite or infinite, but that is precisely my issue. Infinite sets were just introduced as "not finite" in class. In other words, when we don't have a finite number of elements in the set, we called that an infinite set, so I am not entirely sure which definition of set uses which assumptions/axioms.
$endgroup$
– childishsadbino
Dec 12 '18 at 0:12






$begingroup$
You see I was aware of not having defined what I meant by finite or infinite, but that is precisely my issue. Infinite sets were just introduced as "not finite" in class. In other words, when we don't have a finite number of elements in the set, we called that an infinite set, so I am not entirely sure which definition of set uses which assumptions/axioms.
$endgroup$
– childishsadbino
Dec 12 '18 at 0:12












2 Answers
2






active

oldest

votes


















0












$begingroup$

The usual proof uses the fact that $A$ has a proper subset that is countable. Call it $C$ and label its elements $c_1,c_2dots$.



Then we can construct a bijection $A rightarrow Asetminus {c_1}$. The function is defined by $f(x)=x$ if $x$ is not in $C$ and $f(c_n)=c_{n+1}$



Now in order to show the countable subset exists just build it with induction.






share|cite|improve this answer









$endgroup$





















    0












    $begingroup$

    Thanks for warning us not to use the axiom of choice, since that makes for such an easy proof of a countably infinite subset (which is the crux of the problem) one could be forgiven for not knowing a choice-free strategy to prove the same.



    If $A$ is infinite $Bbb N$ can either be injected or surjected to $A$, respectively implying $A$ has an infinite subset or $A$ is countable. In the latter case $A$ is countably infinite and can be bijected with $Bbb N$, so either way $A$ has a subset we can biject with $Bbb N$, say ${f(n)|ninBbb N}$.



    Finally, $B:=Abackslash{f(0)}$ bijects with $A$; in the $Bto A$ direction send $f(n)$ to $f(n-1)$, or any other element of $B$ to itself.






    share|cite|improve this answer









    $endgroup$









    • 3




      $begingroup$
      Isn't the OP's statement "Every infinite set is Dedekind-infinite", which requires some form of choice?
      $endgroup$
      – eyeballfrog
      Dec 11 '18 at 21:55










    • $begingroup$
      @eyeballfrog: That depends on the choice of definition of infinite...
      $endgroup$
      – Asaf Karagila
      Dec 12 '18 at 0:05










    • $begingroup$
      After having read the definition of a Dedekind-infinite set, I believe that is what I mean to use as the definition of infinite.
      $endgroup$
      – childishsadbino
      Dec 12 '18 at 0:18











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    2 Answers
    2






    active

    oldest

    votes








    2 Answers
    2






    active

    oldest

    votes









    active

    oldest

    votes






    active

    oldest

    votes









    0












    $begingroup$

    The usual proof uses the fact that $A$ has a proper subset that is countable. Call it $C$ and label its elements $c_1,c_2dots$.



    Then we can construct a bijection $A rightarrow Asetminus {c_1}$. The function is defined by $f(x)=x$ if $x$ is not in $C$ and $f(c_n)=c_{n+1}$



    Now in order to show the countable subset exists just build it with induction.






    share|cite|improve this answer









    $endgroup$


















      0












      $begingroup$

      The usual proof uses the fact that $A$ has a proper subset that is countable. Call it $C$ and label its elements $c_1,c_2dots$.



      Then we can construct a bijection $A rightarrow Asetminus {c_1}$. The function is defined by $f(x)=x$ if $x$ is not in $C$ and $f(c_n)=c_{n+1}$



      Now in order to show the countable subset exists just build it with induction.






      share|cite|improve this answer









      $endgroup$
















        0












        0








        0





        $begingroup$

        The usual proof uses the fact that $A$ has a proper subset that is countable. Call it $C$ and label its elements $c_1,c_2dots$.



        Then we can construct a bijection $A rightarrow Asetminus {c_1}$. The function is defined by $f(x)=x$ if $x$ is not in $C$ and $f(c_n)=c_{n+1}$



        Now in order to show the countable subset exists just build it with induction.






        share|cite|improve this answer









        $endgroup$



        The usual proof uses the fact that $A$ has a proper subset that is countable. Call it $C$ and label its elements $c_1,c_2dots$.



        Then we can construct a bijection $A rightarrow Asetminus {c_1}$. The function is defined by $f(x)=x$ if $x$ is not in $C$ and $f(c_n)=c_{n+1}$



        Now in order to show the countable subset exists just build it with induction.







        share|cite|improve this answer












        share|cite|improve this answer



        share|cite|improve this answer










        answered Dec 11 '18 at 21:48









        Jorge Fernández HidalgoJorge Fernández Hidalgo

        75.5k1191192




        75.5k1191192























            0












            $begingroup$

            Thanks for warning us not to use the axiom of choice, since that makes for such an easy proof of a countably infinite subset (which is the crux of the problem) one could be forgiven for not knowing a choice-free strategy to prove the same.



            If $A$ is infinite $Bbb N$ can either be injected or surjected to $A$, respectively implying $A$ has an infinite subset or $A$ is countable. In the latter case $A$ is countably infinite and can be bijected with $Bbb N$, so either way $A$ has a subset we can biject with $Bbb N$, say ${f(n)|ninBbb N}$.



            Finally, $B:=Abackslash{f(0)}$ bijects with $A$; in the $Bto A$ direction send $f(n)$ to $f(n-1)$, or any other element of $B$ to itself.






            share|cite|improve this answer









            $endgroup$









            • 3




              $begingroup$
              Isn't the OP's statement "Every infinite set is Dedekind-infinite", which requires some form of choice?
              $endgroup$
              – eyeballfrog
              Dec 11 '18 at 21:55










            • $begingroup$
              @eyeballfrog: That depends on the choice of definition of infinite...
              $endgroup$
              – Asaf Karagila
              Dec 12 '18 at 0:05










            • $begingroup$
              After having read the definition of a Dedekind-infinite set, I believe that is what I mean to use as the definition of infinite.
              $endgroup$
              – childishsadbino
              Dec 12 '18 at 0:18
















            0












            $begingroup$

            Thanks for warning us not to use the axiom of choice, since that makes for such an easy proof of a countably infinite subset (which is the crux of the problem) one could be forgiven for not knowing a choice-free strategy to prove the same.



            If $A$ is infinite $Bbb N$ can either be injected or surjected to $A$, respectively implying $A$ has an infinite subset or $A$ is countable. In the latter case $A$ is countably infinite and can be bijected with $Bbb N$, so either way $A$ has a subset we can biject with $Bbb N$, say ${f(n)|ninBbb N}$.



            Finally, $B:=Abackslash{f(0)}$ bijects with $A$; in the $Bto A$ direction send $f(n)$ to $f(n-1)$, or any other element of $B$ to itself.






            share|cite|improve this answer









            $endgroup$









            • 3




              $begingroup$
              Isn't the OP's statement "Every infinite set is Dedekind-infinite", which requires some form of choice?
              $endgroup$
              – eyeballfrog
              Dec 11 '18 at 21:55










            • $begingroup$
              @eyeballfrog: That depends on the choice of definition of infinite...
              $endgroup$
              – Asaf Karagila
              Dec 12 '18 at 0:05










            • $begingroup$
              After having read the definition of a Dedekind-infinite set, I believe that is what I mean to use as the definition of infinite.
              $endgroup$
              – childishsadbino
              Dec 12 '18 at 0:18














            0












            0








            0





            $begingroup$

            Thanks for warning us not to use the axiom of choice, since that makes for such an easy proof of a countably infinite subset (which is the crux of the problem) one could be forgiven for not knowing a choice-free strategy to prove the same.



            If $A$ is infinite $Bbb N$ can either be injected or surjected to $A$, respectively implying $A$ has an infinite subset or $A$ is countable. In the latter case $A$ is countably infinite and can be bijected with $Bbb N$, so either way $A$ has a subset we can biject with $Bbb N$, say ${f(n)|ninBbb N}$.



            Finally, $B:=Abackslash{f(0)}$ bijects with $A$; in the $Bto A$ direction send $f(n)$ to $f(n-1)$, or any other element of $B$ to itself.






            share|cite|improve this answer









            $endgroup$



            Thanks for warning us not to use the axiom of choice, since that makes for such an easy proof of a countably infinite subset (which is the crux of the problem) one could be forgiven for not knowing a choice-free strategy to prove the same.



            If $A$ is infinite $Bbb N$ can either be injected or surjected to $A$, respectively implying $A$ has an infinite subset or $A$ is countable. In the latter case $A$ is countably infinite and can be bijected with $Bbb N$, so either way $A$ has a subset we can biject with $Bbb N$, say ${f(n)|ninBbb N}$.



            Finally, $B:=Abackslash{f(0)}$ bijects with $A$; in the $Bto A$ direction send $f(n)$ to $f(n-1)$, or any other element of $B$ to itself.







            share|cite|improve this answer












            share|cite|improve this answer



            share|cite|improve this answer










            answered Dec 11 '18 at 21:48









            J.G.J.G.

            27.9k22843




            27.9k22843








            • 3




              $begingroup$
              Isn't the OP's statement "Every infinite set is Dedekind-infinite", which requires some form of choice?
              $endgroup$
              – eyeballfrog
              Dec 11 '18 at 21:55










            • $begingroup$
              @eyeballfrog: That depends on the choice of definition of infinite...
              $endgroup$
              – Asaf Karagila
              Dec 12 '18 at 0:05










            • $begingroup$
              After having read the definition of a Dedekind-infinite set, I believe that is what I mean to use as the definition of infinite.
              $endgroup$
              – childishsadbino
              Dec 12 '18 at 0:18














            • 3




              $begingroup$
              Isn't the OP's statement "Every infinite set is Dedekind-infinite", which requires some form of choice?
              $endgroup$
              – eyeballfrog
              Dec 11 '18 at 21:55










            • $begingroup$
              @eyeballfrog: That depends on the choice of definition of infinite...
              $endgroup$
              – Asaf Karagila
              Dec 12 '18 at 0:05










            • $begingroup$
              After having read the definition of a Dedekind-infinite set, I believe that is what I mean to use as the definition of infinite.
              $endgroup$
              – childishsadbino
              Dec 12 '18 at 0:18








            3




            3




            $begingroup$
            Isn't the OP's statement "Every infinite set is Dedekind-infinite", which requires some form of choice?
            $endgroup$
            – eyeballfrog
            Dec 11 '18 at 21:55




            $begingroup$
            Isn't the OP's statement "Every infinite set is Dedekind-infinite", which requires some form of choice?
            $endgroup$
            – eyeballfrog
            Dec 11 '18 at 21:55












            $begingroup$
            @eyeballfrog: That depends on the choice of definition of infinite...
            $endgroup$
            – Asaf Karagila
            Dec 12 '18 at 0:05




            $begingroup$
            @eyeballfrog: That depends on the choice of definition of infinite...
            $endgroup$
            – Asaf Karagila
            Dec 12 '18 at 0:05












            $begingroup$
            After having read the definition of a Dedekind-infinite set, I believe that is what I mean to use as the definition of infinite.
            $endgroup$
            – childishsadbino
            Dec 12 '18 at 0:18




            $begingroup$
            After having read the definition of a Dedekind-infinite set, I believe that is what I mean to use as the definition of infinite.
            $endgroup$
            – childishsadbino
            Dec 12 '18 at 0:18


















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