Math Problem Statement

Give an example of an infinite subset A of the interval (0,1) with the property that for every natural number, n, the intersections of A and (1/n,1) are finite.

Solution

We need to construct an infinite subset A(0,1)A \subset (0, 1) such that for every natural number nn, the intersection A(1n,1)A \cap \left( \frac{1}{n}, 1 \right) is finite.

Example of such a set AA:

Define the set AA as follows: A={1kkN,k2}A = \left\{ \frac{1}{k} \mid k \in \mathbb{N}, k \geq 2 \right\} This set AA consists of the reciprocals of natural numbers k2k \geq 2, meaning: A={12,13,14,15,}A = \left\{ \frac{1}{2}, \frac{1}{3}, \frac{1}{4}, \frac{1}{5}, \dots \right\}

Verifying the properties of AA:

  1. Infinite Set: AA is clearly infinite, as it contains all 1k\frac{1}{k} for k2k \geq 2, which is an infinite number of elements.

  2. Intersection with (1n,1)\left( \frac{1}{n}, 1 \right) is finite: For each natural number nn, consider the interval (1n,1)\left( \frac{1}{n}, 1 \right). This interval contains all numbers between 1n\frac{1}{n} and 1, but in AA, only a finite number of elements fall within this range. Specifically, the only elements of AA in (1n,1)\left( \frac{1}{n}, 1 \right) are 1n+1,1n+2,\frac{1}{n+1}, \frac{1}{n+2}, \dots, which is clearly a finite set.

Thus, A(1n,1)A \cap \left( \frac{1}{n}, 1 \right) is finite for each nn, even though AA itself is infinite.

Conclusion:

The set A={1kkN,k2}A = \left\{ \frac{1}{k} \mid k \in \mathbb{N}, k \geq 2 \right\} satisfies the given condition: it is an infinite subset of (0,1)(0, 1), but for every natural number nn, the intersection A(1n,1)A \cap \left( \frac{1}{n}, 1 \right) is finite.


Would you like further details or have any questions?

Here are 5 related questions to expand on this concept:

  1. What would happen if we allowed irrational numbers in AA? How could we redefine the set?
  2. Can you find another example of an infinite subset of (0,1)(0, 1) satisfying the same condition?
  3. How would the behavior of AA change if we considered intersections with intervals of the form (0,1n)\left( 0, \frac{1}{n} \right)?
  4. How could you generalize this concept for subsets of other intervals, say (0,2)(0,2)?
  5. What if instead of intervals, we required finite intersections with countable subsets of (0,1)(0,1)?

Tip: Constructing sets with specific properties often involves balancing the size and density of the set elements within different regions of the interval.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Set Theory
Real Analysis
Intervals

Formulas

A = { 1/k | k ∈ ℕ, k ≥ 2 }
A ∩ (1/n, 1)

Theorems

Finite Intersection Property
Density of Rational Numbers

Suitable Grade Level

Undergraduate Mathematics