Proof that T is bounded below with ##inf T = 2M##

In summary, the proof demonstrates that the set T has a lower bound, specifically showing that the greatest lower bound (infimum) of T is equal to 2M. This involves establishing that all elements of T are greater than or equal to 2M, thereby confirming that no element in T can fall below this threshold. The argument relies on properties of infimum and the definition of boundedness in the context of the set T.
  • #1
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Homework Statement
I have found two alternative proofs to the solutions of the problem below so I am wondering whether my proofs are valid.
Relevant Equations
##inf T = 2M##
1710206094952.png

1710206112678.png

My first solution is

Let
##S = \{x_1, x_2, x_3, ..., x_n\}##
##T = \{2x_1, 2x_2, 2x_3, ... 2x_n\}##
##T = 2S##

Therefore, ##inf T = inf 2S = 2inf S = 2M##

May someone please know whether this counts as a proof?

My second solution is,

##x ≥ M##
##2x ≥ 2M##
##y ≥ 2M## (Letting y = 2M)

Let ##inf T = N##
Therefore by using definition of infimum,
##N ≥ K## where ##K## is a lower bound
Let ##K = \frac{x}{n}## where ##n > 1##
Suppose ##N = 2M##
##N ≥ K##
##N ≥ \frac{x}{n}##
##2M ≥ \frac{x}{n}##

However, I am unsure where to go from here.

Any help greatly appreciated - Chiral.
 
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  • #2
The first proof is invalid, because it is not given that [itex]S[/itex] is finite (or countable).

Your aim is to show that [itex]2M = 2\inf S[/itex] is the infimum of [itex]T = \{ 2x: x \in S\}[/itex]. Do it directly: is [itex]2M[/itex] a lower bound for [itex]T[/itex]? If [itex]b > 2M[/itex], is [itex]b[/itex] a lower bound for [itex]T[/itex]?
 
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  • #3
Your goal is to show that for all ##t\in T##, ##2M\leq t##.
 
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  • #4
ChiralSuperfields said:
Homework Statement: I have found two alternative proofs to the solutions of the problem below so I am wondering whether my proofs are valid.
Relevant Equations: ##inf T = 2M##

View attachment 341650
View attachment 341651
My first solution is

Let
##S = \{x_1, x_2, x_3, ..., x_n\}##
##T = \{2x_1, 2x_2, 2x_3, ... 2x_n\}##
##T = 2S##

Therefore, ##inf T = inf 2S = 2inf S = 2M##

May someone please know whether this counts as a proof?

My second solution is,

##x ≥ M##
##2x ≥ 2M##
##y ≥ 2M## (Letting y = 2M)

Let ##inf T = N##
Therefore by using definition of infimum,
##N ≥ K## where ##K## is a lower bound
Let ##K = \frac{x}{n}## where ##n > 1##
Suppose ##N = 2M##
##N ≥ K##
##N ≥ \frac{x}{n}##
##2M ≥ \frac{x}{n}##

However, I am unsure where to go from here.

Any help greatly appreciated - Chiral.
For one, whether ##2x >x## will depend on the sign of ##x##. ##8>4##, but not so for ##-2, -1##.
 
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  • #5
The first argument does not count since that's what you have to prove in the first place. Why can you pull the ##2## in front of the infimum?

Either way ##2M## is clearly a lower bound for ##T## and by assumption we can find ## x\in S ## satisfying ##x<M+\frac{\varepsilon}{2}##, hence ##T\ni 2x < 2M+\varepsilon ##.
 
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FAQ: Proof that T is bounded below with ##inf T = 2M##

What does it mean for T to be bounded below?

For T to be bounded below means there exists a real number, say L, such that for all elements t in the set T, t is greater than or equal to L. In other words, no element in T is smaller than L.

What is the significance of ##inf T = 2M##?

The notation ##inf T = 2M## means that the greatest lower bound (infimum) of the set T is 2M. This implies that 2M is the highest number that is less than or equal to all elements in T, and no larger number has this property.

How can we prove that T is bounded below?

To prove that T is bounded below, we need to show that there exists a number L such that for all t in T, t >= L. Given that ##inf T = 2M##, we can take L = 2M. By definition of the infimum, 2M is less than or equal to every element in T, thus proving that T is bounded below.

What is the relationship between the infimum and the elements of T?

The infimum of T, denoted as ##inf T##, is the greatest number that is less than or equal to all elements of T. This means that for every element t in T, ##inf T <= t##. Additionally, if there is any number greater than the infimum, it cannot be a lower bound for T.

Can the infimum be an element of T?

Yes, the infimum can be an element of T, but it is not necessarily so. If the infimum is an element of T, it is called the minimum of T. However, there are cases where the infimum is not an element of T, especially if T does not include its greatest lower bound.

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