Prove that the n-cube is connected, for n ≥ 1

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In summary, the conversation is discussing how to prove that the n-cube is connected using two copies of the (n-1)-cube and induction. It uses the example of the 1-cube and 2-cube to explain the process and mentions the use of the fact that the interval [0, 1] is connected.
  • #1
hyderman
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hello

any pone have any idea how to solve this question

thanx

Prove that the n-cube is connected, for n ≥ 1.
(Hint: build the n-cube using two copies of (n − 1)-cube and use induction
on n.)
 
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  • #2
Think about what they are asking you to do. The "0-cube" is a single point. The "1-cube" is a line segment. You "build the 1-cube using two copies of the 0-cube" by connecting two points. If one of the points is labled "0" and the other is labled "1" then every point on the 1-cube is labled "x" for 0<= x<= 1. I assume that you are allowed to use the fact that the interval [0, 1] is connected.

The 2-cube is a square. You "build the 2-cube using two copies of the 1-cube" by using each one cube as an edge. In particular, if every point on one 1-cube is labled (x, 0) and the other (x, 1), then every point in the 2-cube is labled (x,y) with 0<= y< = 1.

If every point on one n-1-cube is labled (x1, x2, ..., xn-1, 0) and every point on the other n-1-cube is labled (x1, x2, ..., xn-1, 1) then every point on the n-cube is labled (x1, x2, ..., xn-1, xn[/sup]). Now use the fact that the n-1-cube and the interval [0,1] is connected to prove that the n-cube is connected.
 
  • #3


To prove that the n-cube is connected for n ≥ 1, we can use mathematical induction.

Base Case: For n = 1, the 1-cube is a single point and is trivially connected.

Inductive Hypothesis: Assume that the (n-1)-cube is connected for some n ≥ 1.

Inductive Step: To construct the n-cube, we can start with two copies of the (n-1)-cube and connect them together by adding edges between corresponding vertices. Since we assumed the (n-1)-cube is connected, all vertices in each copy are connected to each other. By connecting the two copies, we ensure that all vertices in the n-cube are also connected. Therefore, the n-cube is connected.

This completes the proof by induction, showing that the n-cube is connected for all n ≥ 1.
 

FAQ: Prove that the n-cube is connected, for n ≥ 1

What is an n-cube?

An n-cube, also known as a hypercube, is a geometric shape with n dimensions. It is made up of 2^n vertices, 2^n edges, and 2^n faces.

How can a shape with multiple dimensions be connected?

The concept of connectedness in geometry is different from that in everyday life. In this context, connectedness refers to the ability to travel from one point to another without leaving the shape. In a higher-dimensional space, this can be achieved by moving along any of the n dimensions.

Why is it important to prove that the n-cube is connected?

Proving that the n-cube is connected is essential in understanding its properties and applications in various fields such as mathematics, computer science, and physics. It also helps in visualizing and navigating through higher-dimensional spaces.

How can the n-cube be proven to be connected?

The n-cube can be proven to be connected using mathematical induction. By showing that the 1-cube (a line segment) and the 2-cube (a square) are connected, and then using the inductive step to prove that if the n-cube is connected, then the (n+1)-cube is also connected, we can conclude that the n-cube is connected for all values of n.

Are there any real-world examples of the n-cube?

Yes, the n-cube has practical applications in fields such as computer graphics, where it is used to represent and manipulate objects in 3D and higher-dimensional spaces. It is also used in error-correcting codes, quantum computing, and topology.

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