Chapter 9: Problem 52
Give an example of an infinite lattice with a) neither a least nor a greatest element. b) a least but not a greatest element. c) a greatest but not a least element. d) both a least and a greatest element.
Short Answer
Expert verified
a) \(\textbf{Z}\), b) \(\textbf{Z}^+\), c) \(\textbf{Z}^-\), d) \[0, 1\].
Step by step solution
01
Understanding lattices
A lattice is a partially ordered set in which any two elements have a unique supremum (least upper bound) and an infimum (greatest lower bound).
02
Example for an infinite lattice with neither a least nor a greatest element
Consider the set of all integers \(\textbf{Z}\) with the usual order. It has no least or greatest element because for any integer, there is always a smaller and a larger integer.
03
Example for an infinite lattice with a least but not a greatest element
Consider the set of all positive integers \(\textbf{Z}^+\) with the usual order. The least element is 1, but there is no largest positive integer.
04
Example for an infinite lattice with a greatest but not a least element
Consider the set of all negative integers \(\textbf{Z}^-\) with the usual order. Here, there is no least element, but \(-1\) is the greatest element.
05
Example for an infinite lattice with both a least and a greatest element
Consider the closed interval \[0, 1\] on the real number line \(\textbf{R}\) with the usual order. The least element is 0 and the greatest element is 1.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Partially Ordered Set
A partially ordered set, or poset, is a set combined with a partial order. A partial order is a binary relation that is reflexive, antisymmetric, and transitive.
For example:
Understanding this aids in comprehending other concepts, such as lattices.
For example:
- Reflexive: Every element is related to itself, so \(a \leq a\).
- Antisymmetric: If \(a \leq b\) and \(b \leq a\), then \(a = b\).
- Transitive: If \(a \leq b\) and \(b \leq c\), then \(a \leq c\).
Understanding this aids in comprehending other concepts, such as lattices.
Least Upper Bound
The least upper bound, or supremum, of a subset is the smallest element in the poset that is greater than or equal to every element in the subset.
For example, in the set of integers \(\mathbb{Z}\):
For example, in the set of integers \(\mathbb{Z}\):
- The least upper bound of the set \{1, 2, 3\} is 3 because it is the smallest integer greater than or equal to 1, 2, and 3.
Greatest Lower Bound
The greatest lower bound, or infimum, of a subset is the largest element in the poset that is less than or equal to every element in the subset.
For example, in the set of integers \(\mathbb{Z}\):
For example, in the set of integers \(\mathbb{Z}\):
- The greatest lower bound of the set \{1, 2, 3\} is 1 because it is the largest integer less than or equal to 1, 2, and 3.
Positive Integers
Positive integers, denoted \(\mathbb{Z}^+\), are all the whole numbers greater than zero: 1, 2, 3, 4, and so on.
In the context of lattices, \(\mathbb{Z}^+\) is an infinite lattice with a least element but no greatest element.
Key properties:
In the context of lattices, \(\mathbb{Z}^+\) is an infinite lattice with a least element but no greatest element.
Key properties:
- Least element: The smallest positive integer is 1.
- No greatest element: No matter how large an integer is, there's always a larger one.
- Example: Consider the set \{1, 2, 3\}, its least element is 1, and it goes on infinitely without a highest number.
Negative Integers
Negative integers, denoted \(\mathbb{Z}^-\), are all the whole numbers less than zero: -1, -2, -3, -4, and so on.
In lattice theory, \(\mathbb{Z}^-\) is an infinite lattice with a greatest element but no least element.
Key properties:
In lattice theory, \(\mathbb{Z}^-\) is an infinite lattice with a greatest element but no least element.
Key properties:
- Greatest element: The largest negative integer is -1.
- No least element: No matter how small a negative integer is, there's always a smaller one.
- Example: Consider the set \{-1, -2, -3\}, its greatest element is -1, and it extends infinitely downward.
Real Number Line
The real number line, \(\mathbb{R}\), includes all rational and irrational numbers. It's a continuous set of numbers that extends infinitely in both positive and negative directions.
In terms of lattices, we often look at specific intervals. For example, the interval \[0, 1\]:
In terms of lattices, we often look at specific intervals. For example, the interval \[0, 1\]:
- Least element: 0.
- Greatest element: 1.
- Example: The set \(\{x \: 0 \leq x \leq 1 \}\) includes all real numbers between 0 and 1, inclusive.