Every infinite set has aa)countable subsetb)uncountable subsetc)counta...
Solution a)
Theorem: Every subset of a countable set is countable. In particular, every infinite subset of a countably infinite set is countably infinite. For example, the set of prime numbers is countable, by mapping the n-th prime number to n: 2 maps to 1.
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Every infinite set has aa)countable subsetb)uncountable subsetc)counta...
Explanation:
A set is said to be countable if its elements can be put into a one-to-one correspondence with the natural numbers (1, 2, 3, ...). An uncountable set, on the other hand, cannot be put into a one-to-one correspondence with the natural numbers.
To understand why the correct answer is option 'A' (every infinite set has a countable subset), let's consider the following points:
1. Countable Sets:
- Countable sets are those sets that can be enumerated using the natural numbers.
- Examples of countable sets include the set of natural numbers, integers, and rational numbers.
- Countable sets can be finite or infinite.
2. Uncountable Sets:
- Uncountable sets are those sets that cannot be enumerated using the natural numbers.
- Examples of uncountable sets include the set of real numbers, irrational numbers, and the power set of natural numbers.
- Uncountable sets are always infinite.
3. Existence of Countable Subsets:
- For any infinite set, it is always possible to find a countable subset within it.
- This is because we can start enumerating the elements of the set using the natural numbers, and we will eventually cover all the elements of the infinite set.
- Even if the set is uncountable, we can still find a countable subset within it.
4. Cantor's Diagonal Argument:
- Cantor's Diagonal Argument is a mathematical proof that shows that the set of real numbers is uncountable.
- This argument demonstrates that it is not possible to put the real numbers into a one-to-one correspondence with the natural numbers.
- However, this does not imply that there are no countable subsets within the set of real numbers.
Conclusion:
- Every infinite set, whether countable or uncountable, has a countable subset.
- Therefore, the correct answer to the question is option 'A' (every infinite set has a countable subset).