Axioms for the Real Number System
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Math 361
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Fall 2003
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The Real Number System
The real number system consists of four parts:
1. A set (R). We will call the elements of this set real numbers, or
reals.
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2. A relation < on R. This is the order relation.
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3. A function + : R × R → R. This is the addition operation.
4. A function · : R × R → R. This is the multipliation operation.
We will state 12 axioms that describe how the real number system
behaves. The first eleven will say that the real number system forms
an ordered field. The final axiom will require a little discussion.
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Operation Axioms
For all x, y, and z
1. Associative laws:
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∀x∀y∀z [(x + y) + z = x + (y + z) and (x · y) · z = x · (y · z)]
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2. Commutative laws:
∀x∀y [x + y = y + x and x · y = y · x]
3. Distributive law:
∀x∀y∀z [x · (y + z) = x · y + x · z]
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Identity and Inverse Axioms
4. Additive identity:
There is an element (called 0) such that ∀x [0 + x = x]. [Uniqueness can be proved.]
5. Additive inverse:
∀x∃y [x + y = 0]. [We write y = −x; uniqueness can be
proved.]
6. Multiplicative identity:
There is an element (called 1) such that 0 6= 1 and ∀x 1 · x = x.
[Uniqueness can be proved.]
7. Multiplicative inverse:
∀x [x 6= 0 =⇒ ∃y (x · y = 1)]. [We write y = x1 . Uniqueness
can be proved.]
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Order Axioms
8. Translation invariance of order:
∀x∀y [x < y =⇒ x + z < y + z].
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9. Transitivity of order:
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∀x∀y [(x < y and y < z) =⇒ x < z].
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10. Trichotomy:
∀x∀y exactly one of the following is true: x < y, y < x, or
x = y.
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11. Scaling and order:
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∀x∀y∀z [(x < y and z > 0) =⇒ xy < yz]
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Any number system that satisfies Axioms 1–11 is called an ordered
field.
Examples: Q and R are both ordered fields.
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The Completeness Axiom
12. Every non-empty subset that is bounded above has a least upper
bound.
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Basic Results about R
Theorem 0.19: Let x, y, and z be real numbers. Then
(a) If x < y, then −y < −x.
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(b) 0 · x = 0
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(c) (−1) · (−1) = 1
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(d) If 0 < 1.
(e) If 0 < x < y, then 0 <
1
y
< z1 .
(f) If x < y and z < 0, then yz < xz.
(g) If x2 ≥ 0.
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Basic Results about R
Theorem 0.19: Let x, y, and z be real numbers. Then
(a) If x < y, then −y < −x.
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(b) 0 · x = 0
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(c) (−1) · (−1) = 1
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(d) If 0 < 1.
(e) If 0 < x < y, then 0 <
1
y
< z1 .
(f) If x < y and z < 0, then yz < xz.
(g) If x2 ≥ 0.
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Theorem 0.20: If S is a nonempty set of reals that is bounded
from below, then S has a greatest lower bound.
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Betweenness Results
Theorem 0.21: Let x be any real number. Then there is an integer
n such that n ≤ x < n + 1.
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Betweenness Results
Theorem 0.21: Let x be any real number. Then there is an integer
n such that n ≤ x < n + 1.
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Theorem 0.22: [The rationals are dense in the reals.]
Between any two distinct real numbers there is a rational number.
(In fact, there are infinitly many such rational numbers.)
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Betweenness Results
Theorem 0.21: Let x be any real number. Then there is an integer
n such that n ≤ x < n + 1.
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Theorem 0.22: [The rationals are dense in the reals.]
Between any two distinct real numbers there is a rational number.
(In fact, there are infinitly many such rational numbers.)
Theorem 0.23: If p is any positive real number, there is a positive
real number x such that x2 = p.
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Betweenness Results
Theorem 0.21: Let x be any real number. Then there is an integer
n such that n ≤ x < n + 1.
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Theorem 0.22: [The rationals are dense in the reals.]
Between any two distinct real numbers there is a rational number.
(In fact, there are infinitly many such rational numbers.)
Theorem 0.23: If p is any positive real number, there is a positive
real number x such that x2 = p.
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Theorem 0.24: [The irrationals are dense in the reals.]
Between any two distinct real numbers there is an irrational number. (In fact, there are infinitly many such irrational numbers.)
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Absolute Value
Theorem 0.25: Let a and b be any real numbers. Then
(a) |ab| = |a| · |b|
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(b) If ε > 0, then |a| ≤ ε iff −ε ≤ a ≤ ε.
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(c) (Triangle Inequality) |a + b| ≤ |a| + |b|.
(d) ||a| − |b|| ≤ |a − b|.
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