Proof

(related to Proposition: Definition of Real Numbers)

Let \((x_n)_{n\in\mathbb N}\), \((y_n)_{n\in\mathbb N}\) be rational Cauchy sequences. We will prove that the relation defined by

\[(x_n)_{n\in\mathbb N}\sim(y_n)_{n\in\mathbb N}\quad\Longleftrightarrow\quad \lim_{n\to\infty } y_n-x_n =0\in\mathbb Q\]

is an equivalence relation. In other words, the real numbers as equivalence classes \(x:=(x_n)_{n\in\mathbb N}+I:=\{(y_n)_{n\in\mathbb N},~ (y_n)_{n\in\mathbb N}\sim (x_n)_{n\in\mathbb N}\}\) are well-defined.

\(( i )\) Reflexivity

Clearly, \(\lim_{n\to\infty } x_n-x_n =0\).

\(( ii )\) Symmetry \((x_n)_{n\in\mathbb N}\sim (y_n)_{n\in\mathbb N}\Leftrightarrow (y_n)_{n\in\mathbb N}\sim (x_n)_{n\in\mathbb N}\)

Since \(\lim_{n\to\infty } y_n-x_n =0\Leftrightarrow \lim_{n\to\infty } x_n-y_n =0\).

\(( iii )\) Transitivity

By hypothesis, the rational Cauchy sequences \((i_n)_{n\in\mathbb N}:=(y_n - x_n)_{n\in\mathbb N}\) and \((j_n)_{n\in\mathbb N}:=(z_n - y_n)_{n\in\mathbb N}\) are convergent to \(0\). Because \(z_n-x_n=j_n+i_n\) and because \(\lim_{n\to\infty} j_n+i_n=0\), it follows \((x_n)_{n\in\mathbb N}\sim (z_n)_{n\in\mathbb N}\).


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References

Bibliography

  1. Kramer Jürg, von Pippich, Anna-Maria: "Von den natürlichen Zahlen zu den Quaternionen", Springer-Spektrum, 2013