Re: The seven step-Mathematical preliminaries 2

2009-06-07 Thread Bruno Marchal
Marty, Kim,

I realize that, now, the message I have just sent does not have the  
right "symbols". Apparently my computer does not understand the  
Thunderbird!

 From now on I will use capital words for the mathematical symbols.  
And I will write mathematical expression in bold.

For examples:

{1, 2, 3}  INTERSECTION  {2, 4, 3}   =   {2, 3}
{1, 2, 3}  UNION  {2, 4, 3}   =   {1, 2, 3, 4}

{1, 2, 3}  INTERSECTION  {4, 5, 6}   =   EMPTY
{1, 2, 3}  UNION   {4, 5, 6}   =   {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6}

All right? Mathematics will get a FORTRAN look but this is not  
important, OK? It is just the look. I will do a summary of what we  
have seen so far.

With those notions you should be able to invent exercises by yourself.  
Invent simple sets and compute their union, and intersection.

Remenber that the goal consists in building a mathematical shortcut  
toward a thorugh understanding of step seven. In particular the goal  
will be to get an idea of a computation is, and what is the difference  
between a mathemarical computation and a mathematical description of a  
computation. It helps for the step 8 too.

Marty, have a nice holiday,

Kim, ah ah ... we have two weeks to digest what has been said so far  
(which is not enormous), OK?

Bruno


http://iridia.ulb.ac.be/~marchal/




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Re: The seven step-Mathematical preliminaries 2

2009-06-07 Thread Bruno Marchal
Bravo Thunderbird!


On 07 Jun 2009, at 18:39, m.a. wrote:

>
>> Bruno et. al.,
>>Good news! I have discovered that the math  
>> symbols copy faithfully here in my Thunderbird email. Henceforth, I  
>> will open all list letters here. Please refresh my memory for the  
>> following symbols:


>>
>>
>> 1. The   ∅  is called___THE EMPTY SET_and means__THE SET  
>> WITH NO ELEMENTS

The empty set described in extension: { }
The empty set described in intension. Well, let me think. The set of  
french which are bigger than 42 km tall.
A cynical definition would be: the set of honest politicians.
A mathematical one: the set of x such that x is different from x.
It is just the set which has no elements. It is empty.

>>
>> 2. The∪  is calledUNION__and means: A ∪ B__= {x  
>> such-that x belongs to A  or x belongs to B};

>> A u B is the set obtained by doing the union of A and B.



>> 3. The   ∩   is called_INTERSECTIONand means__A ∩ B__=   
>> {x such-that x belongs to A  andr x belongs to B}; A u B is the  
>> set obtained by doing the intersection of A and B. It is the set of  
>> elements which are in both A and B._

Examples:

{1, 2, 3} ∩ {2, 4, 3} = {2, 3}
{1, 2, 3} u {2, 4, 3} = {1, 2, 3, 4}

{1, 2, 3} ∩ {4, 5, 6} =   ∅
{1, 2, 3} u {4, 5, 6} = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6}

OK?


Bruno


>>
>>
>>  - Original Message -
>>   From: Bruno Marchal
>>   To: everything-list@googlegroups.com
>>   Sent: Wednesday, June 03, 2009 1:15 PM
>>   Subject: Re: The seven step-Mathematical preliminaries 2
>>
>>
>>   ∅ ∪ A =
>>   ∅ ∪ B =
>>   A ∪ ∅ =
>>   B ∪ ∅ =
>>   N ∩ ∅ =
>>   B ∩ ∅ =
>>   ∅ ∩ B =
>>   ∅ ∩ ∅ =
>>   ∅ ∪ ∅ =
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
> >

http://iridia.ulb.ac.be/~marchal/




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Re: The seven step-Mathematical preliminaries 2

2009-06-07 Thread m.a.

> *Bruno et. al.,
>Good news! I have discovered that the math 
> symbols copy faithfully here in my Thunderbird email.* *Henceforth, I 
> will open all list letters here. Please refresh my memory for the 
> following symbols:*
> *
> 1. The   ***?**  *is called_and 
> means__
>
> 2. The***?**  *is called___*_*and 
> means__
>
> 3. The   ***?   is called__and 
> means
>
>
> **
> -* Original Message -
>   From: Bruno Marchal
>   To: everything-list@googlegroups.com
>       Sent: Wednesday, June 03, 2009 1:15 PM
>   Subject: Re: The seven step-Mathematical preliminaries 2
>
>
>   ? ? A =
>   ? ? B =
>   A ? ? =
>   B ? ? =
>   N ? ? =
>   B ? ? =
>   ? ? B =
>   ? ? ? =
>   ? ? ? =
> *
>
>   
>

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Re: The seven step-Mathematical preliminaries 2

2009-06-07 Thread m.a.
Bruno,
Yes, this seems very clear and will be helpful to refer back to if 
necessary. m.a.



- Original Message - 
From: "Bruno Marchal" 
To: 
Sent: Sunday, June 07, 2009 4:33 AM
Subject: Re: The seven step-Mathematical preliminaries 2


> 
> Marty,
> 
> On 07 Jun 2009, at 02:03, Brent Meeker wrote:
> 
>>
>> m.a. wrote:
>>> *Okay, so is it true to say that things written in EXTENSION are  
>>> never
>>> in formula style but are translated into formulas when we put them
>>> into  INTENSION   form?  You can see that my difficulty with math
>>> arises from an inability to master even the simplest definitions.
>>> marty a.*
>>
>> It's not that technical.  I could define the set of books on my  
>> shelf by
>> giving a list of titles: "The Comprehensible Cosmos", "Set Theory and
>> It's Philosophy", "Overshoot", "Quintessence".  That would be a
>> definition by extension.  Or I could point to them in succession and
>> say, "That and that and that and that." which would be a definition by
>> ostension. Or I could just say, "The books on my shelf." which is a
>> definition by intension.  An intensional definition is a descriptive
>> phrase with an implicit variable, which in logic you might write as:  
>> The
>> set of things x such that x is a book and x is on my shelf.
> 
> 
> This is a good point. A set is just a collection of objects seen as a  
> whole.
> 
> A definition in extension of a set is just a listing, finite or  
> infinite, of its elements.
> Like in A = {1, 3, 5}, or B = {2, 4, 6, 8, 10, ...}.
> 
> A definition in intension of a set consists in giving the typical  
> defining property of the elements of the set.
> Like in C= "the set of odd numbers which are smaller than 6". Or D =  
> the set of even numbers.
> 
> In this case you see that A is the same set as C? And B is the same  
> set as D.
> 
> Now in mathematics we often use abbreviation. So, for example, instead  
> of saying: the set of even numbers, we will write
> {x such-that x is even}.
> 
> OK?
> 
> Bruno
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Suppose,
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> http://iridia.ulb.ac.be/~marchal/
> 
> 
> 
> 
> >
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Re: The seven step-Mathematical preliminaries 2

2009-06-07 Thread m.a.
Thank you, Brent,
 This is quite clear. Hopefully I can apply it as 
clearly to Bruno's examples.marty a.


- Original Message - 
From: "Brent Meeker" 
To: 
Sent: Saturday, June 06, 2009 8:03 PM
Subject: Re: The seven step-Mathematical preliminaries 2


> 
> m.a. wrote:
>> *Okay, so is it true to say that things written in EXTENSION are never 
>> in formula style but are translated into formulas when we put them 
>> into  INTENSION   form?  You can see that my difficulty with math 
>> arises from an inability to master even the simplest definitions.
>> marty a.*
> 
> It's not that technical.  I could define the set of books on my shelf by 
> giving a list of titles: "The Comprehensible Cosmos", "Set Theory and 
> It's Philosophy", "Overshoot", "Quintessence".  That would be a 
> definition by extension.  Or I could point to them in succession and 
> say, "That and that and that and that." which would be a definition by 
> ostension. Or I could just say, "The books on my shelf." which is a 
> definition by intension.  An intensional definition is a descriptive 
> phrase with an implicit variable, which in logic you might write as: The 
> set of things x such that x is a book and x is on my shelf.
> 
> Brent
> 
> >
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Re: The seven step-Mathematical preliminaries 2

2009-06-07 Thread Bruno Marchal

Marty,

On 07 Jun 2009, at 02:03, Brent Meeker wrote:

>
> m.a. wrote:
>> *Okay, so is it true to say that things written in EXTENSION are  
>> never
>> in formula style but are translated into formulas when we put them
>> into  INTENSION   form?  You can see that my difficulty with math
>> arises from an inability to master even the simplest definitions.
>> marty a.*
>
> It's not that technical.  I could define the set of books on my  
> shelf by
> giving a list of titles: "The Comprehensible Cosmos", "Set Theory and
> It's Philosophy", "Overshoot", "Quintessence".  That would be a
> definition by extension.  Or I could point to them in succession and
> say, "That and that and that and that." which would be a definition by
> ostension. Or I could just say, "The books on my shelf." which is a
> definition by intension.  An intensional definition is a descriptive
> phrase with an implicit variable, which in logic you might write as:  
> The
> set of things x such that x is a book and x is on my shelf.


This is a good point. A set is just a collection of objects seen as a  
whole.

A definition in extension of a set is just a listing, finite or  
infinite, of its elements.
Like in A = {1, 3, 5}, or B = {2, 4, 6, 8, 10, ...}.

A definition in intension of a set consists in giving the typical  
defining property of the elements of the set.
Like in C= "the set of odd numbers which are smaller than 6". Or D =  
the set of even numbers.

In this case you see that A is the same set as C? And B is the same  
set as D.

Now in mathematics we often use abbreviation. So, for example, instead  
of saying: the set of even numbers, we will write
{x such-that x is even}.

OK?

Bruno




Suppose,





http://iridia.ulb.ac.be/~marchal/




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Re: The seven step-Mathematical preliminaries 2

2009-06-06 Thread Brent Meeker

m.a. wrote:
> *Okay, so is it true to say that things written in EXTENSION are never 
> in formula style but are translated into formulas when we put them 
> into  INTENSION   form?  You can see that my difficulty with math 
> arises from an inability to master even the simplest definitions.
> marty a.*

It's not that technical.  I could define the set of books on my shelf by 
giving a list of titles: "The Comprehensible Cosmos", "Set Theory and 
It's Philosophy", "Overshoot", "Quintessence".  That would be a 
definition by extension.  Or I could point to them in succession and 
say, "That and that and that and that." which would be a definition by 
ostension. Or I could just say, "The books on my shelf." which is a 
definition by intension.  An intensional definition is a descriptive 
phrase with an implicit variable, which in logic you might write as: The 
set of things x such that x is a book and x is on my shelf.

Brent

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Re: The seven step-Mathematical preliminaries 2

2009-06-06 Thread m.a.
Okay, so is it true to say that things written in EXTENSION are never in 
formula style but are translated into formulas when we put them into  INTENSION 
  form?  You can see that my difficulty with math arises from an inability to 
master even the simplest definitions.marty a.


  - Original Message - 
  From: Bruno Marchal 





   I've encountered some difficulty with the examples below. You 
say that  "in extension" describes  exhaustion or quasi-exhaustion. And you 
give the example:  "B = {3, 6, 9, 12, ... 99}".
   Then you define "in intension" with exactly the same type of 
set: "Example: Let A be the set {2, 4, 6, 8, 10, ... 100}".




  I give A in extension there, but just to define it in intension after. It is 
always the same set there. But I show its definition in extension, to show the 
definition in intension after. You have to read the to sentences.




   Can you see the cause of my confusion? 




  It is always the same set. I give it in extension, and then in intension.










  http://iridia.ulb.ac.be/~marchal/






  

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Re: The seven step-Mathematical preliminaries 2

2009-06-06 Thread m.a.
  Bruno,
   When I tried to copy the symbols from the URL cited below, I 
found that my email server was not able to reproproduce the intersection or the 
union symbol. See below:

   From: Bruno Marchal
  To: everything-list@googlegroups.com
  

  ∅ ∪ A = I see two rectangles and  "A"
  ∅ ∪ B = I see two rectangles and "B"
  A ∪ ∅ = I see "A" and two rectangles
  B ∪ ∅ = I see "B" and two rectangles
  N ∩ ∅ = I see "N"  Inverted "U"  and a rectangle
  B ∩ ∅ = I see "B"  Inverted "U"  and a rectangle
  ∅ ∩ B = I see a rectangle  an inverted "U"  and "B"
  ∅ ∩ ∅ = I see a rectangle  an inverted "U"  and a rectangle
  ∅ ∪ ∅ = I see three rectangles
 - Original Message - 
  From: Bruno Marchal 


  You could look on the archive, from here, 


  http://www.mail-archive.com/everything-list@googlegroups.com/msg16531.html














  

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Re: The seven step-Mathematical preliminaries 2

2009-06-06 Thread Brent Meeker

m.a. wrote:
> *Bruno,*
> *   I've encountered some difficulty with the examples below. 
> You say that  "in extension" describes  exhaustion or 
> quasi-exhaustion. And you give the example:  "**B = {3, 6, 9, 12, ... 
> 99}".*
> *   Then you define "in intension" with exactly the same type 
> of set: "Example: Let A be the set {2, 4, 6, 8, 10, ... 100}".*

No, that's not the intensional definition.  This "We can easily define A 
in intension:  A = the set of numbers which are even and more little 
than 100." is the intensional definition.

Brent

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Re: The seven step-Mathematical preliminaries 2

2009-06-06 Thread m.a.
On this date, you made the following correction:  "You cannot write D = 4*x 
..., " But you wrote   D= 4*x   in the exercise just above it. I don't get 
the distinction between your use of the equation and mine.
  - Original Message - 
  From: Bruno Marchal 




  Exercise 2: I will say that a natural number is a multiple of 4 if it can 
be written as 4*y, for some y. For example 0 is a multiple of 4, (0 = 4*0), but 
also 28, 400, 404, ...  Could you define in extension the following set D = {x 
⎮ x < 10  &  x is a multiple of 4}.D=4*x  where x = 0 (but also 1,2,3...10)


  You cannot write D = 4*x ..., given that D is a set, and 4*x is a (unknown) 
number (a multiple of four when x is a natural number).

  Read carefully the problem. I gave the set in intension, and the exercise 
consisted in writing the set in extension. Let us translate in english the 
definition of the set D = {x ⎮ x < 10  &  x is a multiple of 4}: it means that 
D is the set of numbers, x, such that x is little than 10, and x is a multiple 
of four. So D = {0, 4, 8}.



  SEE BELOW





  Example: the set of multiple of 4 is {0, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, 32, 36, 
...}, all have the shape 4*x, with x = to 0, 1, 2, 3, ...
  The set of multiple of 5 is {0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 
...}
  Etc.












  A ∩ B = {x ⎮ x ∈ A and x ∈ B}.


  Example {3, 4, 5, 6, 8} ∩ {5, 6, 7, 9} = {5, 6}


  Similarly, we can directly define the union of two sets A and B, written 
A ∪ B in the following way:


  A ∪ B = {x ⎮ x ∈ A or x ∈ B}.Here we use the usual logical "or". p or 
q is suppose to be true if p is true or q is true (or both are true). It is not 
the exclusive "or".


  Example {3, 4, 5, 6, 8} ∪ {5, 6, 7, 9} = {3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8}.   Question: 
In the example above, 5,6 were the intersection because they were the (only) 
two numbers BOTH groups had in common. But in this example, 7 is only in the 
second group yet it is included in the answer. Please explain.




  In the example "above" (that is {3, 4, 5, 6, 8} ∩ {5, 6, 7, 9} = {5, 6}) we 
were taking the INTERSECTION of the two sets.
  But after that, may be too quickly (and I should have made a title perhaps) I 
was introducing the UNION of the two sets.


  If you read carefully the definition in intension, you should see that the 
intersection of A and B is defined with an "and". The definition of union is 
defined with a "or". Do you see that? It is just above in the quote.




  I hope that your computer can distinguish A ∩ B  (A intersection B) and A ∪ B 
 (A union B).
  In the union of two sets, you put all the elements of the two sets together. 
In the intersection of two sets, you take only those elements which belongs to 
the two sets.


  It seems you have not seen the difference between "intersection" and "union". 
 

  This has indeed been the case. My usual math disabilities have been 
exacerbated by the confusion of symbols due to E-mail limitations. The 
profusion of little rectangles replacing the UNION symbol make the formulae 
difficult to follow. 























  

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Re: The seven step-Mathematical preliminaries 2

2009-06-06 Thread Bruno Marchal


>I've encountered some difficulty with the examples below.  
> You say that  "in extension" describes  exhaustion or quasi- 
> exhaustion. And you give the example:  "B = {3, 6, 9, 12, ... 99}".
>Then you define "in intension" with exactly the same type  
> of set: "Example: Let A be the set {2, 4, 6, 8, 10, ... 100}".


I give A in extension there, but just to define it in intension after.  
It is always the same set there. But I show its definition in  
extension, to show the definition in intension after. You have to read  
the to sentences.


>Can you see the cause of my confusion?


It is always the same set. I give it in extension, and then in  
intension.



> Incidentally, may I suggest you use "smaller than" rather than   
> "more little than". Your English is generally too good to include  
> that kind of error.   marty a.

Well sure. Sometimes the correct expression just slip out from my  
mind. "smaller than " is much better! Thanks for helping,

Bruno




>
>
>
>
> - Original Message -----
> From: Bruno Marchal
> To: everything-list@googlegroups.com
> Sent: Wednesday, June 03, 2009 1:15 PM
> Subject: Re: The seven step-Mathematical preliminaries 2
>
>
> === Intension and extension 
>
>
>
> In the case of finite and "little" set we have seen that we can  
> define them by exhaustion. This means we can give an explicit  
> complete description of all element of the set.
> Example. A = {0, 1, 2, 77, 98, 5}
>
> When the set is still finite and too big, or if we are lazy, we can  
> sometimes define the set by quasi exhaustion. This means we describe  
> enough elements of the set in a manner which, by requiring some good  
> will and some imagination, we can estimate having define the set.
>
> Example. B = {3, 6, 9, 12, ... 99}. We can understand in this case  
> that we meant the set of multiple of the number three, below 100.
>
> A fortiori, when a set in not finite, that is, when the set is  
> infinite, we have to use either quasi-exhaustion, or we have to use  
> some sentence or phrase or proposition describing the elements of  
> the set.
>
> Definition.
> I will say that a set is defined IN EXTENSIO, or simply, in  
> extension, when it is defined in exhaustion or quasi-exhaustion.
> I will say that a set is defined IN INTENSIO, or simply in  
> intension, with a "s", when it is defined by a sentence explaining  
> the typical attribute of the elements.
>
> Example: Let A be the set {2, 4, 6, 8, 10, ... 100}. We can easily  
> define A in intension:  A = the set of numbers which are even and  
> more little than 100. mathematician will condense this by the  
> following:
>
> A = {x such that x is even and little than 100}  = {x ⎮ x is even &  
> x < 100}. "⎮" is a special character, abbreviating "such that", and  
> I hope it goes through the mail. If not I will use "such that", or  
> s.t., or things like that.
> The expression {x ⎮ x is even} is literally read as:  the set of  
> object x, (or number x if we are in a context where we talk about  
> number) such that x is even.
>
> Exercise 1: Could you define in intension the following infinite set  
> C = {101, 103, 105, ...}
> C = ?
>
> Exercise 2: I will say that a natural number is a multiple of 4 if  
> it can be written as 4*y, for some y. For example 0 is a multiple of  
> 4, (0 = 4*0), but also 28, 400, 404, ...  Could you define in  
> extension the following set D = {x ⎮ x < 10  &  x is a multiple of  
> 4}.
>
> A last notational, but important symbol. Sets have elements. For  
> example the set A = {1, 2, 3} has three elements 1, 2 and 3. For  
> saying that 3 is an element of A in an a short way, we usually write  
> 3 ∈ A.  this is read as "3 belongs to A", or "3 is in A". Now 4  
> does not belong to A. To write this in a short way, we will write 4  
> ∉ A, or we will write ¬ (4 ∈ A) or sometimes just NOT(4 ∈ A).  
> It is read: 4 does not belong to A, or: it is not the case that 4  
> belongs to A.
>
> Having those notions and notations at our disposition we can speed  
> up on the notion of union and intersection.
>
> The intersection of the sets A and B is the (new) set of those  
> elements which belongs to both A and B. Put in another way:
> The intersection of the sets A with the set B is the set of those  
> elements which belongs to A and which belongs to B.
> This new set, obtained from A and B is written A ∩ B, or A inter. B  
> (in case the special character doesn't go through).
> With our notations w

Re: The seven step-Mathematical preliminaries 2

2009-06-06 Thread Bruno Marchal

On 06 Jun 2009, at 23:54, m.a. wrote:

> (I'll be here till Tuesday.) Evidently, the symbol you are using for  
> "such that" is being shown on my screen as a small rectangle. In the  
> copy below, I see two rectangles before the A=, two before the B=,  
> two after the A, two after the B. The  UNION symbol (inverted  "U")  
> shows up but is followed by a rectangle in the next two examples and  
> preceded by a rectangle in the last three. In checking a table of  
> logic notaion, I find that the relation "such that" is designated by  
> a reversed capital  "E".   Is this the symbol you are using? m.a.


Yes, we have a problem. There should be no rectangles at all. We have  
to switch on english abbreviations. This explains the difficulty you  
did have with the union ...

You could look on the archive, from here,

http://www.mail-archive.com/everything-list@googlegroups.com/msg16531.html

the symbols are correct on my computer, but we will think on easier  
mail symbols. Tell me if you see different symbols in the archive.

Best,

Bruno





> - Original Message -
> From: Bruno Marchal
> To: everything-list@googlegroups.com
> Sent: Saturday, June 06, 2009 4:36 PM
> Subject: Re: The seven step-Mathematical preliminaries 2
>
>
>
> We do have problem of symbols, with the mail. I don't see any  
> rectangle in the message below!
>
> Take it easy and . We will go very slowly. It will also be the exam  
> periods. There is no rush ...
>
> Have a good holiday
>
> Bruno
>
>>
>> - Original Message -----
>> From: Bruno Marchal
>> To: everything-list@googlegroups.com
>> Sent: Wednesday, June 03, 2009 1:15 PM
>> Subject: Re: The seven step-Mathematical preliminaries 2
>>
>> ∅ ∪ A =
>> ∅ ∪ B =
>> A ∪ ∅ =
>> B ∪ ∅ =
>> N ∩ ∅ =
>> B ∩ ∅ =
>> ∅ ∩ B =
>> ∅ ∩ ∅ =
>> ∅ ∪ ∅ =
>>
>>
>> ---
>> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to 
>> everything-list+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com
>> For more options, visit this group at 
>> http://groups.google.com/group/everything-list?hl=en
>> -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
> http://iridia.ulb.ac.be/~marchal/
>
>
>
>
>
> >

http://iridia.ulb.ac.be/~marchal/




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Re: The seven step-Mathematical preliminaries 2

2009-06-06 Thread m.a.
Bruno,
   I've encountered some difficulty with the examples below. You say 
that  "in extension" describes  exhaustion or quasi-exhaustion. And you give 
the example:  "B = {3, 6, 9, 12, ... 99}".
   Then you define "in intension" with exactly the same type of set: 
"Example: Let A be the set {2, 4, 6, 8, 10, ... 100}".
   Can you see the cause of my confusion? Incidentally, may I suggest 
you use "smaller than" rather than  "more little than". Your English is 
generally too good to include that kind of error.   marty a.




  - Original Message - 
  From: Bruno Marchal 
  To: everything-list@googlegroups.com 
  Sent: Wednesday, June 03, 2009 1:15 PM
  Subject: Re: The seven step-Mathematical preliminaries 2



  === Intension and extension 





  In the case of finite and "little" set we have seen that we can define them 
by exhaustion. This means we can give an explicit complete description of all 
element of the set. 
  Example. A = {0, 1, 2, 77, 98, 5}


  When the set is still finite and too big, or if we are lazy, we can sometimes 
define the set by quasi exhaustion. This means we describe enough elements of 
the set in a manner which, by requiring some good will and some imagination, we 
can estimate having define the set.


  Example. B = {3, 6, 9, 12, ... 99}. We can understand in this case that we 
meant the set of multiple of the number three, below 100.


  A fortiori, when a set in not finite, that is, when the set is infinite, we 
have to use either quasi-exhaustion, or we have to use some sentence or phrase 
or proposition describing the elements of the set.


  Definition.
  I will say that a set is defined IN EXTENSIO, or simply, in extension, when 
it is defined in exhaustion or quasi-exhaustion.
  I will say that a set is defined IN INTENSIO, or simply in intension, with a 
"s", when it is defined by a sentence explaining the typical attribute of the 
elements.


  Example: Let A be the set {2, 4, 6, 8, 10, ... 100}. We can easily define A 
in intension:  A = the set of numbers which are even and more little than 100. 
mathematician will condense this by the following:


  A = {x such that x is even and little than 100}  = {x ⎮ x is even & x < 100}. 
"⎮" is a special character, abbreviating "such that", and I hope it goes 
through the mail. If not I will use "such that", or s.t., or things like that.
  The expression {x ⎮ x is even} is literally read as:  the set of object x, 
(or number x if we are in a context where we talk about number) such that x is 
even.


  Exercise 1: Could you define in intension the following infinite set C = 
{101, 103, 105, ...}
  C = ?


  Exercise 2: I will say that a natural number is a multiple of 4 if it can be 
written as 4*y, for some y. For example 0 is a multiple of 4, (0 = 4*0), but 
also 28, 400, 404, ...  Could you define in extension the following set D = {x 
⎮ x < 10  &  x is a multiple of 4}. 


  A last notational, but important symbol. Sets have elements. For example the 
set A = {1, 2, 3} has three elements 1, 2 and 3. For saying that 3 is an 
element of A in an a short way, we usually write 3 ∈ A.  this is read as "3 
belongs to A", or "3 is in A". Now 4 does not belong to A. To write this in a 
short way, we will write 4 ∉ A, or we will write ¬ (4 ∈ A) or sometimes just 
NOT(4 ∈ A). It is read: 4 does not belong to A, or: it is not the case that 4 
belongs to A.


  Having those notions and notations at our disposition we can speed up on the 
notion of union and intersection.


  The intersection of the sets A and B is the (new) set of those elements which 
belongs to both A and B. Put in another way: 
  The intersection of the sets A with the set B is the set of those elements 
which belongs to A and which belongs to B. 
  This new set, obtained from A and B is written A ∩ B, or A inter. B (in case 
the special character doesn't go through).
  With our notations we can write or define the intersection A ∩ B directly


  A ∩ B = {x ⎮ x ∈ A and x ∈ B}.


  Example {3, 4, 5, 6, 8} ∩ {5, 6, 7, 9} = {5, 6}


  Similarly, we can directly define the union of two sets A and B, written A ∪ 
B in the following way:


  A ∪ B = {x ⎮ x ∈ A or x ∈ B}.Here we use the usual logical "or". p or q 
is suppose to be true if p is true or q is true (or both are true). It is not 
the exclusive "or".


  Example {3, 4, 5, 6, 8} ∪ {5, 6, 7, 9} = {3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8}.


  Exercice 3. 
  Let N = {0, 1, 2, 3, ...}
  Let A = {x ⎮ x < 10}
  Let B = {x ⎮ x is even}
  Describe in extension (that is: exhaustion or quasi-exhaustion) the following 
sets:


  N ∪ A =
  N ∪ B =
  A ∪ B =
  B ∪ A =
  N ∩ A =
  B ∩ A =
  N ∩ B =
  A ∩ B =


  Exercice 4


  Is it true that A ∩ B = B ∩ A, whatever A and B are? 
  Is it true that A ∪

Re: The seven step-Mathematical preliminaries 2

2009-06-06 Thread m.a.
(I'll be here till Tuesday.) Evidently, the symbol you are using for "such 
that" is being shown on my screen as a small rectangle. In the copy below, I 
see two rectangles before the A=, two before the B=, two after the A, two after 
the B. The  UNION symbol (inverted  "U") shows up but is followed by a 
rectangle in the next two examples and preceded by a rectangle in the last 
three. In checking a table of logic notaion, I find that the relation "such 
that" is designated by a reversed capital  "E".   Is this the symbol you are 
using? m.a.
  - Original Message - 
  From: Bruno Marchal 
  To: everything-list@googlegroups.com 
  Sent: Saturday, June 06, 2009 4:36 PM
  Subject: Re: The seven step-Mathematical preliminaries 2





  We do have problem of symbols, with the mail. I don't see any rectangle in 
the message below!


  Take it easy and . We will go very slowly. It will also be the exam periods. 
There is no rush ...


  Have a good holiday


  Bruno



  - Original Message -
  From: Bruno Marchal
  To: everything-list@googlegroups.com
  Sent: Wednesday, June 03, 2009 1:15 PM
  Subject: Re: The seven step-Mathematical preliminaries 2


  ∅ ∪ A =
  ∅ ∪ B =
  A ∪ ∅ =
  B ∪ ∅ =
  N ∩ ∅ =
  B ∩ ∅ =
  ∅ ∩ B =
  ∅ ∩ ∅ =
  ∅ ∪ ∅ =




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everything-list+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com 
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  http://iridia.ulb.ac.be/~marchal/






  

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RE: The seven step-Mathematical preliminaries 2

2009-06-06 Thread Jesse Mazer

If it helps, here's a screenshot of how the symbols are supposed to look:
http://img34.imageshack.us/img34/3345/picture2uzk.png

From: marc...@ulb.ac.be
To: everything-list@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: The seven step-Mathematical preliminaries 2
Date: Sat, 6 Jun 2009 22:36:01 +0200

Marty,
Bruno,   Before I leave on holiday, I am following your advice to make 
my own table of symbols. Let me ask first whether the smaller rectangles have a 
different reference from the larger ones as seen in your example below?

We do have problem of symbols, with the mail. I don't see any rectangle in the 
message below!
Take it easy and . We will go very slowly. It will also be the exam periods. 
There is no rush ...
Have a good holiday
Bruno
 - Original Message -From: Bruno MarchalTo: 
everything-l...@googlegroups.comsent: Wednesday, June 03, 2009 1:15 PMSubject: 
Re: The seven step-Mathematical preliminaries 2
∅ ∪ A =∅ ∪ B =A ∪ ∅ =B ∪ ∅ =N ∩ ∅ =B ∩ ∅ =∅ ∩ B =∅ ∩ ∅ =∅ ∪ ∅ =

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 http://iridia.ulb.ac.be/~marchal/ 





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Re: The seven step-Mathematical preliminaries 2

2009-06-06 Thread Bruno Marchal
Marty,

> Bruno,
>Before I leave on holiday, I am following your advice to  
> make my own table of symbols. Let me ask first whether the smaller  
> rectangles have a different reference from the larger ones as seen  
> in your example below?


We do have problem of symbols, with the mail. I don't see any  
rectangle in the message below!

Take it easy and . We will go very slowly. It will also be the exam  
periods. There is no rush ...

Have a good holiday

Bruno

>
> - Original Message -
> From: Bruno Marchal
> To: everything-list@googlegroups.com
> Sent: Wednesday, June 03, 2009 1:15 PM
> Subject: Re: The seven step-Mathematical preliminaries 2
>
> ∅ ∪ A =
> ∅ ∪ B =
> A ∪ ∅ =
> B ∪ ∅ =
> N ∩ ∅ =
> B ∩ ∅ =
> ∅ ∩ B =
> ∅ ∩ ∅ =
> ∅ ∪ ∅ =
>
>
> ---
> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to 
> everything-list+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com
> For more options, visit this group at 
> http://groups.google.com/group/everything-list?hl=en
> -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
>
>
> >

http://iridia.ulb.ac.be/~marchal/




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Re: The seven step-Mathematical preliminaries 2

2009-06-06 Thread m.a.
Bruno,
   Before I leave on holiday, I am following your advice to make my own 
table of symbols. Let me ask first whether the smaller rectangles have a 
different reference from the larger ones as seen in your example below?

  - Original Message - 
  From: Bruno Marchal 
  To: everything-list@googlegroups.com 
  Sent: Wednesday, June 03, 2009 1:15 PM
  Subject: Re: The seven step-Mathematical preliminaries 2


  ∅ ∪ A =
  ∅ ∪ B =
  A ∪ ∅ =
  B ∪ ∅ =
  N ∩ ∅ =
  B ∩ ∅ =
  ∅ ∩ B =
  ∅ ∩ ∅ =
  ∅ ∪ ∅ =




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everything-list+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com 
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Re: The seven step-Mathematical preliminaries 2

2009-06-05 Thread m.a.
Bruno,
   Thanks for the encouragement. I intend to follow your instructions 
and it's a relief to know that some of my answers were correct. However, I will 
be away for two weeks and unable to work on the lessons. I'll try to make up 
for it when I return. Best,   


marty a.


  - Original Message - 
  From: Bruno Marchal 
  To: everything-list@googlegroups.com 
  Sent: Friday, June 05, 2009 10:03 AM
  Subject: Re: The seven step-Mathematical preliminaries 2


  Hi Marty,


  On 05 Jun 2009, at 00:30, m.a. wrote:






Bruno,
   I don't have dyslexia 






  Good news.










but my keyboard doesn't contain either the UNION symbol or the INTERSECTION 
symbol 




  Nor do mine!








(unless I want to go into an INSERT pull down menu every time I use those 
symbols). 




  Like I have to do too.








I don't need you to switch to English symbols, but I would like to see the 
English equivalents of the symbols you use (so that I can use them). 




  I gave them.








I would also like a reference table defining each term in both your symbols 
and their English equivalents which I could look back to when I get confused. 




  I suggest you do this by yourself. It is a good exercise and it will help you 
not only in the understanding, but in the memorizing. Then you submit it to the 
list, and I can verify the understanding. 










Please include examples.


  Up to now, I did it for any notions introduced. Just ask me one or two or 
(name your number) examples more in case you have a doubt. If I send too much 
posts, and if there are too long, people will dismiss them. try to ask explicit 
question, like you did, actually.






I tend to be somewhat careless when dealing  with very fine distinctions 




  This means that a lot of work is awaiting for you. It is normal. Everyone can 
understand what I explain, but some have more work to do.








and may type the wrong symbol while intending to type the correct one. 




  That is unimportant. I am used to do typo errors too. One of my favorite book 
on self-reference (the one by Smorynski) contains an average of two or three 
typo error per page. Of course, once a typo error is found, it is better to 
correct it. 










Also, I must admit that the lessons are going too fast for me and are 
moving ahead before I've mastered the previous material.




  We have all the time, and up to now I did not proceed without having the 
answer of all exercises. You make no faults in the first set of seven exercise, 
and that is why I have quickly proceed to the second round. For that one, you 
make just one error, + the dismiss of a paragraph on "UNION".  To slow me down 
it is enough to tell me things like "I don't understand what you mean by this 
or that" and you quote the unclear passage. If you can't do an exercise, just 
wait for some other (Kim?) to propose a solution. Or try to guess one and 
submit, or just ask. I will not proceed to new matters before I am sure you 
grasp all what has been already presented.
  What is possible is that you understand, but fail ti memorize. This will lead 
to problems later. So you have to make your own summary and be sure you can 
easily revise the definition.








If I'm requesting too much simplification, please let me know because I'm 
quite well adjusted to my math disabilities and won't take offence at all. 
Thanks,  marty a.






  I think that there is no problem at all. I am just waiting for explicit 
question from the second round. You can ask any question, and slow me down as 
much as you want so that we proceed at your own rhythm. 
  Don't ask me to slow down in any abstract way. You are the one who have to 
slow me down by pointing on what you don't understand in a post.
  take it easy, and take all your time. Don't try to understand the more 
advanced replies I give to people who have a bigger baggage.


  You did show me that you have understood the notion of set, and the notion of 
intersection of sets. Have you a problem with the notion of union of sets? If 
that is the case, just quote the passage of my post that you don't understand, 
or the example that I gave, and I will explain. Try to keep those post in some 
well ranged place so as to re-access them easily.


  I ask this to Kim too, and any one interested: just let me know what you 
don't understand, so that I can explain, give other examples, etc. 


  Take it easy, you seem quite good, you suffer just of a problem of 
familiarity with notations. You read the post too quickly, I suspect also.


  Are you OK? I can understand you could be afraid of the amount of work

Re: The seven step-Mathematical preliminaries 2

2009-06-05 Thread Bruno Marchal
Hi Marty,

On 05 Jun 2009, at 00:30, m.a. wrote:



> Bruno,
>I don't have dyslexia



Good news.





> but my keyboard doesn't contain either the UNION symbol or the  
> INTERSECTION symbol


Nor do mine!




> (unless I want to go into an INSERT pull down menu every time I use  
> those symbols).


Like I have to do too.




> I don't need you to switch to English symbols, but I would like to  
> see the English equivalents of the symbols you use (so that I can  
> use them).


I gave them.




> I would also like a reference table defining each term in both your  
> symbols and their English equivalents which I could look back to  
> when I get confused.


I suggest you do this by yourself. It is a good exercise and it will  
help you not only in the understanding, but in the memorizing. Then  
you submit it to the list, and I can verify the understanding.





> Please include examples.

Up to now, I did it for any notions introduced. Just ask me one or two  
or (name your number) examples more in case you have a doubt. If I  
send too much posts, and if there are too long, people will dismiss  
them. try to ask explicit question, like you did, actually.



> I tend to be somewhat careless when dealing  with very fine  
> distinctions


This means that a lot of work is awaiting for you. It is normal.  
Everyone can understand what I explain, but some have more work to do.




> and may type the wrong symbol while intending to type the correct one.


That is unimportant. I am used to do typo errors too. One of my  
favorite book on self-reference (the one by Smorynski) contains an  
average of two or three typo error per page. Of course, once a typo  
error is found, it is better to correct it.





> Also, I must admit that the lessons are going too fast for me and  
> are moving ahead before I've mastered the previous material.


We have all the time, and up to now I did not proceed without having  
the answer of all exercises. You make no faults in the first set of  
seven exercise, and that is why I have quickly proceed to the second  
round. For that one, you make just one error, + the dismiss of a  
paragraph on "UNION".  To slow me down it is enough to tell me things  
like "I don't understand what you mean by this or that" and you quote  
the unclear passage. If you can't do an exercise, just wait for some  
other (Kim?) to propose a solution. Or try to guess one and submit, or  
just ask. I will not proceed to new matters before I am sure you grasp  
all what has been already presented.
What is possible is that you understand, but fail ti memorize. This  
will lead to problems later. So you have to make your own summary and  
be sure you can easily revise the definition.




> If I'm requesting too much simplification, please let me know  
> because I'm quite well adjusted to my math disabilities and won't  
> take offence at all. Thanks,  marty a.



I think that there is no problem at all. I am just waiting for  
explicit question from the second round. You can ask any question, and  
slow me down as much as you want so that we proceed at your own rhythm.
Don't ask me to slow down in any abstract way. You are the one who  
have to slow me down by pointing on what you don't understand in a post.
take it easy, and take all your time. Don't try to understand the more  
advanced replies I give to people who have a bigger baggage.

You did show me that you have understood the notion of set, and the  
notion of intersection of sets. Have you a problem with the notion of  
union of sets? If that is the case, just quote the passage of my post  
that you don't understand, or the example that I gave, and I will  
explain. Try to keep those post in some well ranged place so as to re- 
access them easily.

I ask this to Kim too, and any one interested: just let me know what  
you don't understand, so that I can explain, give other examples, etc.

Take it easy, you seem quite good, you suffer just of a problem of  
familiarity with notations. You read the post too quickly, I suspect  
also.

Are you OK? I can understand you could be afraid of the amount of  
work, but given that we have all the time, there is no exams, nor  
deadline, I am not sure there is any problem. Of course, things of  
life (like holidays, taxes, etc.) can slow us down too, but this is  
not a real problem. Of course you can realize you don't want really to  
learn all this: in that case you tell me, and we can stop, or make a  
pause, etc.

I choose the path (given that the goal is given: explaining the real  
stuff in the UDA-step seven), and you can accelerate me, slow me down,  
halt, etc. as you wish. OK?


Just tell me if you have a problem with the two statements quoted  
below. I think we could make post with fewer examples, and fewer  
exercises, perhaps. Don't be ashamed by any question you want to ask.  
There is no shame in questioning anything.

>
> Examples
> {1, 2, 3} ∩  {3, 4, 5} = {3}
> {1, 2, 3} ∪

Re: The seven step-Mathematical preliminaries 2

2009-06-04 Thread m.a.
Bruno,
   I don't have dyslexia but my keyboard doesn't contain either the 
UNION symbol or the INTERSECTION symbol (unless I want to go into an INSERT 
pull down menu every time I use those symbols). I don't need you to switch to 
English symbols, but I would like to see the English equivalents of the symbols 
you use (so that I can use them). I would also like a reference table defining 
each term in both your symbols and their English equivalents which I could look 
back to when I get confused. Please include examples. I tend to be somewhat 
careless when dealing with very fine distinctions and may type the wrong symbol 
while intending to type the correct one. Also, I must admit that the lessons 
are going too fast for me and are moving ahead before I've mastered the 
previous material. If I'm requesting too much simplification, please let me 
know because I'm quite well adjusted to my math disabilities and won't take 
offence at all. Thanks,  marty a.


  - Original Message - 
  From: Bruno Marchal 
  To: everything-list@googlegroups.com 
  Sent: Thursday, June 04, 2009 12:04 PM
  Subject: Re: The seven step-Mathematical preliminaries 2


  Hi Marty,




  On 04 Jun 2009, at 01:11, m.a. wrote:


Bruno,
   I stopped half-way through because I'm not at all sure of my 
answers and would like to have them confirmed or corrected, if necessary, 
rather than go on giving wrong answers.   marty a.




  No problem.






  Exercise 1: Could you define in intension the following infinite set C = 
{101, 103, 105, ...}
  C = ?  C={x such that x is odd & x <101}




  I guess you meant C = {x such that x is odd and x > 101}.  ">" means "bigger 
than", and "<" means little than. OK.










  Exercise 2: I will say that a natural number is a multiple of 4 if it can 
be written as 4*y, for some y. For example 0 is a multiple of 4, (0 = 4*0), but 
also 28, 400, 404, ...  Could you define in extension the following set D = {x 
⎮ x < 10  &  x is a multiple of 4}.D=4*x  where x = 0 (but also 1,2,3...10)


  You cannot write D = 4*x ..., given that D is a set, and 4*x is a (unknown) 
number (a multiple of four when x is a natural number).

  Read carefully the problem. I gave the set in intension, and the exercise 
consisted in writing the set in extension. Let us translate in english the 
definition of the set D = {x ⎮ x < 10  &  x is a multiple of 4}: it means that 
D is the set of numbers, x, such that x is little than 10, and x is a multiple 
of four. So D = {0, 4, 8}.


  Indeed 0 is little than 10, and 0 is a multiple of four (because 0 = 4*0), and
  4  is little than 10, and 4 is a multiple of four (because 4 = 4*1)
  8 is little than 10, and 8 is a multiple of 4 (because 8 = 4*2)
  The next mutiple of 4 is 12. It cannot be in the set because 12 is bigger 
than 10.
  The numbers 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 9 cannot be in D, because they are not multiple of 
4. You cannot write 1 = 4 * (some natural numbers), nor can you write 3 or 5, 
or 7 or 9 =  4 * x with x a natural number.


  Example: the set of multiple of 4 is {0, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, 32, 36, 
...}, all have the shape 4*x, with x = to 0, 1, 2, 3, ...
  The set of multiple of 5 is {0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 
...}
  Etc.












  A ∩ B = {x ⎮ x ∈ A and x ∈ B}.


  Example {3, 4, 5, 6, 8} ∩ {5, 6, 7, 9} = {5, 6}


  Similarly, we can directly define the union of two sets A and B, written 
A ∪ B in the following way:


  A ∪ B = {x ⎮ x ∈ A or x ∈ B}.Here we use the usual logical "or". p or 
q is suppose to be true if p is true or q is true (or both are true). It is not 
the exclusive "or".


  Example {3, 4, 5, 6, 8} ∪ {5, 6, 7, 9} = {3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8}.   Question: 
In the example above, 5,6 were the intersection because they were the (only) 
two numbers BOTH groups had in common. But in this example, 7 is only in the 
second group yet it is included in the answer. Please explain.




  In the example "above" (that is {3, 4, 5, 6, 8} ∩ {5, 6, 7, 9} = {5, 6}) we 
were taking the INTERSECTION of the two sets.
  But after that, may be too quickly (and I should have made a title perhaps) I 
was introducing the UNION of the two sets.


  If you read carefully the definition in intension, you should see that the 
intersection of A and B is defined with an "and". The definition of union is 
defined with a "or". Do you see that? It is just above in the quote.




  I hope that your computer can distinguish A ∩ B  (A intersection B) and A ∪ B 
 (A union B).
  In the union of two sets, you put all the elements of the two sets together. 
In the intersection of two sets, you take only those elements which belongs to 
the two sets.


  It seems you have not seen the difference between "intersection&quo

Re: The seven step-Mathematical preliminaries 2

2009-06-04 Thread Bruno Marchal
Hi Kim,


On 04 Jun 2009, at 14:28, kimjo...@ozemail.com.au wrote:



> OK - I find this quite mind-blowing; probably because I now  
> understand it for the first
> time in my life. So how did it get this rather ridiculous name of  
> "square root"? What's it
> called in French?

Racine carrée. Literally "square root".

It comes from the fact that in elementary geometry the surface or area  
of a square which sides have length x, is given by x*x, also written  
x^2, which is then called the  "square of x". Taking the square root  
of a number, consists in doing the inverse of taking the square of a  
number. It consists in finding the length of a square knowing its area.

Mathematician and especially logician *can* use arbitrary vocabulary.  
It is the essence of the axiomatic method in "pure mathematics" that  
what is conveying does not depend on the term which are used. Hilbert  
said once that he could have use the term "glass of bear" instead of  
"line" in his work in geometry.


>
>> A = {x such that x is even and smaller than 100}  = {x ⎮ x is even  
>> & x
> special character, abbreviating "such that", and I hope it goes  
> through the mail.
>
>
> Just an upright line? It comes through as that. I can't seem to get  
> this symbol happening so I will
> use "such that"

Yes, "such that" is abbreviated by an upright line. Sometimes also by  
a half circle followed by a little line, but I don't find it on my  
palette!





>
>
>
>
>
> If not I will use "such that", or s.t., or things like that.The  
> expression {x ⎮ x is even} is
> literally read as:  the set of objects x, (or number x if we are in  
> a context where we talk
> about numbers) such that x is even.
>
>> Exercise 1: Could you define in intension the following infinite  
>> set C = {101, 103, 105,
> ...}C = ?
>
>
> C = {x such that x is odd and x > 101}


Correct.


>
>
>
>> Exercise 2: I will say that a natural number is a multiple of 4 if  
>> it can be written as 4*y,
> for some y. For example 0 is a multiple of 4, (0 = 4*0), but also  
> 28, 400, 404, ...  Could
> you define in extension the following set D = {x ⎮ x < 10 and x is  
> a multiple of 4}?
>
> D = 4*x where x = 0 but also { 1, 2, 3, 4, 8 }


Hmm...
Marty made a similar error. D is a set. May be you wanted to say:

D = {4*x where x = 0 but also { 1, 2, 3, 4, 8 }}. But this does not  
make much sense. Even if I try to imagine favorably some meaning, I  
would say that it would mean that D is the set of numbers having the  
shape 4*x (that is capable of being written as equal to 4*x for some  
x), and such that x belongs to {0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 8}.
A proper way to describe that set would be

D = {y such that y = 4x and x belongs-to {0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 8}}.

But that would makes D = {0, 4, 8, 12, 32}.

The set D = {x ⎮ x < 10 and x is a multiple of 4} is just, in  
english, the set of natural numbers which are little than 10 and which  
are a multiple of 4. The only numbers which are little than 10, and  
multiple of 4 are the numbers 0, 4, and 8.  D = {0, 4, 8}.





>
>
>
> I now realise I am doomed for the next set of exercises because I  
> cannot get to the special
> symbols required (yet). As I am adding Internet Phone to my system,  
> I am currently using an
> ancient Mac without the correct symbol pallette while somebody  
> spends a few days to flip a single
> switch...as soon as I can get back to my regular machine I will  
> complete the rest.


Take it easy. No problem.



>
>
> In the meantime I am enjoying the N+1 disagreement - how refreshing  
> it is to see that classical
> mathematics remains somewhat controversial!



The term is a bit too strong. It is a bit like if I told you that "I  
am Napoleon", and you conclude that the question of the death of  
Napoleon is still controversial. I exaggerate a little bit to make my  
point, but I know only two ultrafinitists *in math*, and I have never  
understood what they mean by "number", nor did I ever met someone  
understanding them.

What makes just a little bit more sense (and I guess that's what  
Torgny really is) is being ultrafinitist *in physics*, and being  
physicalist. You postulate there is a physical universe, made of a  
finite number of particles, occupying a finite volume in space-time,  
etc. Everything is finite, including the "everything".
Then  by using the "unintelligible identity thesis" (and thus  
reintroducing the mind-body problem), you can prevent the comp white  
rabbits inflation. Like all form of materialism, this leads to  
eliminating the person soon or later (by the unsolvability of the mind- 
body problem by finite means). Ultrafinitist physicalism eliminates  
also mathematics and all immaterial notions, including all universal  
machines. Brrr...

The real question is "do *you* think that there is a biggest natural  
number"? Just tell me at once, because if you really believe that  
there is a biggest natural number, I have no more clues at all how you  
could believe in any of c

Re: The seven step-Mathematical preliminaries 2

2009-06-04 Thread Jason Resch

On Thu, Jun 4, 2009 at 7:28 AM, kimjo...@ozemail.com.au
 wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> On Thu Jun  4  1:15 , Bruno Marchal  sent:
>
>>Very good answer, Kim,
>>Just a few comments. and then the sequel.
>>Exercice 4: does the real number square-root(2) belongs to {0, 1, 2,
>>3, ...}?
>>
>>
>>No idea what square-root(2) means. When I said I was innumerate I wasn't 
>>kidding! I
> could of course look
>>it up or ask my mathematics teacher friends but I just know your explanation 
>>will make
> theirs seem trite.
>>
>>Well thanks. The square root of 2 is a number x, such that x*x (x times x, x 
>>multiplied by
> itself) gives 2.For example, the square root of 4 is 2, because 2*2 is 4. The 
> square root of
> 9 is 3, because 3*3 is 9. Her by "square root" I mean the positive square 
> root, because we
> will see (more later that soon) that numbers can have negative square root, 
> but please
> forget this. At this stage, with this definition, you can guess that the 
> square root of 2
> cannot be a natural number. 1*1 = 1, and 2*2 = 4, and it would be astonishing 
> that x
> could be bigger than 2. So if there is number x such that x*x is 2, we can 
> guess that such
> a x cannot be a natural number, that is an element of {0, 1, 2, 3 ...}, and 
> the answer of
> exercise 4 is "no". The square root of two will reappear recurrently, but 
> more in examples,
> than in the sequence of notions which are strictly needed for UDA-7.
>
>
> OK - I find this quite mind-blowing; probably because I now understand it for 
> the first
> time in my life. So how did it get this rather ridiculous name of "square 
> root"? What's it
> called in French?
>

I don't know what it is called in French, but I can answer the first
part.  I remember the day I first figured out where the term came
from.

When you have a number multiplied by itself, the result is called a
square.  3*3 = 9, so 9 is a square.  Imagine arranging a set of peas,
if you can arrange them in a square (the four cornered kind) with the
same number of rows as columns, then that number is a square.  Some
examples of squares are: 4, 9, 16, 25, 36, 49, 64, 81, see the
pattern?  And the "roots" of those squares are 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8,
and 9.  The square root is equal to the number of items in a row, or
column when you arrange them in a square.

This is a completely extraneous fact, but one I consider to be very
interesting: Multiply any 4 consecutive positive whole numbers and the
result will always be 1 less than a square number.  For example,
5*6*7*8 = 1680, which is 1 less than 1681, which is 41*41.  Isn't that
neat?

Jason

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Re: The seven step-Mathematical preliminaries 2

2009-06-04 Thread Bruno Marchal
Hi Marty,


On 04 Jun 2009, at 01:11, m.a. wrote:

> Bruno,
>I stopped half-way through because I'm not at all sure of  
> my answers and would like to have them confirmed or corrected, if  
> necessary, rather than go on giving wrong answers.   marty a.


No problem.

>
>
> Exercise 1: Could you define in intension the following infinite set  
> C = {101, 103, 105, ...}
> C = ?  C={x such that x is odd & x <101}


I guess you meant C = {x such that x is odd and x > 101}.  ">" means  
"bigger than", and "<" means little than. OK.




>
> Exercise 2: I will say that a natural number is a multiple of 4 if  
> it can be written as 4*y, for some y. For example 0 is a multiple of  
> 4, (0 = 4*0), but also 28, 400, 404, ...  Could you define in  
> extension the following set D = {x ⎮ x < 10  &  x is a multiple of  
> 4}.D=4*x  where x = 0 (but also 1,2,3...10)

You cannot write D = 4*x ..., given that D is a set, and 4*x is a  
(unknown) number (a multiple of four when x is a natural number).
Read carefully the problem. I gave the set in intension, and the  
exercise consisted in writing the set in extension. Let us translate  
in english the definition of the set D = {x ⎮ x < 10  &  x is a  
multiple of 4}: it means that D is the set of numbers, x, such that x  
is little than 10, and x is a multiple of four. So D = {0, 4, 8}.

Indeed 0 is little than 10, and 0 is a multiple of four (because 0 =  
4*0), and
4  is little than 10, and 4 is a multiple of four (because 4 = 4*1)
8 is little than 10, and 8 is a multiple of 4 (because 8 = 4*2)
The next mutiple of 4 is 12. It cannot be in the set because 12 is  
bigger than 10.
The numbers 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 9 cannot be in D, because they are not  
multiple of 4. You cannot write 1 = 4 * (some natural numbers), nor  
can you write 3 or 5, or 7 or 9 =  4 * x with x a natural number.

Example: the set of multiple of 4 is {0, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, 32,  
36, ...}, all have the shape 4*x, with x = to 0, 1, 2, 3, ...
The set of multiple of 5 is {0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50,  
55, ...}
Etc.




>
>
> A ∩ B = {x ⎮ x ∈ A and x ∈ B}.
>
> Example {3, 4, 5, 6, 8} ∩ {5, 6, 7, 9} = {5, 6}
>
> Similarly, we can directly define the union of two sets A and B,  
> written A ∪ B in the following way:
>
> A ∪ B = {x ⎮ x ∈ A or x ∈ B}.Here we use the usual  
> logical "or". p or q is suppose to be true if p is true or q is true  
> (or both are true). It is not the exclusive "or".
>
> Example {3, 4, 5, 6, 8} ∪ {5, 6, 7, 9} = {3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8}.
> Question: In the example above, 5,6 were the intersection because  
> they were the (only) two numbers BOTH groups had in common. But in  
> this example, 7 is only in the second group yet it is included in  
> the answer. Please explain.


In the example "above" (that is {3, 4, 5, 6, 8} ∩ {5, 6, 7, 9} = {5,  
6}) we were taking the INTERSECTION of the two sets.
But after that, may be too quickly (and I should have made a title  
perhaps) I was introducing the UNION of the two sets.

If you read carefully the definition in intension, you should see that  
the intersection of A and B is defined with an "and". The definition  
of union is defined with a "or". Do you see that? It is just above in  
the quote.


I hope that your computer can distinguish A ∩ B  (A intersection B)  
and A ∪ B  (A union B).
In the union of two sets, you put all the elements of the two sets  
together. In the intersection of two sets, you take only those  
elements which belongs to the two sets.

It seems you have not seen the difference between "intersection" and  
"union".  I guess you try to go to much quickly, or that the font of  
your computer are too little, or that you have eyesight problems, or  
that you have some dyslexia.








>
> Exercice 3.
> Let N = {0, 1, 2, 3, ...}
> Let A = {x ⎮ x < 10}
> Let B = {x ⎮ x is even}
> Describe in extension (that is: exhaustion or quasi-exhaustion) the  
> following sets:
>
> N ∪ A = {0,1,2,3...} inter {x inter x<10}= {0,1,2,3...9}
> N ∪ B = {0,1,2,3} inter {x inter x is even}= {0,2,4,6...}
> A ∪ B = {x inter x <10} inter {x inter x is even}= {0,2,4,6,8}
> B ∪ A = {x inter x is even} inter {x inter x < 10}= {0,2,4,6,8}

All that would be correct if you were searching the intersection, but  
"∪" is the UNION symbol. (and "∩" is the INTERSECTION symbol).

also you wrote the "⎮" as "inter", instead of "such that".



>
> N ∩ A = {0,1,2,3...} inter {x inter x<10}= {0,1,2,3...9}
> B ∩ A =  {x inter x is even} inter {x inter x < 10}= {0,2,4,6,8}
> N ∩ B =  {0,1,2,3} inter {x inter x is even}= {0,2,4,6...}
> A ∩ B =   {x inter x <10} inter {x inter x is even}= {0,2,4,6,8}


All that is correct. Careful you were still using "inter" in place of  
"such that". Your last line should be

A ∩ B =   {x such that x <10} inter {x such that x is even}=  
{0,2,4,6,8}



>
> Exercice 4
>
> Is it true that A ∩ B = B ∩ A, whatever A and B are?   yes
> Is it true that A 

Re: The seven step-Mathematical preliminaries 2

2009-06-04 Thread kimjo...@ozemail.com.au







On Thu Jun  4  1:15 , Bruno Marchal  sent:

>Very good answer, Kim, 
>Just a few comments. and then the sequel.
>Exercice 4: does the real number square-root(2) belongs to {0, 1, 2,  
>3, ...}?
>
>
>No idea what square-root(2) means. When I said I was innumerate I wasn't 
>kidding! I 
could of course look 
>it up or ask my mathematics teacher friends but I just know your explanation 
>will make 
theirs seem trite.
>
>Well thanks. The square root of 2 is a number x, such that x*x (x times x, x 
>multiplied by 
itself) gives 2.For example, the square root of 4 is 2, because 2*2 is 4. The 
square root of 
9 is 3, because 3*3 is 9. Her by "square root" I mean the positive square root, 
because we 
will see (more later that soon) that numbers can have negative square root, but 
please 
forget this. At this stage, with this definition, you can guess that the square 
root of 2 
cannot be a natural number. 1*1 = 1, and 2*2 = 4, and it would be astonishing 
that x 
could be bigger than 2. So if there is number x such that x*x is 2, we can 
guess that such 
a x cannot be a natural number, that is an element of {0, 1, 2, 3 ...}, and the 
answer of 
exercise 4 is "no". The square root of two will reappear recurrently, but more 
in examples, 
than in the sequence of notions which are strictly needed for UDA-7.


OK - I find this quite mind-blowing; probably because I now understand it for 
the first 
time in my life. So how did it get this rather ridiculous name of "square 
root"? What's it 
called in French?

(snip)

>=== Intension and extension 
>
>Before defining "intersection, union and the notion of subset, I would like to 
>come back 
on the ways we can define some specific sets.
>In the case of finite and "little" set we have seen that we can define them by 
>exhaustion. 
This means we can give an explicit complete description of all element of the 
set. Example. A = {0, 1, 2, 77, 98, 5}
>When the set is still finite and too big, or if we are lazy, we can sometimes 
>define the set 
by quasi exhaustion. This means we describe enough elements of the set in a 
manner 
which, by requiring some good will and some imagination, we can estimate having 
define 
the set.
>Example. B = {3, 6, 9, 12, ... 99}. We can understand in this case that we 
>meant the set of 
multiple of the number three, below 100.

>A fortiori, when a set in not finite, that is, when the set is infinite, we 
>have to use either 
quasi-exhaustion, or we have to use some sentence or phrase or proposition 
describing 
the elements of the set.

>Definition. I will say that a set is defined IN EXTENSIO, or simply, in 
>extension, when it is 
defined in exhaustion or quasi-exhaustion. I will say that a set is defined IN 
INTENSIO, or 
simply in intension, with an "s", when it is defined by a sentence explaining 
the typical 
attribute of the elements.

>Example: Let A be the set {2, 4, 6, 8, 10, ... 100}. We can easily define A in 
>intension:  A 
= the set of numbers which are even and smaller than 100. Mathematicians will 
condense 
this by the following:
>A = {x such that x is even and smaller than 100}  = {x ⎮ x is even & x 
special character, abbreviating "such that", and I hope it goes through the 
mail.




Just an upright line? It comes through as that. I can't seem to get this symbol 
happening so I will 
use "such that"




 If not I will use "such that", or s.t., or things like that.The expression 
{x ⎮ x is even} is 
literally read as:  the set of objects x, (or number x if we are in a context 
where we talk 
about numbers) such that x is even.

>Exercise 1: Could you define in intension the following infinite set C = {101, 
>103, 105, 
...}C = ?


C = {x such that x is odd and x > 101}


>Exercise 2: I will say that a natural number is a multiple of 4 if it can be 
>written as 4*y, 
for some y. For example 0 is a multiple of 4, (0 = 4*0), but also 28, 400, 404, 
...  Could 
you define in extension the following set D = {x ⎮ x < 10 and x is a multiple 
of 4}?

D = 4*x where x = 0 but also { 1, 2, 3, 4, 8 }


I now realise I am doomed for the next set of exercises because I cannot get to 
the special 
symbols required (yet). As I am adding Internet Phone to my system, I am 
currently using an 
ancient Mac without the correct symbol pallette while somebody spends a few 
days to flip a single 
switch...as soon as I can get back to my regular machine I will complete the 
rest.

In the meantime I am enjoying the N+1 disagreement - how refreshing it is to 
see that classical 
mathematics remains somewhat controversial!


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Re: The seven step-Mathematical preliminaries 2

2009-06-03 Thread m.a.
Bruno,
   I stopped half-way through because I'm not at all sure of my answers 
and would like to have them confirmed or corrected, if necessary, rather than 
go on giving wrong answers.   marty a.
  - Original Message - 
  From: Bruno Marchal 
  To: everything-list@googlegroups.com 
  Sent: Wednesday, June 03, 2009 1:15 PM
  Subject: Re: The seven step-Mathematical preliminaries 2



  === Intension and extension 




  Before defining "intersection, union and the notion of subset, I would like 
to come back on the ways we can define some specific sets.


  In the case of finite and "little" set we have seen that we can define them 
by exhaustion. This means we can give an explicit complete description of all 
element of the set. 
  Example. A = {0, 1, 2, 77, 98, 5}


  When the set is still finite and too big, or if we are lazy, we can sometimes 
define the set by quasi exhaustion. This means we describe enough elements of 
the set in a manner which, by requiring some good will and some imagination, we 
can estimate having define the set.


  Example. B = {3, 6, 9, 12, ... 99}. We can understand in this case that we 
meant the set of multiple of the number three, below 100.


  A fortiori, when a set in not finite, that is, when the set is infinite, we 
have to use either quasi-exhaustion, or we have to use some sentence or phrase 
or proposition describing the elements of the set.


  Definition.
  I will say that a set is defined IN EXTENSIO, or simply, in extension, when 
it is defined in exhaustion or quasi-exhaustion.
  I will say that a set is defined IN INTENSIO, or simply in intension, with a 
"s", when it is defined by a sentence explaining the typical attribute of the 
elements.


  Example: Let A be the set {2, 4, 6, 8, 10, ... 100}. We can easily define A 
in intension:  A = the set of numbers which are even and more little than 100. 
mathematician will condense this by the following:


  A = {x such that x is even and little than 100}  = {x ⎮ x is even & x < 100}. 
"⎮" is a special character, abbreviating "such that", and I hope it goes 
through the mail. If not I will use "such that", or s.t., or things like that.
  The expression {x ⎮ x is even} is literally read as:  the set of object x, 
(or number x if we are in a context where we talk about number) such that x is 
even.


  Exercise 1: Could you define in intension the following infinite set C = 
{101, 103, 105, ...}
  C = ?  C={x such that x is odd & x <101}


  Exercise 2: I will say that a natural number is a multiple of 4 if it can be 
written as 4*y, for some y. For example 0 is a multiple of 4, (0 = 4*0), but 
also 28, 400, 404, ...  Could you define in extension the following set D = {x 
⎮ x < 10  &  x is a multiple of 4}.D=4*x  where x = 0 (but also 1,2,3...10)


  A last notational, but important symbol. Sets have elements. For example the 
set A = {1, 2, 3} has three elements 1, 2 and 3. For saying that 3 is an 
element of A in an a short way, we usually write 3 ∈ A.  this is read as "3 
belongs to A", or "3 is in A". Now 4 does not belong to A. To write this in a 
short way, we will write 4 ∉ A, or we will write ¬ (4 ∈ A) or sometimes just 
NOT(4 ∈ A). It is read: 4 does not belong to A, or: it is not the case that 4 
belongs to A.


  Having those notions and notations at our disposition we can speed up on the 
notion of union and intersection.


  The intersection of the sets A and B is the (new) set of those elements which 
belongs to both A and B. Put in another way: 
  The intersection of the sets A with the set B is the set of those elements 
which belongs to A and which belongs to B. 
  This new set, obtained from A and B is written A ∩ B, or A inter. B (in case 
the special character doesn't go through).
  With our notations we can write or define the intersection A ∩ B directly


  A ∩ B = {x ⎮ x ∈ A and x ∈ B}.


  Example {3, 4, 5, 6, 8} ∩ {5, 6, 7, 9} = {5, 6}


  Similarly, we can directly define the union of two sets A and B, written A ∪ 
B in the following way:


  A ∪ B = {x ⎮ x ∈ A or x ∈ B}.Here we use the usual logical "or". p or q 
is suppose to be true if p is true or q is true (or both are true). It is not 
the exclusive "or".


  Example {3, 4, 5, 6, 8} ∪ {5, 6, 7, 9} = {3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8}.   Question: In 
the example above, 5,6 were the intersection because they were the (only) two 
numbers BOTH groups had in common. But in this example, 7 is only in the second 
group yet it is included in the answer. Please explain.


  Exercice 3. 
  Let N = {0, 1, 2, 3, ...}
  Let A = {x ⎮ x < 10}
  Let B = {x ⎮ x is even}
  Describe in extension (that is: exhaustion or quasi-exhaustion) the following 
sets:


  N ∪ A = {0,1,2,3...} inter {x inter x<10}= {0,1,2,3...9}
  N ∪ B = {0,1,2,3} inter {x in

Re: The seven step-Mathematical preliminaries 2

2009-06-03 Thread Bruno Marchal
Very good answer, Kim,

Just a few comments. and then the sequel.

>> Exercice 4: does the real number square-root(2) belongs to {0, 1, 2,
>> 3, ...}?
>
>
> No idea what square-root(2) means. When I said I was innumerate I  
> wasn't kidding! I could of course look
> it up or ask my mathematics teacher friends but I just know your  
> explanation will make theirs seem trite.


Well thanks.
The square root of 2 is a number x, such that x*x (x times x, x  
multiplied by itself) gives 2.
For example, the square root of 4 is 2, because 2*2 is 4. The square  
root of 9 is 3, because 3*3 is 9. Her by "square root" I mean the  
positive square root, because we will see (more later that soon) that  
numbers can have negative square root, but please forget this.
At this stage, with this definition, you can guess that the square  
root of 2 cannot be a natural number. 1*1 = 1, and 2*2 = 4, and it  
would be astonishing that x could be bigger than 2. So if there is  
number x such that x*x is 2, we can guess that such a x cannot be a  
natural number, that is an element of {0, 1, 2, 3 ...}, and the answer  
of exercise 4 is "no". The square root of two will reappear  
recurrently, but more in examples, than in the sequence of notions  
which are strictly needed for UDA-7.



>> A set is entirely defined by its elements. Put in another way, we  
>> will
>> say that two sets are equal if they have the same elements.
>> Exercise 6. Let S be the set {0, 1, 45} and let M be the set  
>> described
>> by {45, 0, 1}. Is it true or false that S is equal to M?
>
>
> True - unless integer position within a given sequence in a set  
> plays a role. I will guess that it does not.


You are right.



>> Exercise 7. Let S be the set {666} and M be the set {6, 6, 6}. Is is
>> true or false that S is equal to M?
>
>
> False - the commas separate each natural number


You are right. Also note that there is only one element in the set {6,  
6, 6}. It is just a redundant description of the set {6}.



> Very excited about doing this. If you can make it all as  
> approachable as this I am over the moon!


I will try, and it is very kind to play such a candid role. I  
appreciate that you have the ability to say "I don't know  
". It is very helpful for me to remain approachable, and  
eventually it will help everybody.

So let us continue.



=== Intension and extension 


Before defining "intersection, union and the notion of subset, I would  
like to come back on the ways we can define some specific sets.

In the case of finite and "little" set we have seen that we can define  
them by exhaustion. This means we can give an explicit complete  
description of all element of the set.
Example. A = {0, 1, 2, 77, 98, 5}

When the set is still finite and too big, or if we are lazy, we can  
sometimes define the set by quasi exhaustion. This means we describe  
enough elements of the set in a manner which, by requiring some good  
will and some imagination, we can estimate having define the set.

Example. B = {3, 6, 9, 12, ... 99}. We can understand in this case  
that we meant the set of multiple of the number three, below 100.

A fortiori, when a set in not finite, that is, when the set is  
infinite, we have to use either quasi-exhaustion, or we have to use  
some sentence or phrase or proposition describing the elements of the  
set.

Definition.
I will say that a set is defined IN EXTENSIO, or simply, in extension,  
when it is defined in exhaustion or quasi-exhaustion.
I will say that a set is defined IN INTENSIO, or simply in intension,  
with a "s", when it is defined by a sentence explaining the typical  
attribute of the elements.

Example: Let A be the set {2, 4, 6, 8, 10, ... 100}. We can easily  
define A in intension:  A = the set of numbers which are even and more  
little than 100. mathematician will condense this by the following:

A = {x such that x is even and little than 100}  = {x ⎮ x is even & x  
< 100}. "⎮" is a special character, abbreviating "such that", and I  
hope it goes through the mail. If not I will use "such that", or s.t.,  
or things like that.
The expression {x ⎮ x is even} is literally read as:  the set of  
object x, (or number x if we are in a context where we talk about  
number) such that x is even.

Exercise 1: Could you define in intension the following infinite set C  
= {101, 103, 105, ...}
C = ?

Exercise 2: I will say that a natural number is a multiple of 4 if it  
can be written as 4*y, for some y. For example 0 is a multiple of 4,  
(0 = 4*0), but also 28, 400, 404, ...  Could you define in extension  
the following set D = {x ⎮ x < 10  &  x is a multiple of 4}.

A last notational, but important symbol. Sets have elements. For  
example the set A = {1, 2, 3} has three elements 1, 2 and 3. For  
saying that 3 is an element of A in an a short way, we usually write 3  
∈ A.  this is read as "3 belongs to A", or "3 is in A". Now 4 does  
not belong to A. To write t