Constructing the real numbers using Cauchy sequences of rational numbers.
Considering CQ as the set of all Cauchy sequences of rational numbers, we define a relation on CQ:
(an)R(bn)⟺n→∞lim(an−bn)=0.
This relation is an equivalence relation, as it satisfies:
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Reflexivity: limn→∞(an−an)=0.
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Symmetry: limn→∞(an−bn)=0 implies limn→∞(bn−an)=0.
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Transitivity: If limn→∞(an−bn)=0 and limn→∞(bn−cn)=0, then limn→∞(an−cn)=0.
For any k∈Q, we consider the sequence (k)n∈N, which is a Cauchy sequence and forms an equivalence class. Thus, we identify each rational number with its equivalence class:
k≡[k]=[(an)]∈CQ,n→∞lim(an)=k.
We can extend this to irrational numbers by considering equivalence classes where the limit is not rational, considering i∈/Q, then we have:
i≡[i]=[(an)]∈CQ,n→∞lim(an)=i
Therefore, the set of real numbers can be defined as the set of all equivalence classes of Cauchy sequences of rational numbers:
R=CQ/R.
This construction of the real numbers ensures a bijection between R and the set of all Cauchy sequences of rational numbers, providing a complete model of R from Q.