Test Flight Problem Set Q9

9. Given an infinite collection An , n 1,2,..., of intervals of the real line, their

intersection is defined to be

An {x | (n)( x An )}
n 1
Give an example of a family of intervals An , n 1,2,..., such that An1 An

for all n and n 1
An . Prove that your example has the stated
property.

Answer:
1
The example is: (0, )
n
First, we prove An1 An

1 1 1 1
n 1 n (0, ) (0, ) and done.
n 1 n n 1 n

The second property is (n)( An )
n 1

Proof by contradiction.

1
Assume (n)(x)( x An ) , So (n)(x)( x (0, )) ()
n
1 1 1
Let m , So x , So x (0, ) and this is in contradiction with ()
x m m

So there isnt any x s.t. (n)( x An ) and so n 1
An .

1
Hence we showed (0, ) has both properties. Done
n