Test Flight Problem Set Q10

10. Give an example of a family of intervals An , n 1,2,..., such that An1 An

for all n and n 1
An consists of a single real number. Prove that your
example has the stated property.

Answer:
1 1
The example is: An ( , )
n n

Well show that
n 1
An 0

Proof by contradiction.

1 1
Assume (n)(x 0)( x ( , ))
n n
x 0 , So either x 0 or x 0
1 1 1 1
If x 0 , let m , So x , So x ( , ) and this is in contradiction with
x m m m
1 1
(n)( x ( , ))
n n
1 1 1 1
If x 0 , let m , So x , So x ( , ) and this is in contradiction with
x m m m
1 1
(n)( x ( , ))
n n
So in both conditions x 0 or x 0 there is a contradiction.

1 1
Hence if An ( , ) , n 1
An 0 . Done
n n