Introduction

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Algebraic Properties of Real Numbers
Order in R

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Properties of real numbers

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A. BALEHOUANE
al ENSNN
es A
.B
1st year

2023/2024
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A. BALEHOUANE Properties of real numbers

 Introduction

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Algebraic Properties of Real Numbers
Order in R

Table of Contents

n an
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1 Introduction

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2 Algebraic Properties of Real Numbers
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3 Order in R
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A. BALEHOUANE Properties of real numbers

 Introduction

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Algebraic Properties of Real Numbers
Order in R

Introduction

We recall the usual notations for sets of numbers :

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• N is the set of positive natural numbers {0, 1, 2, . . . . . .}.

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• Z is the set of integers {. . . , −2, −1, 0, 1, 2, . . . ..}.

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• Q is the set of rationals, i.e., Q = ba ; a ∈ Z, b ∈ N{0} .
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• R represents the set of real numbers, and we have the following
inclusions : N ⊂ Z ⊂ Q ⊂ R.al
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• The set R\Q is called the set of irrationals.
A

• For each of these sets, the addition of the symbol ∗ means that
we exclude 0 from the set : N∗ , Z∗ , Q∗ , and R∗ .
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A. BALEHOUANE Properties of real numbers

 Introduction

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Algebraic Properties of Real Numbers
Order in R

Introduction

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Example
p p

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Show that 2 is not a rational number : 2∉Q
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A. BALEHOUANE Properties of real numbers

 Introduction

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Algebraic Properties of Real Numbers
Order in R

Proof
We will proceedp by contradiction :
Suppose that 2 ∈ Q :
 p p
2=

n


 q

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∃p, q : p ∈ Z and q ∈ Z⋆

an


GCD(p, q) = 1 GCD=Great common divisor

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

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However, p p p2

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2= ⇒2= 2
q q
al ⇒ 2q2 = p2
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⇒ p2 is even
⇒ p is even
⇒ ∃k ∈ Z ; p = 2k
⇒ 2q2 = 4k2
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⇒ q2 = 2k2

A. BALEHOUANE Properties of real numbers

 Introduction

co
Algebraic Properties of Real Numbers
Order in R

Proof

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e
⇒ q2 = 2k2

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⇒ q2 is even

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⇒ q is even
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⇒ which contradicts GCD(p, q) = 1 Coprime
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p
Therefore, our initial assumption is false, and we conclude that 2
A

p
cannot be written in the form pq , p, q as integers =⇒ 2 ∉ Q
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A. BALEHOUANE Properties of real numbers

 Introduction

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Algebraic Properties of Real Numbers
Order in R

Algebraic vs Transcendent numbers

Definition

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An algebraic number is a real /complex number that is a solution to a

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non-zero polynomial equation with rational coefficients :

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There are an , . . . , a1 , a0 ∈ Q; ak , 0 such that an xn + . . . + a1 x + a0 = 0

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The set of Algebraic numbers includes all Rational Numbers, and some

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Irrational Numbers.
p
al
2 is an algebraic number since it is the root of the polynomial
x2 − 2 = 0 with rational coefficient.
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Definition
Transcendental numbers are irrational numbers that are not algebraic.
e, π and ln 2 are transcendent numbers.
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A. BALEHOUANE Properties of real numbers

 Introduction

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Algebraic Properties of Real Numbers
Order in R

Example

Example
qp

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3 3+1
Is x = an Algebraic
s number. Indeed, we have

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2 p p

an
3 3+1 3+1
x= ⇒ x3 =

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2 2

ou
p
⇒ 2x3 = 3+1

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3
p
⇒ 2x − 1 = 3
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⇒ (2x − 1) = 3 2
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⇒ 4x6 − 4x3 + 1 = 3
⇒ 4x6 − 4x3 − 2 = 0

Thus x is a root of a non-zero polynomial equation with rational coefficients

⇒ x is an algebraic number.
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A. BALEHOUANE Properties of real numbers

 Introduction

co
Algebraic Properties of Real Numbers
Order in R

Table of Contents

n an
e
1 Introduction

te eh
ou
2 Algebraic Properties of Real Numbers
al
es .B
3 Order in R
A
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A. BALEHOUANE Properties of real numbers

 Introduction

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Algebraic Properties of Real Numbers
Order in R

The Set R

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The set of real numbers is equipped with

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two internal binary operations :

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addition denoted by + and multiplication denoted by × (or
sometimes ·). al
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A. BALEHOUANE Properties of real numbers

 Introduction

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Algebraic Properties of Real Numbers
Order in R

Properties of Addition

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The addition of real numbers has the following properties :

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Commutativity : ∀x, y ∈ R : x + y = y + x.


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

Associativity : ∀x, y, z ∈ R : x + (y + z) = (x + y) + z.


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 Zero is the Identity Element : ∀x ∈ R : x + 0 = 0 + x = x



 al
Every Real Number has an Inverse : ∀x ∈ R : x + (−x) = (−x) + x = 0.
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We can then say that (R, +) is a commutative group.
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A. BALEHOUANE Properties of real numbers

 Introduction

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Algebraic Properties of Real Numbers
Order in R

Properties of Multiplication

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The multiplication of real numbers has the following properties :

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Commutativity : ∀x, y ∈ R : x.y = y.x



Associativity : ∀x, y, z ∈ R : x.(y.z) = (x.y).z

eh


1 is the Identity Element : ∀x ∈ R : x.1 = 1.x = x




 al
Every Non-Zero Real Number has an Inverse : ∀x ∈ R : x. 1x = 1x .x.

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A. BALEHOUANE Properties of real numbers

 Introduction

co
Algebraic Properties of Real Numbers
Order in R

Distributive Property of Multiplication over Addition

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∀x, y, z ∈ R : x · (y + z) = x · y + x · z; (y + z) · x = y · x + z · x

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Therefore, (R, +, ·) forms a commutative field.
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es A
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A. BALEHOUANE Properties of real numbers

 Introduction

co
Algebraic Properties of Real Numbers
Order in R

Table of Contents

n an
e
1 Introduction

te eh
ou
2 Algebraic Properties of Real Numbers
al
es .B
3 Order in R
A
il

A. BALEHOUANE Properties of real numbers

 Introduction

co
Algebraic Properties of Real Numbers
Order in R

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The set of real numbers R is equipped with a total order relation

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denoted by ≤, meaning it satisfies the following properties :

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• ≤ is Reflexive : ∀x ∈ R : x ≤ x.

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• ≤ is Antisymmetric : ∀x, y ∈ R : x ≤ y and y ≤ x =⇒ x = y.

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• ≤ is Transitive : ∀, x, y, z ∈ R : x ≤ y and y ≤ z =⇒ x ≤ z.
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• Moreover, ∀x, y ∈ R we have either x ≤ y or y ≤ x. (This means
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that elements of R are comparable).
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A. BALEHOUANE Properties of real numbers