1.2 The Order Properties 15
( c) Suppose F is an ordered field. Then 1 E F and, since F is closed under
addition, F must contain the elements
1, 1+1, 1+1+1, 1+1 + 1 + 1,
By Corollary 1.2.7, 1 E P , and by Axiom (01), each element in this list is
in P. Moreover, by Theorem 1.2.8,
1 < (1+1) < (1+1+1) < (1+1+1+1) <
By the transitive property, each successive element in the above list is larger
than all previous elements in the list. So, the list above contains no duplicates;
all elements are different.
Since there is no end to the number of times we can add 1, this list must
contain an infinite number of different elements. Therefore, P must be an infi-
nite set. •
EXERCISE SET 1.2-A
l. Which of the fields found in Exercise Set 1.1-A are ordered fields with
respect to some natural choice of subsets P. [In each case, try to find a
natural set P of "positive" elements.]
- Prove Theorem 1.2.5 (a).
- Prove Theorem 1.2.5 (b).
- Prove Theorem l. 2. 5 ( c). [Hint: apply Axiom (03).]
- Prove Theorem 1.2.6 (b).
- Prove Theorem 1.2.6 (d).
- Prove Theorem 1.2.6 (e)
- Prove Theorem 1.2.6 (f).
- Prove Corollary 1.2.7.
- Prove Theorem 1.2.8 (b).
- Prove Theorem 1.2.8 (d).
12. Prove the "~" part of Theorem 1.2.8 (e).
- Prove Corollary 1.2.9.
14. Prove the '«~=" part of Theorem 1.2.10 (a).
- Prove Theorem 1.2.10 (b).