Addition on R (via Dedekind Cuts)

See Dedekind Cuts, Constructing R for a refresh of cuts. Let A,B∈R:

Here A+B should be a new set to the right of B over some A 'amount'.

This approach actually works:

A+B={a+b|a∈A,b∈B}
Closure of Set Addition Operation in R

This operation is closed, namely A+B is always a cut. For example, for property 2, if we have a+b∈A+B and q∈Q where q<a+b then q−b<a so then q−b∈A since A is a cut. But:

q=(q−b)+b∈A+B

So then q∈A+B as required.
The other properties would be proved similarly.

Commutivity and associativity come out from the commutativity and associativity of the Q addition operation.

Commutativity and Associativity in R

R has commutativity and associativity properties when defined via Dedekind Cuts.

Proof
(Commutativity) Let A,B∈R. We'll show A+B=B+A since:

A+B={a+b|a∈A,b∈B}={b+a|b∈B,a∈A}=B+A

from the commutativity of addition on Q.
(Associativity) Is shown in pretty much the same way.
☐

There's also the additive identity O defined as:

O={q∈Q|q<0}

Let's show that any A+O=A:

O is additive identity

Let A∈R. Then A+O=A.

Proof
We'll show both ⊆ and ⊇:

(⊆): Let a′∈A+O so then ∃a∈A,q∈O such that a′=a+q. We want to show that a′∈A. Notice that since q<0 then:

q<0⇒a+q<a∈A⇒a+q∈A

Thus since a′=a+q then a′∈A.

(⊇): Let a′∈A, so then ∃a∈A such that a>a′.

A+O={a+q|a∈A,q∈O}

Now notice that a′<a⇒a′−a<0 so clearly a′−a∈O. Now notice:

a′=a⏟∈A+(a′−a)⏟∈O∈A+O

as required.

☐
What is the additive inverse −A? Let's think on the number line:

Thus we define it as follows:

−A

Define −A={q∈Q|∃t∉A s.t. t<−q}.

−A gives rise to Ordered Field properties

Given the above −A definition, then:

  1. −A is a cut (well defined)
  2. A+(−A)=O

Pasted image 20240925223714.png

Proof

  1. Let's prove −A is a cut:
    a. A is a cut so A≠∅ and A≠Q. Thus ∃t∉A so then choose any r<−t since then −r>t so r∈−A (for example, choose r=−t−1). Thus −A≠∅. Further we know ∃a∈A so then ∀t∉A then t>a. Thus since −a≤a then −a∉−A so −A≠Q.
    b. Let a∈−A and q∈Q such that q<a. WTS q∈−A. Notice ∃t∉A where t<−a. But notice that −q>−a>t so then q∈−A.
    c. Let a∈−A. Then ∃t∉A where t<−a. If we construct t′=t−a2 then t<t′<−a so then since t<t′ where t∉A we can choose −t′∈−A as a result.
  1. Let's prove A+(−A)=O:
    (⊆): Let a∈A and a′∈−A. Then ∃t∉A where t<−a′. Since a∈A and t∉A then we must have it that t>a (since otherwise it'd force t∈A as a contradiction). Then notice that:
a′<tt>a⇒−t<−a′t>a⇒a−a′<a−t0>a−t⇒a−a′<a−t<0⇒a−a′<0≡a−a′∈O

Thus A+(−A)⊆O.

(⊇): Let o∈O so o<0. Since A is a cut then ∃a∈A. Further ∃q∈A where q>a. Then q−a>0>o so q−a>o. Then 0>a+(o−q). This suggests showing that o−q∈−A, since once we have that we are done.

Notice that −a∉−A, because for contradiction if −a∈−A then ∃t∉A where t<a. But by A being a cut we have to have t∈A which is a contradiction. As a result, since −A is a cut and because o−q<−a then o−q∈−A, which finishes the proof. ☐