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another proof of the non-existence of a continuous function that switches the rational and the irrational numbers
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(Proof)
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Let $\mathbb{J}=\mathbb{R}\setminus\mathbb{Q}$ denote the irrationals. There is no continuous function $f\colon \mathbb{R} \to \mathbb{R}$ such that $f(\mathbb{Q})\subseteq \mathbb{J}$ and $f(\mathbb{J})\subseteq\mathbb{Q}$
Proof
Suppose $f$ is such a function. Since $\mathbb{Q}$ is countable, $f(\mathbb{Q})$ and $f(\mathbb{J})$ are also countable. Therefore the image of $f$ is countable. If $f$ is not a constant function, then by the intermediate value theorem the image of $f$ contains a nonempty interval, so the image of $f$ is uncountable. We have just shown that this isn't the case, so there must be some $c$ such that $f(x)=c$ for all $x\in\mathbb{R}$ Therefore $f(\mathbb{Q})=\{c\}\subset\mathbb{J}$ and $f(\mathbb{J})=\{c\}\subset\mathbb{Q}$ Obviously no number is both rational and irrational, so no such $f$
exists.
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"another proof of the non-existence of a continuous function that switches the rational and the irrational numbers" is owned by neapol1s.
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Cross-references: rational and irrational, number, uncountable, interval, contains, intermediate value theorem, constant function, image, countable, function, proof, continuous function, irrationals
This is version 4 of another proof of the non-existence of a continuous function that switches the rational and the irrational numbers, born on 2006-11-12, modified 2006-11-13.
Object id is 8546, canonical name is ProofOfTheNonExistenceOfAContinuousFunctionThatSwitchesTheRationalAndTheIrrationalNumbers.
Accessed 1153 times total.
Classification:
| AMS MSC: | 54E52 (General topology :: Spaces with richer structures :: Baire category, Baire spaces) |
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Pending Errata and Addenda
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