Thread: Proof of Inf S= -sup(-S)

I'm trying to prove that inf S = -sup(-S) where -S={-s : s is in S} and S is a nonempty subset of the Reals.

I was able to do the bounded above and below case, and the bounded below case and not above, but I having trouble with the not bounded below and bounded above and not bounded at all cases.

Help Appreciated.

If S is not bounded below, then -S is not bounded above. What do we say inf S and sup(-S) are in this case?

- Hollywood

Originally Posted by hollywood

If S is not bounded below, then -S is not bounded above. What do we say inf S and sup(-S) are in this case?

- Hollywood

Yes, I understand that if S is not below then inf S=-infinity and if -S is not above, then sup -S = infinity. But is it really just a matter of saying then since inf S = -infinity and sup -S= infinity then -sup -S is -infinity also?

Or am I trying to make it harder than it has to be?

Yes, that's all it is.

To be 100% technically correct, the problem statement would have to be "Inf S = -Sup(-S) when they are finite and Inf S = if and only if Sup(-S)= " since the expression is undefined. But that's a technicality - no one thinks is anything other than .

The final case is easy now, right?

- Hollywood