Hi guys the analysis continues.
Let $\displaystyle A = \{y \in \mathbb{Q} : y \ge 0, y^2 < 2 \} $
QUESTION 1: Show, without assuming the existence of $\displaystyle \sqrt{2} $, that A does not have a maximal element, i.e. prove that if $\displaystyle y \in A$ then there exists $\displaystyle z > y $ with $\displaystyle z \in A $.
SOLUTION 1: Let $\displaystyle z = y + \delta $. We need to find delta so small that z > y but $\displaystyle z^2 < 2 $. We require $\displaystyle y^2 < z^2 < 2 \iff y^2 < (y+\delta)^2 < 2 \iff y^2 < y^2 + 2 \delta y + {\delta}^2 <2 $
$\displaystyle \iff 0 < 2 \delta y + {\delta}^2 < 2 - y^2$
Take $\displaystyle \delta < 1 $, then $\displaystyle {\delta}^2 < \delta $ .
Also it is safe to assume that y < 2. So $\displaystyle 2\delta y < 4 \delta $
So $\displaystyle 2 \delta y + {\delta}^2 < \delta + 4 \delta = 5 \delta $.
We get a small enough delta therefore if we choose $\displaystyle 5\delta < 2-y^2 \iff \delta < \frac{ 2-y^2}{5} $ i.e. choose $\displaystyle \delta = \frac{2-y^2}{10} $. Indeed $\displaystyle \delta > 0 $ since $\displaystyle 2 - y^2 > 0 $.
QUESTION 2: Show too that if $\displaystyle y \in \mathbb{Q} $ has $\displaystyle y^2 > 2 $ and $\displaystyle y > 0 $, then there is $\displaystyle 0 < z < y $ with $\displaystyle z^2 > 2 $.
SOLUTION 2: This is where I am having trouble. I have let $\displaystyle z = y - \delta $ and again assumed that $\displaystyle \delta < 1 $ and $\displaystyle y > 1 $. Any help would be appreciated
QUESTION 3: A is non-empty and bounded above therefore by the completeness axiom the supremum of A exists. Write x = sup A and show that $\displaystyle x^2 = 2 $. [Hint: one way of doing this is to show that both $\displaystyle x^2 < 2 $ and $\displaystyle x^2 > 2 $ lead to a contradiction using the previous step.]
SOLUTION 3: I don't really understand how to use the previous steps to solve this part. Again any help would be appreciated.