# Math Help - Show that if a ∈ R, then: sup{r ∈ Q : r < a} = a .

1. ## Show that if a ∈ R, then: sup{r ∈ Q : r < a} = a .

Show that if a ∈ R, then:
sup{r ∈ Q : r < a} = a .

Seems like a very simple question, but the r is throwing me off. Do you prove it the same way as a natural number using an epsilon? or how do you prove a supremum with a rational number.

2. Originally Posted by habsfan31
Show that if a ∈ R, then:
sup{r ∈ Q : r < a} = a .
We know that $\sigma = \sup \left\{ {r \in \mathbb{Q}:r < a}\right\}$ exists.
Also $\sigma \le a$ because $a$ is an upper bound for the set.
Suppose that $\sigma then $\sigma<\dfrac{a+\sigma}{2}.

3. Thanks, but im confused. How is a contradiction?

4. Do you realize that between any two numbers there is a rational number?

5. Yes.

6. K i received help from a friend who took the course, hes not sure if hes right though.

He says that since Q is dense in R, every nonempty interval of R contains a rational.

From the definition of the set S = sup{r ∈ Q : r < a} it follows a is an upper bound of the set S. For every ε >0, the density of the rationals in R shows there is a rational r in (a - ε, a). So, a - ε < r < a, which shows a = sup S is the least upper bound of S.

Is this approach correct?

7. Well of course. That was the whole point.

, <, supr