Infimum meaning

The infimum is the greatest lower bound of a set.


Infimum definitions

Word backwards mumifni
Part of speech The word "infimum" is a noun.
Syllabic division in-fi-mum
Plural The plural of the word "infimum" is "infima."
Total letters 7
Vogais (2) i,u
Consonants (3) n,f,m

When it comes to mathematical analysis, the concept of infimum plays a crucial role. The infimum of a set is the greatest lower bound of the set, meaning it is the largest number that is less than or equal to every number in the set. This concept is particularly important in the study of real numbers and in the field of calculus.

The Definition of Infimum

The infimum of a set S is denoted as inf(S) or as glb(S) (greatest lower bound of S). Formally, a number m is the infimum of S if:

1. $\em{m \leq s}$ for all $s \in S$

2. If $l < m$, then there exists an $s \in S$ such that $l < s$

Example of Infimum

For example, let's consider the set S = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5}. The infimum of set S is 1 because it is the greatest lower bound of the set. For any number less than 1, such as 0.5, there is an element in set S, which is 1, that is greater than 0.5.

Relationship with Minimum

It is important to note that the infimum of a set may or may not belong to the set itself. If the infimum belongs to the set, then it is also the minimum of the set. However, if the infimum is not an element of the set, then the minimum of the set does not exist.

In conclusion, the concept of infimum is a fundamental one in mathematical analysis, helping to define the boundaries and limits within a set of numbers. Understanding the infimum of a set is essential in various mathematical applications, providing insight into the lower bounds of a given set.


Infimum Examples

  1. The infimum of a set of numbers is the greatest lower bound of the set.
  2. In mathematics, the infimum is denoted as "inf."
  3. Finding the infimum of a continuous function may involve calculus.
  4. The infimum of a set may not always be an element of the set.
  5. The infimum of a set can be finite or infinite.
  6. The concept of infimum is commonly used in analysis and optimization problems.
  7. In a partially ordered set, the infimum of two elements is their greatest lower bound.
  8. For a set of real numbers, the infimum is the smallest real number that is greater than or equal to all elements in the set.
  9. The infimum of a set can help determine the limit behavior of a sequence or series.
  10. Understanding infimum is crucial in certain areas of mathematics such as measure theory and topology.


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  • Updated 12/04/2024 - 17:20:40