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Section 9: Problem 2 Solution

Working problems is a crucial part of learning mathematics. No one can learn topology merely by poring over the definitions, theorems, and examples that are worked out in the text. One must work part of it out for oneself. To provide that opportunity is the purpose of the exercises.
James R. Munkres
Find if possible a choice function for each of the following collections, without using the choice axiom:
(a) The collection of nonempty subsets of .
(b) The collection of nonempty subsets of .
(c) The collection of nonempty subsets of the rational numbers .
(d) The collection of nonempty subsets of , where .
(a) Take the lowest element of each subset.
(b) For a subset, take its lowest positive element if there is at least one, otherwise take its largest element (in this latter case the set is bounded from above by ).
(c) First, for every , we consider its unique representation as a pair of integer numbers such that is irreducible and is positive. The fact that it is possible and the pair is uniquely determined should not depend on the axiom of choice. Then, for every nonempty set of rational numbers, we consider the set of denominators , use the choice function defined in (a) to pick one of its elements, i.e. we find the lowest denominator , then, we construct the set corresponding to the lowest denominator , consider the set of numerators , and use the choice function defined in (b) to choose one of its elements, which we call . Then, implies for some , for which , and . is the chosen element.
(d) A nonempty subset of is a (possibly, uncountable) set of infinite sequences of and . We need to provide a general rule that would work for any such subset and pick one of its sequences. Think about it. ;) As a hint, each sequence of ’s and ’s corresponds to a real number from , and each real number from corresponds to one or two (if it is a rational number from ) sequences of ’s and ’s. If we can explicitly construct a choice function in (d), then, based on it, we can explicitly construct a choice function for the collection of all subsets of . But then, one can use this choice function to explicitly well-order (see §10), something that is not possible (Feferman?).