Infs and Sups

Math 111

Denition. Let X R. 1. A number B is an upper bound for X if x B for all x X . If X has an upper bound, then X is said to be bounded above. 2. The real number s is the supremum of X , denoted sup X , if (i) x s for all x X and (ii) if s B for all upper bounds B of X . The supremum is also known as the least upper bound and denoted lub X . 3. Let X R. A number b is a lower bound for X if b x for all x X . If X has a lower bound, then X is said to be bounded below. 4. The real number t is the inmum of X , denoted inf X , if (i) t x for all x X and (ii) if b t for all lower bounds b of X . The inmum is also known as the greatest lower bound and denoted glb X . Completeness property of the real numbers. Every nonempty subset of R bounded above has a least upper bound. Every nonempty subset of X bounded below has a greatest lower bound.