Problem Set 5

Full solutions to these problems are available for free download here:
www.SATPrepGet800.com/PMFBXSG
LEVEL 1
1. The addition and multiplication tables below are defined on the set 𝑆 = {0, 1, 2}. Show that
(𝑆, +, ⋅) does not define a field.

+ 0 1 2 ⋅ 0 1 2
0 0 1 2 0 0 0 0
1 1 2 0 1 0 1 2
2 2 0 1 2 0 2 2

2. Let 𝐹 = {0, 1}, where 0 ≠ 1. Show that there is exactly one field (𝐹, +, ⋅), where 0 is the
additive identity and ⋅ is the multiplicative identity.

LEVEL 2
3. Let (𝐹, +, ⋅) be a field. Prove each of the following:
(i) If 𝑎, 𝑏 ∈ 𝐹 with 𝑎 + 𝑏 = 𝑏, then 𝑎 = 0.
(ii) If 𝑎 ∈ 𝐹, 𝑏 ∈ 𝐹 ∗ , and 𝑎𝑏 = 𝑏, then 𝑎 = 1.
(iii) If 𝑎 ∈ 𝐹, then 𝑎 ⋅ 0 = 0.
1
(iv) If 𝑎 ∈ 𝐹 ∗ , 𝑏 ∈ 𝐹, and 𝑎𝑏 = 1, then 𝑏 = .
𝑎

(v) If 𝑎, 𝑏 ∈ 𝐹 and 𝑎𝑏 = 0, then 𝑎 = 0 or 𝑏 = 0.

(vi) If 𝑎 ∈ 𝐹, then – 𝑎 = – 1𝑎
(vii) (– 1)(– 1) = 1.

4. Let (𝐹, +, ⋅) be a field with ℕ ⊆ 𝐹. Prove that ℚ ⊆ 𝐹.

LEVEL 3
5. Let (𝐹, ≤) be an ordered field. Prove each of the following:
(i) If 𝑎, 𝑏 ∈ 𝐹, exactly one of the following holds: 𝑎 < 𝑏, 𝑎 = 𝑏, or 𝑎 > 𝑏.
(ii) If 𝑎, 𝑏 ∈ 𝐹, 𝑎 ≤ 𝑏, and 𝑏 ≤ 𝑎, then 𝑎 = 𝑏.
(iii) If 𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐 ∈ 𝐹, 𝑎 < 𝑏, and 𝑏 < 𝑐, then 𝑎 < 𝑐.
(iv) If 𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐 ∈ 𝐹, 𝑎 ≤ 𝑏, and 𝑏 ≤ 𝑐, then 𝑎 ≤ 𝑐.
1 1
(v) If 𝑎, 𝑏 ∈ 𝐹 + and 𝑎 > 𝑏, then 𝑎 < 𝑏.
(vi) If 𝑎, 𝑏 ∈ 𝐹, then 𝑎 > 𝑏 if and only if – 𝑎 < – 𝑏.
(vii) If 𝑎, 𝑏 ∈ 𝐹, then 𝑎 ≥ 𝑏 if and only if – 𝑎 ≤ – 𝑏.
 6. Let (𝐹, +, ⋅) be a field. Show that (𝐹, ⋅) is a commutative monoid.

LEVEL 4
7. Prove that there is no smallest positive real number.

8. Let 𝑎 be a nonnegative real number. Prove that 𝑎 = 0 if and only if 𝑎 is less than every positive
real number. (Note: 𝑎 nonnegative means that 𝑎 is positive or zero.)
𝑚
9. Prove that every rational number can be written in the form 𝑛 , where 𝑚 ∈ ℤ, 𝑛 ∈ ℤ∗ , and at least
one of 𝑚 or 𝑛 is not even.

LEVEL 5
10. Show that every nonempty set of real numbers that is bounded below has a greatest lower bound
in ℝ.

11. Show that between any two real numbers there is a real number that is not rational.

12. Let 𝑇 = {𝑥 ∈ 𝐹 | – 2 < 𝑥 ≤ 2}. Prove sup 𝑇 = 2 and inf 𝑇 = – 2.

CHALLENGE PROBLEM
13. Let 𝑉 = {𝑥 ∈ 𝐹 | 𝑥 2 < 2} and let 𝑎 = sup 𝑉. Prove that 𝑎2 = 2.