Q. 1(b) Prove that the set of rational numbers is countably infinite.

(4 Marks)
Ans. :

 Proof: Observe that the set of rational numbers is defined by:

Q = {a/b: a, b ∈ Z, b≠0}

 In fact, every rational number r can be uniquely written in the form r = p / q where
p, q ∈ Z, q≠0, and p and q are relatively prime, that is, the greatest common divisor
of p and q is 1. For each rational number r ∈ Q we define a function f:Q→Z×Z
by:

f (r)=(p,q)

 Then by the observation made above, f is injective. Furthermore, since Z is countable

we have that Z×Z is countable by the theorem that the Cartesian Product of Two
Countable Sets is countable. Therefore f(Q) is countably infinite and so there exists a
bijection g : f(Q)→N.

 Note that the function h : Q → f(Q) defined by h(q) = f(q) is a bijection.

Therefore the composition g ∘ h: Q→N is a bijection. So Q is countably infinite.
Q. 7(a) Let R = { 0, 60, 120, 180, 240, 300 } And * = binary operation so that a and b in R,
a * b is overall angular rotation corresponding to successive rotations by a and then b. Show that (R ,
*) is a group. (6 Marks)
Ans. :
R = {0, 60, 120, 180, 240, 300}
(i) Closure property : a = 60, b = 180
then a * b = 60 + 180 = 240  R
(ii) Associative property :
a * (b * c) = (a * b) * c
120 * (180 * 60) = (120 * 180) * 60
360 = 360
0 = 0 Hence associative
(iii) Identify element :
a * 0 = a
120 * 0 = 120 Hence exist
(iv) Inverse element :
a * b = 0  0 * 0 = 0 or 60 * 300 = 300
So inverse of 0 is 0 and 60 is 300
Hence from i, ii, iii and iv (R, *) is a Group.