The Bolzano-Weierstrass

Theorem

Presenter:
Aiza B. Genaniban
The Bolzano-Weierstrass Theorem

Every bounded sequence contains a

convergent subsequence.
The Bolzano-Weierstrass Theorem
Proof:
Let (an) be a bounded sequence.
Then there is such that I an I for all n N.
We will construct a convergent subsequence of (an) through a
bisection technique. Bisect the closed interval [-M,M] into the
closed interval [-M,0] and [0,M].
Notice the midpoint is included in both subintervals, but as
we see, this does not complicate things.
The Bolzano-Weierstrass Theorem

Since there are infinitely many an, one of the two

subintervals must contain infinitely many of them; label
this closed interval I1 and choose n1 so that an1 I1.

Now, bisect the closed interval I1 into two closed

subintervals that overlap at the midpoint.
The Bolzano-Weierstrass Theorem

Since there are infinitely many an for n>n1, one of the

two closed subintervals must contain infinitely many of
them; label this closed interval I2 and choose n1>n2 so
that an2 I2. Notice that I1 2.
We can repeat this step countably many times to
obtain a nested sequence of closed intervals
I1 I2 3 I4 …
and positive integers n1>n2>n3>n4>… such that anj Ij for
all j N by the Nested Interval Property.
The Bolzano-Weierstrass Theorem
Theorem:
There is at least one x R contained in every Ij.
Now the suspension is that this x is the limit of the
subsequences (an).
Let >0.
By the bisection technique, the length of Ij is M (J-1
which converges to 0. Choose J so that j J implies that
the length of Ij is less than .
The Bolzano-Weierstrass Theorem

Then as anj and x are both in the closed interval IJ of

the length less than , we have I an-x I < .
For all j J
This holds for all j J because of the nested property
of IJ and because anj converges to x.
The Bolzano-Weierstrass Theorem

Example 1:

1. S={1,-1,1,-1,1-1,…}
 The Bolzano-Weierstrass Theorem

Example 2:

Xn= for n N.
The sequence ,,,,,,… is a subsequence of (Xn). For
we take nk=2k then the sequence is (Xnk)= for
k=1,2,3,…
Cauchy Sequence

We say that a sequence of real numbers (an) is

a Cauchy sequence provided that for every Ɛ>0,
there is a natural number N so that when n,m ≥
N, we have that I an-am I < .
Cauchy Sequence

Example:
x:
x: n
1=1
2
3 …. Prove that the sequence is a Cauchy sequence.
The Squeeze Theorem

Given three sequences of a real numbers {an}, {bn}

and {cn}. If we know both converge to the same limit L
and we know that for each n we have
an cn bn ,
then the sequence {cn} also converges to the limit L.