Hyperfinite set

From HandWiki
Short description: Type of internal set in nonstandard analysis

In nonstandard analysis, a branch of mathematics, a hyperfinite set or *-finite set is a type of internal set. An internal set H of internal cardinality g ∈ *N (the hypernaturals) is hyperfinite if and only if there exists an internal bijection between G = {1,2,3,...,g} and H.[1][2] Hyperfinite sets share the properties of finite sets: A hyperfinite set has minimal and maximal elements, and a hyperfinite union of a hyperfinite collection of hyperfinite sets may be derived. The sum of the elements of any hyperfinite subset of *R always exists, leading to the possibility of well-defined integration.[2]

Hyperfinite sets can be used to approximate other sets. If a hyperfinite set approximates an interval, it is called a near interval with respect to that interval. Consider a hyperfinite set [math]\displaystyle{ K = {k_1,k_2, \dots ,k_n} }[/math] with a hypernatural n. K is a near interval for [a,b] if k1 = a and kn = b, and if the difference between successive elements of K is infinitesimal. Phrased otherwise, the requirement is that for every r ∈ [a,b] there is a kiK such that kir. This, for example, allows for an approximation to the unit circle, considered as the set [math]\displaystyle{ e^{i\theta} }[/math] for θ in the interval [0,2π].[2]

In general, subsets of hyperfinite sets are not hyperfinite, often because they do not contain the extreme elements of the parent set.[3]

Ultrapower construction

In terms of the ultrapower construction, the hyperreal line *R is defined as the collection of equivalence classes of sequences [math]\displaystyle{ \langle u_n, n=1,2,\ldots \rangle }[/math] of real numbers un. Namely, the equivalence class defines a hyperreal, denoted [math]\displaystyle{ [u_n] }[/math] in Goldblatt's notation. Similarly, an arbitrary hyperfinite set in *R is of the form [math]\displaystyle{ [A_n] }[/math], and is defined by a sequence [math]\displaystyle{ \langle A_n \rangle }[/math] of finite sets [math]\displaystyle{ A_n \subseteq \mathbb{R}, n=1,2,\ldots }[/math][4]

References

External links