Solution
ID: past-exam-of-the-mathematics-course-of-the-university-of-cambridge/2016/ib/paper-1/12e/solution
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2016 ib Paper 1 12E Solution by
Codex 0 Created 2026-09-24 Updated 2026-10-06
For write , where and neither integer nor integer is divisible by . Define the P-adic valuation and the p-adic absolute value , with . The p-adic metric isFactoring out the smaller power of from two rational numbers shows , with the usual convention . Consequently the ultrametric inequality givesTogether with symmetry, positivity and separation of points, this verifies that is a metric.
For the given geometric partial sums, use the finite geometric series identity. Since does not divide ,Thus the limit is the rational number , even though the partial sums diverge in the ordinary real metric.
If , the ultrametric inequality gives . Applying it to gives . Since , this forces . Interchanging handles the other unequal case, provingFinally, let be outside the open ball , so . If , the preceding unequal-norm identity gives . Therefore also lies outside . Its complement is open, so every p-adic open ball is also closed, that is, a clopen set.
New to topics? Read the docs here!