If every sequence of distinct elements of a positive-real set has arithmetic averages tending to zero, then is a countable set. For each positive integer , the threshold set must be finite: an infinite sequence inside it would have averages at least . The Archimedean property makes their union, so the countable union of countable sets theorem applies. The hypothesis concerns every distinct-element sequence, not merely one enumeration.
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2003 ia Paper 1 9F Solution Created 2026-09-24 Updated 2026-09-24
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2017 ia Paper 4 6D d Solution Created 2026-09-24 Updated 2026-10-05
For each positive integer , consider the threshold set . If it were infinite, one could choose recursively a sequence of distinct elements from it. Every arithmetic average of that sequence would be at least , contradicting the assumed limit zero. Hence every is a finite set.
Every positive real number exceeds for some , by the Archimedean property. ThereforeA countable union of countable sets is countable, so . In fact, under the stipulated infinitude, is a countably infinite set. Positivity matters: it ensures that these thresholds cover . This is countability from vanishing averages of distinct sequences; ordinary Cesaro convergence of a sequence of one chosen enumeration would not suffice to control the whole set.