Math 2.0

Field theory and polynomials Proof

Proof of the Archimedean property in an Archimedean ordered field

Builds on Archimedean ordered fieldOrdered field

Proof

  1. Let FF be an Archimedean ordered field and let x∈Fx \in F.
  2. First, 0≤10 \le 1 in FF. The order is total, so 0≤10 \le 1 or 1≤01 \le 0.
  3. If 1≤01 \le 0, add −1-1 to both sides, using the first axiom of an ordered field. This gives 0≤−10 \le -1.
  4. Then the second axiom gives 0≤(−1)(−1)=10 \le (-1)(-1) = 1. So 0≤10 \le 1 in both cases.
  5. In a field 1≠01 \ne 0. Hence 0<10 < 1.
  6. Apply the definition of an Archimedean field with y=1y = 1. It gives a natural number nn with n⋅1>xn \cdot 1 > x.
  7. Here n⋅1=1+⋯+1n \cdot 1 = 1 + \dots + 1, with nn terms, is the element nn of FF. So x<nx < n.

Idea

The definition says that copies of any positive yy add up past any xx. Taking y=1y = 1, which is positive in each ordered field, gives the claim.

Reading path

To understand this page from the ground up, read these 3 pages in order. The foundations come first.

Show the path as a graph
Each page uses the pages above it. The colour of the bar on a box shows how strong the evidence is, and the box also gives it as text. The list has the same pages.
  • no evidence level
  1. Ordered field definition
  2. Archimedean ordered field definition
  3. Proof of the Archimedean property in an Archimedean ordered field proof

Where this leads

1180 pages build on this one.

Further reading

  1. Web https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archimedean_property, Ordered fields
About this page
TagRCMSYW1KBX
URIm2://RCMSYW1KBX
Kindproof
WritingW0 stub
MSC12J15
ProvesArchimedean property
UsesArchimedean ordered field, Ordered field
Changed4 November 2026

Markdown · JSON · Edit on GitHub

What this page needs for W1

  • an inventory row: the row of the inventory that the node accounts for (0 of 1)

The writing levels say how complete the text of a page is. They do not measure its truth.

What links here

No page links to this page yet.