Natural Numbers cannot be Elements of Each Other
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Theorem
Let $m$ and $n$ be natural numbers.
Then it cannot be the case that both $m \in n$ and $n \in m$.
Proof
Aiming for a contradiction, suppose both $m \in n$ and $n \in m$.
We have $m \in n$
From Natural Number is Transitive Set:
- $m \subseteq n$
by definition of transitive.
Thus:
- $n \in m \subseteq n$
and so:
- $n \in n$
But from Natural Number is Ordinary Set:
- $n \notin n$
The result follows by Proof by Contradiction.
$\blacksquare$
Sources
- 2010: Raymond M. Smullyan and Melvin Fitting: Set Theory and the Continuum Problem (revised ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): Chapter $3$: The Natural Numbers: $\S 3$ Derivation of the Peano postulates and other results: Theorem $3.3$