Cauchy sequence
nounEtymology Named after French mathematician Augustin-Louis Cauchy (1789–1857), who made pioneering contributions to analysis.
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Mathematical analysis, Mathematics, Sciences Any sequence x_n in a metric space with metric d such that for every ϵ>0 there exists a natural number N such that for all k,m>N, d(x_k,x_m)<ϵ.
- However, it is possible to derive topological results from statements about Cauchy sequences; for example, a subset A of the space of real numbers is closed if and only if each Cauchy sequence in A converges to some point of A.1955, [Van Nostrand], John L. Kelley, General Topology, Springer, published 1975, page 174:
- In the case of the real line, every Cauchy sequence converges; that is, being a Cauchy sequence is sufficient to guarantee the existence of a limit. In the general case, however, this is not so. If a metric space does have the property that every Cauchy sequence converges, the space is called a complete metric space.2000, George Bachman, Lawrence Narici, Functional Analysis, page 52:
1 more example
- Cantor first redefined Cauchy sequences using rational numbers only.[…]Cantor's idea was to define the real number line as the collection of all (rational) Cauchy sequences.2012, David Applebaum, Limits, Limits Everywhere: The Tools of Mathematical Analysis, Oxford University Press, page 153:
- Derived terms
- Cauchy
- Related terms
- Cauchy convergence, Cauchy filter, Cauchy net, Cauchy space