Answer the following for the poset ({2, 4, 6, 9, …

Mathematics Questions

Answer these questions for the poset ({2, 4, 6, 9, 12, 18, 27, 36, 48, 60, 72}, |). a) Find the maximal elements. b) Find the minimal elements. c) Is there a greatest element? d) Is there a least element? e) Find all upper bounds of {2, 9}. f ) Find the least upper bound of {2, 9}, if it exists. g) Find all lower bounds of {60, 72}.

Short Answer

In the poset, the maximal elements identified are 27, 48, 60, and 72, while the minimal elements are 2 and 9. Upper bounds of the set {2, 9} include 18, 36, and 72, with 18 being the least bound, and the lower bounds of {60, 72} are 2, 4, 6, and 12. Notably, there is no greatest or least element in this poset, which is significant for analyzing weak orderings.

Step-by-Step Solution

Step 1: Identify Maximal and Minimal Elements

In a poset, maximal elements are those that are not less than any other element. For this specific case, the maximal elements are:

  • 27
  • 48
  • 60
  • 72

On the other hand, minimal elements do not exceed any other elements. The minimal elements identified here are:

  • 2
  • 9

Step 2: Understand Boundaries in the Set

Bounds provide important relationships among elements in a poset. Notably, there are several types of bounds based on the sets provided:

  • Upper bounds of {2, 9} include: 18, 36, and 72.
  • Least bound of {2, 9} is identified as: 18.
  • Lower bounds of {60, 72} consist of: 2, 4, 6, and 12.

Step 3: Recognition of Existence of Greatest and Least Elements

In certain posets, there may not be definitive greatest or least elements. In this particular case:

  • There is no greatest element, meaning no single element is greater than all others.
  • Additionally, there is no least element, indicating that no element is less than all others.

This lack of defining elements is an important characteristic when analyzing weak orderings in posets.

Related Concepts

Maximal Elements

Elements in a poset that are not less than any other element

Minimal Elements

Elements in a poset that do not exceed any other elements

Bounds

Relationships among elements in a poset that include upper bounds, lower bounds, least bounds, and greatest bounds.

Scroll to Top