Concept

Why is the cardinality of the rational numbers equal to that of the natural numbers?

Stephen Davies, Ph.D. Version 2.2.2 Through Discrete Mathematics A Cool Brisk Walk / Chapter 1

"Once you’ve digested this, I’ll spring another shocking truth on you: | Q | is actually equal to | N | , not greater than it as | R | is. Cantor came up with an ingenious numbering scheme whereby all the rational numbers — including 3, − 9 , 4 17 , and − 1517 29 — can be listed off regularly, in order, just like the integers can. And so | Q | = | N | 6 = | R | . This kind of stuff can blow your mind."

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Why is the cardinality of the rational numbers equal to that of the natural numbers? | Stephen Davies, Ph.D. Version 2.2.2 Through Discrete Mathematics A Cool Brisk Walk | Bifalgorithm | Bifalgorithm