if n is interesting, n+1 is either interesting or not interesting.
– If n+1 is not interesting, we take interest in it as it it the smallest non-interesting number.
Let S be the subset of natural numbers that are not interesting. Suppose by way of contradiction that S is inhabited. Then by the well ordering principle of natural numbers, there is a least such element, s in S. In virtue of being the least non interesting number, s is in fact interesting. Hence s is not in S. Since s is in S and not in S, we have derived a contradiction. Therefore our assumption that S is inhabited must be false. Thus S is empty and there are no non interesting numbers.
What about 31? That’s the smallest non-interesting number so if we take that as the first n, then every n+1 is either interesting or the second-smallest non-interesting number, and the second smallest non-interesting number is still not interesting.
Theorem - All numbers are interesting
Demonstration:
– If n+1 is not interesting, we take interest in it as it it the smallest non-interesting number.
By induction, all numbers are interesting
My favorite version of this proof:
Let S be the subset of natural numbers that are not interesting. Suppose by way of contradiction that S is inhabited. Then by the well ordering principle of natural numbers, there is a least such element, s in S. In virtue of being the least non interesting number, s is in fact interesting. Hence s is not in S. Since s is in S and not in S, we have derived a contradiction. Therefore our assumption that S is inhabited must be false. Thus S is empty and there are no non interesting numbers.
Counterproof:
n+1 is not the smallest non-interesting number… n-1 is.
What about 31? That’s the smallest non-interesting number so if we take that as the first n, then every n+1 is either interesting or the second-smallest non-interesting number, and the second smallest non-interesting number is still not interesting.
31 is prime, that’s interesting isn’t it?
what about the real, non-rational numbers?