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Single Idea 13528

[from 'works' by George Cantor, in 6. Mathematics / A. Nature of Mathematics / 5. The Infinite / g. Continuum Hypothesis ]

Full Idea

Cantor's conjecture (the Continuum Hypothesis) is that there are no sets between N and P(N). The 'generalized' version replaces N with an arbitrary infinite set.

Clarification

'N' is the natural numbers, and 'P(N)' is their power set

Gist of Idea

Continuum Hypothesis: there are no sets between N and P(N)

Source

report of George Cantor (works [1880]) by Robert S. Wolf - A Tour through Mathematical Logic 2.2

Book Reference

Wolf,Robert S.: 'A Tour Through Mathematical Logic' [Carus Maths Monographs 2005], p.67


A Reaction

The initial impression is that there is a single gap in the numbers, like a hole in ozone layer, but the generalised version implies an infinity of gaps. How can there be gaps in the numbers? Weird.