6
$\begingroup$

I'm trying to prove Bolzano-Weierstrass Theorem to the complex case, i.e., if $(z_n)$ a complex sequence is bounded, then there is a subsequence of $z_n$ which converges.

I'm trying to use the real case of the Bolzano-Weierstrass theorem to prove the complex case without success. I need help.

Thanks

$\endgroup$
3
  • $\begingroup$ Perhaps first prove the theorem for $\mathbb R^2$. $\endgroup$
    – GEdgar
    Commented Apr 24, 2015 at 20:32
  • $\begingroup$ The theorem states that: any sequence on a compact space has a convergent subsequence, compactness can be found here maths.kisogo.com/index.php?title=Compactness - so there is no "complex case", closed and bounded => compact in a real space (and you can identify $\mathbb{C}$ naturally with $\mathbb{R^2}$). $\endgroup$
    – Alec Teal
    Commented Apr 24, 2015 at 20:36
  • 2
    $\begingroup$ @AlecTeal: we can probably assume that the op has only seen a proof in the case of $\Bbb R$. $\endgroup$ Commented Apr 24, 2015 at 20:40

3 Answers 3

14
$\begingroup$

If the sequence $(z_n)$ is bounded, then so is $(\Re(z_n))$. Thus there exists a subsequence of $(z_n)$ for which the real part converges. Let's call this sequence $(w_n)$. As $(w_n)$ is a subsequence of $(z_n)$, it is also bounded, and thus $(\Im(w_n))$ is bounded, so we can find a subsequence of $(w_n)$ for which the imaginary part converges. Thus we have found a subsequence of $(z_n)$ for which both the real and the imaginary parts converge.

$\endgroup$
3
$\begingroup$

HINT: Whether you write $z_n=x_n+iy_n$ or $z_n=r_ne^{i\theta_n}$, your problem boils down to showing that if $\langle a_n:n\in\Bbb N\rangle$ and $\langle b_n:n\in\Bbb N\rangle$ are bounded sequences of real numbers, then there is a strictly increasing sequence $\langle n_k:k\in\Bbb N\rangle$ in $\Bbb N$ such that $\langle a_{n_k}:k\in\Bbb N\rangle$ and $\langle b_{n_k}:k\in\Bbb N\rangle$ are both convergent. Do it one sequence at a time. First get a convergent subsequence of $\langle a_n:n\in\Bbb N\rangle$, then get a convergent subsequence of the corresponding subsequence of $\langle b_n:n\in\Bbb N\rangle$.

$\endgroup$
1
$\begingroup$

You could use BW a first time to extract a converging sub sequence of $\Re(z_n)$ and then a second time on $\Im(z_n)$ (you need to figure out how to make both converge together)

$\endgroup$

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .