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How is the category of real numbers defined using the order relation ≤\le?

The category R\mathbb{R} is defined as a poset category where the objects are real numbers, and there is a morphism x→yx \to y exactly when x≤yx \le y. This means the morphisms encode the ordinary order relation on the real numbers.

Conditions

  • Objects are real numbers.
  • A morphism x→yx\to y exists precisely when x≤yx\le y.

Reasoning, step by step

  1. Define the objects of the category as the set of real numbers.
  2. Define the morphisms using the order relation: a morphism from xx to yy exists if and only if x≤yx \le y.
  3. Note that this makes the category asymmetric; for example, there is a morphism from 3 to 4, but not from 4 to 3.

Example

The board defines R\mathbb{R} with objects the reals and morphisms x→yx \to y when x≤yx \le y. The lecturer says, “there's a morphism from 3 to 4 because 3 is less than or equal to 4, but there's no morphism from 4 to 3.”

Common misconceptions

  • Thinking that morphisms should exist in both directions for comparable numbers.
  • Assuming that the category of real numbers has standard algebraic operations as morphisms.

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