Infinite Increasing Subsequences
If (, ≤) is wqo then every infinite sequence, … contains an infinite increasing subsequence ≤≤≤… (with <<<…). Such a subsequence is sometimes called perfect. This can be proved by a Ramsey argument: given some sequence, consider the set of indexes such that has no larger or equal to its right, i.e., with . If is infinite, then the -extracted subsequence contradicts the assumption that is wqo. So is finite, and any with larger than any index in can be used as the starting point of an infinite increasing subsequence.
The existence of such infinite increasing subsequences is sometimes taken as a definition for well-quasi-ordering, leading to an equivalent notion.
Read more about this topic: Well-quasi-ordering
Famous quotes containing the words infinite and/or increasing:
“In nature’s infinite book of secrecy
A little I can read.”
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616)
“Th’ increasing prospect tires our wand’ring eyes.
Hills peep o’er hills, and Alps on Alps arise!
A perfect Judge will read each work of Wit
With the same spirit that its author writ:
Survey the Whole, nor seek slight faults to find
Where nature moves, and rapture warms the mind;”
—Alexander Pope (1688–1744)