In the mathematical field of order theory, a continuum or linear continuum is a generalization of the real line.
Formally, a linear continuum is a linearly ordered set S of more than one element that is densely ordered, i.e., between any two members there is another, and which "lacks gaps" in the sense that every non-empty subset with an upper bound has a least upper bound. More symbolically:
a) S has the least-upper-bound property
b) For each x in S and each y in S with x < y, there exists z in S such that x < z < y
A set has the least upper bound property, if every nonempty subset of the set that is bounded above has a least upper bound. Linear continua are particularly important in the field of topology where they can be used to verify whether an ordered set given the order topology is connected or not.
Read more about Linear Continuum: Examples, Non-examples, Topological Properties
Famous quotes containing the word continuum:
“The further jazz moves away from the stark blue continuum and the collective realities of Afro-American and American life, the more it moves into academic concert-hall lifelessness, which can be replicated by any middle class showing off its music lessons.”
—Imamu Amiri Baraka (b. 1934)