Suppose $R$ is a partial order on a set $A$. Prove that every finite, nonempty set $B ⊆ A$ has an $R$-minimal element.

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Proposition:

Suppose $R$ is a partial order on a set $A$. Prove that every finite, nonempty set $B ⊆ A$ has an $R$-minimal element.

My attempt:

Notation:

If $A$ is a set and $A = \{3,5\}$, then its cardinality will be denoted as

$$|A| = 2 $$

By induction.

Base case:

Suppose $B \subseteq A$ and $|B| = 1$. Then clearly, the only element $B$ has will also be its minimal element.

Induction step:

Take some $B' \subseteq A$, such that $|B'| = n$, and $B'$ has a minimal element, say $c$.

Take $z \in A$ such that $z \notin B'$ and let $B = B' \cup \{z\}$.

  1. If $cRz$, then minimal element of $B$ will be $c$

  2. Suppose $zRc$. Suppose exists $a \in B'$ such that $aRz$. Then by transitivity we have $aRc$. Since $c$ is minimal element, $a = c$. Then it follows that $cRz$ and $z = c$, but this is impossible. Hence provided that $zRc$, $z$ will be the minimal element of $B$.

  3. If $\lnot cRz$ and $\lnot zRc$, then $c$ will be the minimal element of $B$.

$\Box$

Is it correct?