[Math] Subsequence and Accumulation Point Proof

analysisreal-analysis

Suppose x is an accumulation point of {$a_n : n \in J$}. Show that there is a subsequence of
{${a_n : n \in J}$}$_{n=1}^\infty$ that converges to x.

I understand the general idea behind the problem that if you take a neighborhood (x – $\epsilon$, x + $\epsilon$) and examine an area of that neighborhood from (x – $\epsilon$, x) with x being the supremum, as well as the accumulation point of the original set, there will be infinitely points in that interval converging to x. I'm just not sure how to define the necessary subsequence.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Best Answer

Instead of picking a single neighborhood of $x$ and looking for infinitely many points in that single neighborhood, try to build a sequence of neighborhoods with shrinking radii, choosing a single point from the set in each of the neighborhoods. Since $x$ is an accumulation point, you can do that. And since the radii are shrinking these points will converge to $x$.

For each $n$ you take a neighborhood centered at $x$ with radius $1/n$. That's your sequence of neighborhoods with shrinking radii.