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Mathematics

Constructing the Real Numbers via Dedekind Cuts

Quick fact

Dedekind cuts rigorously construct all real numbers from rationals by partitioning them into two sets. For example, the cut defined by {q ∈ ℚ : q < 0 or q² < 2} uniquely identifies the irrational number √2.

Why this is interesting

You know √2 is a number—but where does it actually live? The rational line has a gap where it should be, and Dedekind cuts are the mathematical trick that fills that gap.