How can I define a function to show that $\{3^n\mid n\in\mathbb{Z}\}$ is countably infinite?

Question

I have to answer the following question for an assignment:

Is the set $A=\{3^{n}\mid n\in\mathbb{Z}\}$ finite, countably infinite, or uncountable?

I've defined what I originally thought to be a proper function rule showing a bijection from $\mathbb{N}$ to $A$, but I've since realized that I'm missing some elements in the codomain.

\begin{equation*} f:\mathbb{N}\to A:\left\{ \begin{array}{ll} n\mapsto 3^{n},&\text{if $n=2k-1$ for some $k\in\mathbb{N}$}\\ n\mapsto 3^{-n},&\text{if $n=2k$ for some $k\in\mathbb{N}$} \end{array}\right. \end{equation*}

Here, I noticed that I'm missing all the odd negative numbers and all the even positive numbers.

Is this even doable this way, or do I need to draw a diagram?

I'd much prefer to have a function definition if possible.

Answer 1

For every $n \in \mathbb Z$, there exists a unique $f(n) \in A$ as defined. That is, and for every number of the form $3^n$, there exists unique $n \in \mathbb Z$ such that $f(n) = 3^n$

The function is a bijection: one-to-one and onto. Hence there is a one-to-one correspondence between $A$ and $f(n) = 3^n, \;\;\forall n \in \mathbb Z$

Therefore: $\quad|A| = |\mathbb Z|$

We know $\mathbb Z$ is countably infinite, hence so must be $A$.

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We can also work to find a bijection between $A$ and $\mathbb{N}$, by adjusting your attempt just a bit:

You're definition, with a few adjustments, will work nicely for defining a bijection from $\mathbb{N}$ to $A$.

Consider

$$f:\mathbb{N}\to A: \begin{cases} {n\to 3^{\Large\frac{(n-1)}{2}}};& n=2k-1,& k\in\mathbb{N} \\ \\ { n\to 3^{\Large-\frac{n}{2}}}; & n=2k,& k\in\mathbb{N} \\ \\ \end{cases} $$

Therefore $|A| = |\mathbb N|$ which means since $\mathbb N$ is countably infinite, so must be set $A$.$\quad\square$

Answer 2

You're almost there. What if you tried \begin{equation*} f:\mathbb{N}\to A:\left\{ \begin{array}{ll} n\mapsto 3^{(n-1)/2},&\text{if $n=2k-1$ for some $k\in\mathbb{N}$}\\ n\mapsto 3^{-n/2},&\text{if $n=2k$ for some $k\in\mathbb{N}$} \end{array}\right. \end{equation*}

Answer 3

You have the right idea for a mapping in the other direction I think. The negatives to evens, and the positive to odds is a good idea. Consider this $f:A\to \mathbb N$ such that$$f(3^n)=\begin{cases} 2n+1, &n\geq0\\ -2n, &n<0 \end{cases}$$