# Prove that sequence space $\ell_p(\mathbb R)$ is separable

Problem:

Prove that metric space $\left \langle \ell_p(\mathbb R), d_p(x,y)=(\sum_{i=1}^{\infty} |x_i|^p)^\frac{1}{p} \right \rangle$ is separable. Where $\ell_p(\mathbb R)=\left \{ (x_1,x_2,...,x_n,...):\sum_{i=1}^{\infty} |x_i|^p<\infty, p>1, x_i \in \mathbb R \right \}$

To show separability I need to find countable everywhere dense subset. I've already proved (with similar approach) that $\ell_p(\mathbb Q)$ is everywhere dense. However, I can't find a way to show $\ell_p(\mathbb Q)$ is countable.

• I don't think $\ell_p(\mathbb Q)$ is countable. – Tunococ Sep 8 '13 at 12:28

To elaborate on above answer, let $$M$$ be the set of all sequences $$(r_{0}, \ldots, r_{n}, 0,\ldots)$$ with $$r_{i}$$ being rational and $$n \in \mathbb{N}$$. (This is the set of sequences with finite support and rational entries).

Since $$\mathbb{Q}$$ is countable and finite product of countable sets is countable and then countable union of countable sets is countable, we see that $$M$$ is countable.

Now let us see that $$M$$ is dense in $$\ell_{p}(\mathbb{R})$$. To do this, given any $$x = (x_{n}) \in \ell_{p}(\mathbb{R})$$, and for $$\epsilon > 0$$ we must find an element $$y \in M$$ such that $$d(x,y) <\epsilon$$. We have

$$\sum\limits_{n=0}^{\infty} |x_{n}|^{p} < \infty$$

Hence, given $$\epsilon > 0$$, there exists $$m \in \mathbb{N}$$ such that

$$\sum\limits_{n=m+1}^{\infty} |x_{n}|^{p} < \epsilon/2$$

Now for $$0\leq i \leq m$$, choose $$r_{i} \in \mathbb{Q}$$ such that $$|r_{i} - x_{i}| < \left(\frac{\epsilon}{2m}\right)^{\frac{1}{p}}$$ (using that the rationals are dense in reals).

Then the element $$y = (r_{0}, r_{1}, \ldots, r_{m}, 0, 0, \ldots) \in M$$ is the required element.

• Indeed! Thank you. – Vishal Gupta Apr 9 '20 at 4:07

The sequences with finite support and rational entries are dense in $\ell_p(\mathbb R)$ for each $1\leqslant p\lt \infty$ (we can make the remainder of the series as small as we wish).