# Equivalence of Definitions of Maximal Element

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## Theorem

Let $\left({S, \preceq}\right)$ be an ordered set.

Let $T \subseteq S$ be a subset of $S$.

The following definitions of the concept of Maximal Element are equivalent:

### Definition 1

An element $x \in T$ is a maximal element of $T$ if and only if:

$x \preceq y \implies x = y$

That is, the only element of $S$ that $x$ precedes or is equal to is itself.

### Definition 2

An element $x \in T$ is a maximal element of $T$ if and only if:

$\neg \exists y \in T: x \prec y$

where $x \prec y$ denotes that $x \preceq y \land x \ne y$.

That is, if and only if $x$ has no strict successor.

## Proof

### Definition 1 implies Definition 2

Let $x$ be an maximal element by definition 1.

That is:

$(1): \quad \forall y \in T: x \preceq y \implies x = y$

Aiming for a contradiction, suppose that:

$\exists y \in T: x \prec y$

Then by definition:

$x \preceq y \land x \ne y$

which contradicts $(1)$.

Thus by Proof by Contradiction:

$\nexists y \in T: x \prec y$

That is $x$ is a maximal element by definition 2.

$\Box$

### Definition 2 implies Definition 1

Let $x$ be a maximal element by definition 2.

That is:

$(2): \quad \nexists y \in T: x \prec y$

Aiming for a contradiction, suppose that:

$\exists y \in T: x \preceq y: x \ne y$

That is:

$\exists y \in T: x \prec y$

which contradicts $(2)$.

Thus:

$\forall y \in T: x \preceq y \implies x = y$

Thus $x$ is a maximal element by definition 1.

$\blacksquare$