The three axioms for an order relation are (see page 20 of Apostol):
- If
and
are in
, so are
and
.
- For every real
, either
or
, but not both.
-
.
Prove that the complex number system cannot be equipped with an ordering relation satisfying all of these axioms.
Proof. Suppose otherwise, that such an ordering exists. Denote the positive complex numbers by . Then, since
, we must have either
or
, but not both by the second axiom.
But, if then
(since the product of positive elements must also be positive by applying the first axiom twice). Since
this is a contradiction; therefore,
.
Similarly, if then
which is also a contradiction since
. Hence, there can be no such ordering