Quantum entropy and cardinality of the rational numbers (2509.12972v1)

Abstract: We compare two methods for evaluating cardinality of the Cartesian product $N \times N$ of the set of natural numbers $N$. The first is used to explain the thermodynamics of black body radiation by using convergent functions on $N \times N$. Cardinality of $N \times N$ enters through the partition function that acts as the normalization constant of a probability distribution over $N \times N$. Here, $N \times N$ is given a greater cardinality than $N$. The expression of the partition function and, hence, the cardinality of $N \times N$ can be verified experimentally by using the internal energy and quantum entropy. The second method is used in analysis and topology to count the rational numbers by using divergent functions on $N \times N$. Here, $N \times N$ is not given a greater cardinality than that of $N$. In this article, we will show that the experimentally confirmed first approach is mathematically more consistent, provides an actual act of counting to find the cardinality of $N \times N$ and gives a quantitative measure of the cardinality of $N \times N$ relative to that of $N$. Similar arguments will show that the set of rational numbers is not countable. This article indicates that the \textit{axiom of choice} could be a better technique to prove theorems that require second-countability.