Is every point of every closed set E subset of R^2 a limit point of E?

In summary, the conversation discusses whether every point in a closed set E is a limit point of E, using an example of a circle with a given radius. One person argues that the set E does contain all limit points, while another provides a counter-example of a point outside the set that is not a limit point. Ultimately, the concept of "isolated point" is brought up and discussed in relation to E being a closed set.
  • #1
rumjum
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Homework Statement



If E is subset of R^2, then is every point of every closed set E, a limit point of E?

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



I think the answer is yes. Consider E = { (x,y) | x^2 + y^2 <= r^2} , where r is the radius.

Consider a point p that belongs to E, then p shall be a limit point if

the intersection of Ne(p) ( that is neiborhood of "p" with "e" as radius) and set E has another point "q", such that p and q are not the same.

Now, we know that the Ne(p) = circle with radius "e" around "p". Since "p" is an internal point the intersection of this circle with that of E, (another circle) shall have several points other than "p". Hence, all points in E are limit points.

any comments? Thanks.
 
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  • #2
One example does not a proof make!

But one counter-example does. Consider the set
{[itex](x,y)| x^2+ y^2\le r[/itex]}[itex]\cup[/itex] {[itex](0, r+1)[/itex]}

Is (0, r+1) a limit point of that set?

Look up "isolated point" in your textbook.
 
  • #3
HallsofIvy said:
One example does not a proof make!


What does that mean?

HallsofIvy said:
But one counter-example does. Consider the set
{[itex](x,y)| x^2+ y^2\le r[/itex]}[itex]\cup[/itex] {[itex](0, r+1)[/itex]}

Is (0, r+1) a limit point of that set?

Look up "isolated point" in your textbook.

(0,r+1) lies outside the set E. So, we can find points in the neighborhood of (0,r+1) such that the intersection with E is null. If I understand you correctly, you are saying that since the points outside E are not limit points and E is a closed set, so points of E need to be limit points. Or E should not have any limit point to be a closed set. And so on...
 
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1. What is a closed set in mathematics?

A closed set in mathematics is a set that contains all of its limit points. This means that every point within the set is either an interior point or a boundary point.

2. What is a limit point?

A limit point is a point that can be approached arbitrarily closely by points within a given set. In other words, for any given distance, there exists a point within the set that is within that distance from the limit point.

3. Is every point in a closed set a limit point?

No, not necessarily. A closed set may contain both interior points and boundary points, and only the boundary points are considered limit points.

4. Why is the concept of limit points important in mathematics?

The concept of limit points is important because it allows us to define and understand the boundary of a set. It also plays a crucial role in the definition of continuity and convergence in analysis.

5. How does the concept of limit points apply to closed sets in R^2?

In R^2, closed sets are defined as sets that contain all of their limit points. Therefore, every point in a closed set in R^2 is a limit point of that set. This is because in two-dimensional space, the boundary of a set is made up of all points that are not completely surrounded by the set, and these points are by definition limit points.

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