Topology of the Reals: Combining Unions into Single Intervals

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In summary, the conversation is about finding the interior, boundary, accumulation, and isolated points of given sets in the normal topology of the reals. The participants discuss the correct answers for sets (a), (b), and (c), where (c) is initially determined to have an empty interior and a boundary of [0, √2]. However, upon further examination, it is discovered that (c) has no interior points, making each point both a boundary and an isolated point, leading to a contradiction. The correct answers for all three sets are eventually determined.
  • #1
Shackleford
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Can I simply combine the unions into a single interval like I did in (a)? The closed interval [1,4] fills in the (3) hole from (0,3), etc. I did something similar in (b).

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n149/camarolt4z28/IMG_20110906_221620.jpg

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n149/camarolt4z28/IMG_20110906_221628.jpg

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n149/camarolt4z28/IMG_20110906_221635.jpg
 
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  • #2
Yeah, I just want to make sure my answers are correct.

I have the correct interior, boundary, accumulation, and isolated points for (a), (b), and (c)? I didn't have any isolated points.
 
  • #3
sorry its not exactly clear what you're attempting?

also it would probably be quicker to type these, that way I could cut and paste as well - and I'm lazy

you need to find the
- int = interior?
- bd = boundary?
- Sbar = closure?

of teh given set based on the "normal" topology of the reals?
 
  • #4
Shackleford said:
Yeah, I just want to make sure my answers are correct.

I have the correct interior, boundary, accumulation, and isolated points for (a), (b), and (c)? I didn't have any isolated points.

ok what's accumulation? is that accumulation points, so all limit points or the closure of S?
 
  • #5
ok, so starting again a) looks good
 
  • #6
b) also
 
  • #7
They look right.

Took me a while to decide on (c). The thread title helped.

I assume it's the Euclidean (usual) Topology on the reals.
 
  • #8
c) not so much

for this case, the interior is not the open interval as S does not contain irrational numbers...

i think the closure and boundary are ok as S is dense in the reals and also in (0, sqrt(2))

now what is your definition of isolated?
 
  • #9
SammyS said:
They look right.

Took me a while to decide on (c). The thread title helped.

I assume it's the Euclidean (usual) Topology on the reals.
I am in error regarding (c).

No neighborhood of any point in S is contained in S.
 
  • #10
Yeah, for (c), I wasn't sure because you have rationals and irrationals mixed in the set. Could I set the interior points to be open interval minus the irrational numbers? Maybe I could do the open interval intersect with the rationals.

An isolated point is a point that's in S but not an accumulation point.
 
  • #11
the way i read it, there's only rationals in S

for the interior how about just S? there's nothing to say it can't equal its interior (unless you can find an issue)

i think the rest is ok
 
  • #12
For (c):

Any open set that contains a point of S, also contains points not in S, so it is not a subset of S.

It seems to me that the interior of S is empty.
 
  • #13
for (c): the interior of S is empty, the boundary of S is [itex][0,\sqrt{2}][/itex]. Can you figure out why?
 
  • #14
yep agree
 
  • #15
micromass said:
for (c): the interior of S is empty, the boundary of S is [itex][0,\sqrt{2}][/itex]. Can you figure out why?

Well, for each rational point in the interval, you can find irrational numbers in every neighborhood, and so the intersection with the rationals and irrationals (S and S-complement) is always nonempty.

Every point is either an interior or boundary point, and since every point in S is a boundary point, that means int S equals the empty set.

By the same reasoning, each boundary point [itex][0,\sqrt{2}][/itex] is also an accumulation point. You can always find rationals in all of your deleted neighborhoods. Since there are no interior points, each point is an isolated point. But that is contradictory.
 
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  • #16
I'm reasonably confident these answers are correct.

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n149/camarolt4z28/IMG_20110911_113312.jpg
http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n149/camarolt4z28/IMG_20110911_113318.jpg
http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n149/camarolt4z28/IMG_20110911_113323.jpg
 
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What is the Topology of the Reals?

The Topology of the Reals is the mathematical study of the properties and relationships between real numbers. It is a branch of mathematics that deals with the structure and behavior of continuous spaces, such as the real number line.

Why is the Topology of the Reals important?

The Topology of the Reals is important because it provides a framework for understanding and analyzing the properties of real numbers and their relationships. It also has applications in various fields, such as physics, engineering, and economics.

What are some key concepts in the Topology of the Reals?

Some key concepts in the Topology of the Reals include open and closed sets, continuity, compactness, and connectedness. These concepts help to define the structure and behavior of real numbers and their relationships.

How is the Topology of the Reals different from other branches of mathematics?

The Topology of the Reals is different from other branches of mathematics in that it focuses on the study of continuous spaces, rather than discrete objects. It also uses techniques such as topological spaces and continuous functions to analyze the properties of real numbers, rather than algebraic methods.

What are some real-world applications of the Topology of the Reals?

The Topology of the Reals has many real-world applications, such as in physics for understanding the behavior of physical systems, in economics for modeling financial markets, and in computer science for data analysis and optimization. It is also used in various other fields such as engineering, biology, and chemistry.

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