- #1
adam512
- 8
- 0
Hi!
I have a question regarding my solution to a problem in topology.
Problem: Show that if U is an open connected subset of ℝ2, then U is also path-connected.
Hint: Show that given any x0 in U, show that the set of points that can be joined to x0 by a path in U is both open and closed.
First of all, I know that since U is connected, the only sets which are both open and closed are ∅ and U itself. Therefore, if I can show that the set of points which can be joined to x0 by a path is indeed open and closed, and non-empty, it is U. But I am stuck, and think I found an alternative solution to this problem, not using the hint, and was wondering if it is correct or not.
My idea is this. Since U is an open subset of ℝ2, U can be written as a (possibly infinite) union of open balls Bn(x,ε), centered at x and with radius ε, positive, where x lies in U. And U is connected, which implies that given any ball, there is another ball with nonempty intersection. If it was empty, then U could be separated and hence not connected.
Now there is a path between any two pair of balls, which can be shown to imply that there is a path between any two points in the union of open balls.
It is very informal but do you guys think it could work? If not, any tips on how I find the set of all points in U connected to x0 by a path in U as the hint suggests?
Thanks in advance!
I have a question regarding my solution to a problem in topology.
Problem: Show that if U is an open connected subset of ℝ2, then U is also path-connected.
Hint: Show that given any x0 in U, show that the set of points that can be joined to x0 by a path in U is both open and closed.
First of all, I know that since U is connected, the only sets which are both open and closed are ∅ and U itself. Therefore, if I can show that the set of points which can be joined to x0 by a path is indeed open and closed, and non-empty, it is U. But I am stuck, and think I found an alternative solution to this problem, not using the hint, and was wondering if it is correct or not.
My idea is this. Since U is an open subset of ℝ2, U can be written as a (possibly infinite) union of open balls Bn(x,ε), centered at x and with radius ε, positive, where x lies in U. And U is connected, which implies that given any ball, there is another ball with nonempty intersection. If it was empty, then U could be separated and hence not connected.
Now there is a path between any two pair of balls, which can be shown to imply that there is a path between any two points in the union of open balls.
It is very informal but do you guys think it could work? If not, any tips on how I find the set of all points in U connected to x0 by a path in U as the hint suggests?
Thanks in advance!
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