A subset in R^n is bounded if and only if it is totally bounded.

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SUMMARY

A subset in R^n is bounded if and only if it is totally bounded. A set A is bounded if there exists a point b in R^n such that the distance d(x,b) is less than or equal to a constant K for every x in A. Conversely, A is totally bounded if for every ε > 0, a finite number of open balls with radius ε can cover A. The proof for the implication from totally bounded to bounded is established, while the reverse requires demonstrating that a bounded set can be covered by a finite number of balls.

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  • Understanding of metric spaces and distance functions in R^n
  • Familiarity with the concepts of boundedness and total boundedness
  • Knowledge of open balls and their properties in topology
  • Basic understanding of supremum and dense sets in real analysis
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  • Study the properties of metric spaces, focusing on bounded and totally bounded sets
  • Learn about the construction and implications of open balls in R^n
  • Explore the concept of dense subsets, particularly in relation to rational numbers in R^n
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Mathematics students, particularly those studying real analysis or topology, as well as educators seeking to deepen their understanding of boundedness in metric spaces.

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Homework Statement


Prove that a subset in R^n, where n is a finite number, is bounded if and only if it is totally bounded.

Homework Equations


If A is the subset, A is bounded if there is a point b in R^n such that d(x,b)<= K, for a every x in A.

A is totally bounded if for every e> 0, there is a finite number of ball with radius e, that covers A.

The Attempt at a Solution



totally bounded -> bounded

Chose a number e, there is a finite number P of open balls that cover A, each with radius e.
Chose an element b in A. s=sup{d(b,l): l is the center of the balls} must exist since we only have finite amount of balls. Then the max distance from b to another point in A is s+e, and hence A is bounded.
Is this proof correct for this implication?

bounded -> totally bounded
There is an element in R^n such that for any element x in A d(x,b) <= K, for a real number K.
I do not see how to proceed here?
Since Q^n is dense I guess that if we make balls with radius epsilon around every element in R^n that is rational we have a countable number of balls that cover A?, then the problem is to reduce it to a finite number of balls?
 
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bobby2k said:
bounded -> totally bounded
There is an element in R^n such that for any element x in A d(x,b) <= K, for a real number K.
I do not see how to proceed here?
Since Q^n is dense I guess that if we make balls with radius epsilon around every element in R^n that is rational we have a countable number of balls that cover A?, then the problem is to reduce it to a finite number of balls?
I like your thinking, simply because it shows you're actually thinking about this, but I don't think that will work.

Since ##A## is bounded, can we make ##A\subseteq B_K##, where ##B_K=\{x\in\mathbb{R}^n:d(b,x)\leq K\}##?
 

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