1. Mar 25, 2012

jwqwerty

i have one simple question

if we a consider subsets of R^2 which are: a finite set and set of all integers,
then aren't a finite set and set of all integers not closed? For instance for set of all integers, it do not have any limit points. thus by definition of closed (E is closed if all limit points of E are points of E) the set is not closed. Or did i do something wrong?

2. Mar 25, 2012

Alesak

Yes, but the sequence which would converge to certain limit in E point need to be composed from points that are in E. So the sequences you need to consider are composed entirely of integers.

3. Mar 25, 2012

Citan Uzuki

If a set has no limit points, then it is vacuously true that all of the limit points are in the set, so the set is closed.

4. Mar 25, 2012

jwqwerty

Sorry but could you tell me further about 'vacuously true'? I have never encountered that word. Thank you.

5. Mar 25, 2012

Citan Uzuki

It means the statement is true because it doesn't actually say anything. If P is any property whatsoever, it is vacuously true that $\forall x \in \emptyset, P(x)$. The reason why this statement is true is usually illustrated by looking at its negation -- if it were not true, then there would be some x in the empty set for which P(x) does not hold. But that is impossible, since there are no x in the empty set.

As applied to this particular problem, if E is a set with no limit points, then E will be closed, because for E not to be closed, there would have to be a limit point of E which is not in E. But there are no limit points of E, in E or otherwise. So E is closed.

6. Mar 25, 2012

zmodnz

Citan.......nice try.

I cannot tell much about limit points and stuff.....but i can tell about elementary mathematical logic...Ha.

I just took about 15 minutes typing slowly to show you why you cannot use 'that reasoning' here...

but when i hit 'submit reply'.....guess what.....Yeap....i lost all my hard work...i wasn't connected.....typing is slow and quite frustrating for me.

I'll retype the situation again tomorrow.

7. Mar 26, 2012

SteveL27

The complement of the integers in R^2 is an open set. So is the complement of a finite set.

8. Mar 26, 2012

zmodnz

Again i just lost about 20min worth of hard typing.

i was connected when i started typing and by the time i had finished guess what?

i wasn't connected any more.

9. Mar 26, 2012

zmodnz

So i'll do an injustice to my post by just saying.

Citan is correct by a Mathematical convention about the use of the null set.

But, in Logic this convention's use is quite stricter.....i.e....many things have to be satisfied before it can be used...unlike as in Mathematics.

Example...P(x) has to be a logically valid formula.

...etc...

In Logic the convention says that:

every interpretation of a formal language is a model of the empty set.

Sorry for the Philosophy Detour guys.
Frege...Russell and The Boys...Ha.

Last edited: Mar 26, 2012
10. Mar 26, 2012

SteveL27

When you type a long post into a web form (on this or any other site), do a Copy before hitting Submit. That way when something goes wrong, you still have your post. After a while this will become second nature.

11. Mar 26, 2012

wisvuze

12. Mar 27, 2012

zmodnz

No, i wasn't using philosophical to describe 'vacuous truths.

I was using philosophical to describe what many many (almost all) modern mathematicians call Logic.

...i wonder if the Intuitionist 'believes in' the convention of vacuous truth.....i wouldn't be surprised if they don't...ha.

13. Mar 27, 2012

zmodnz

Oh yeah!

Thanks for reminding me that we can copy & paste, Steve.