MHB Can the closed unit interval be divided into smaller intervals?

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    2015
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The discussion centers on the mathematical problem of whether the closed unit interval [0,1] can be divided into disjoint closed intervals of length less than one. It asserts that such a division is impossible, emphasizing the constraints of interval lengths. No participants provided solutions, indicating a lack of engagement with the problem. The original poster includes their own solution for reference. The topic highlights fundamental concepts in set theory and interval analysis.
Jameson
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Here is this week's problem!

Show that the closed unit interval $[0,1]$ cannot be expressed into a disjoint union of closed intervals of length less than one.
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No one answered this week's problem. You can find my solution below.

By way of contradiction, suppose $[0,1]$ can be written as a disjoint union of closed intervals of length less than one. These intervals form a countable collection, so we may enumerate them as $[a_n,b_n]$, $n\in \Bbb N$. Let $A = \{a_n : n\in \Bbb N\}$ and $B = \{b_n : n\in \Bbb N\}$. The set $S = (A \cup B)\setminus\{0,1\}$ is a compact set with no isolated point. This is a contradiction. For every compact metric space with no isolated point is uncountable.
 

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