Is K Open or Closed? A Topology GRE Question

In summary: If a question on a test asks whether a set is open or closed, it sure as hell better be open or closed
  • #1
ralphhumacho
45
0
I'm not very good at topology but am reviewing it for the GRE Subject Test. Here's a question that I think I know, but would like to check with you guys.

We define:
Ek = B(0, k) - B(0, k-1), where B(0,k) is an open ball around the origin with diameter k. Now suppose that Tk is a subset of Ek for all k, where T is compact. Now let K be the union (1 to infinity) of all Tk. Is K open or closed?

I say closed, but I'm not sure.
 
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  • #2
ralphhumacho said:
I'm not very good at topology but am reviewing it for the GRE Subject Test. Here's a question that I think I know, but would like to check with you guys.

We define:
Ek = B(0, k) - B(0, k-1), where B(0,k) is an open ball around the origin with diameter k. Now suppose that Tk is a subset of Ek for all k, where T is compact. Now let K be the union (1 to infinity) of all Tk. Is K open or closed?

I say closed, but I'm not sure.

It sure sounds closed. In R^n, compact means closed and bounded. With each T_k being completely contained within disjoint open sets E^k, each T_k is disjoint. While the union of an infinite number of closed sets isn't in general closed, it seems like in this situation, it is, because the sets are all separated in some sense. It has something to do with compactness, but I'm not sure how.

If you have a cover of each T_k called C_k, then the union of all C_k covers K. But K clearly isn't compact itself, as it is unbounded.

Oh, when you say K is the union from k=1 to k=infinity, I'm assuming you mean all integral values of k, though I'm not sure if it even affects the problem.
 
  • #3
Notice that the closest a point in Tk can be to zero is k-1, and the farthest is k. But since Tk is compact, the distance from the farthest point in Tk to zero is bounded away from k. Hence if you have a limit point of K, say x, then |x| is going to be in between some k-1 and k, and from there it's clear x is a limit point of Tk and hence x is in Tk and thus K itself.

Also, note that the Ek's are not open, but they are disjoint
 
  • #4
think about the meaning of closed. take a sequence of elements in the set that converges and ask whether the limit lies in the set?

isn't it obvious that the limit must lie in a bounded set in the space? hence the sequence also lies in a bounded set, hence in a finite union of compact sets. that dooos it.
 
  • #5
There exists sets which are not open and not closed, so it is always dangerous to start with question like "closed or open?". It seems that in this case the carelessness isn't leading into trouble, though.
 
  • #6
your comment is correct in general, except that i think i have already settled this particular matter.
 
  • #7
jostpuur said:
There exists sets which are not open and not closed, so it is always dangerous to start with question like "closed or open?". It seems that in this case the carelessness isn't leading into trouble, though.
Indeed there also exist sets that are both open and closed so, strictly speaking one should always ask "open, closed, neither, or both?"
 
  • #8
If a question on a test asks whether a set is open or closed, it sure as hell better be open or closed
 
  • #9
Office_Shredder said:
If a question on a test asks whether a set is open or closed, it sure as hell better be open or closed

You never know :wink:

Why couldn't a professor write a question "Which one of A and B is correct?", and then give zero points for both A and B answers, the actual correct answer being something else? :wink: :tongue:
 
  • #10
Office_Shredder said:
If a question on a test asks whether a set is open or closed, it sure as hell better be open or closed

HallsofIvy said:
Indeed there also exist sets that are both open and closed so, strictly speaking one should always ask "open, closed, neither, or both?"



What if it's neither!?
 
  • #11
Tac-Tics said:
What if it's neither!?

That's not a question choice. If the question writer gives you information, you have to assume it's true. When you see a question like: "Given an element in the field of rational numbers..." do you prove that the rational numbers are a field? When you're asked to calculate an integral of a function, do you prove that the function is integrable? Did you even bother to prove that it was a function you're integrating? What a waste of time that would be
 
  • #12
Office_Shredder said:
That's not a question choice. If the question writer gives you information, you have to assume it's true. When you see a question like: "Given an element in the field of rational numbers..." do you prove that the rational numbers are a field? When you're asked to calculate an integral of a function, do you prove that the function is integrable? Did you even bother to prove that it was a function you're integrating? What a waste of time that would be

Whoops. I misread HallsofIvy's post. I thought he had left out "neither" in the list of possibilities, so I added it X-(
 
  • #13
nevermind. Misread.
 
Last edited:

1. Is K open or closed?

This is a common question in topology as it involves understanding the concepts of open and closed sets. The answer is that it depends on the specific topology of K. In some topologies, K may be considered open, while in others it may be considered closed.

2. What is the difference between open and closed sets?

In topology, open and closed sets are defined based on the concept of neighborhoods. An open set is a set that contains all the points within its neighborhood, while a closed set is a set that contains its boundary points. In other words, an open set does not include its boundary, while a closed set does.

3. How does the topology of K determine if it is open or closed?

The topology of K is determined by the collection of open sets that satisfy certain axioms, such as being closed under unions and finite intersections. If K satisfies these axioms, then it is considered a topological space, and the open and closed sets can be defined accordingly.

4. Can a set be both open and closed?

Yes, in some topologies, a set can be both open and closed. This is known as a clopen set, which means it is both closed and open at the same time. An example of a clopen set is the entire space in the discrete topology.

5. How is the concept of open and closed sets useful in mathematics?

The concept of open and closed sets is important in mathematics as it allows us to define and study topological spaces. It also helps us understand the properties and relationships between different sets. In addition, open and closed sets are used in various mathematical fields, such as analysis, algebra, and geometry.

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