Connectedness of Subsets in Metric Spaces: A Math Problem

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the equivalence of connectedness of a subset A in metric spaces X and Y, where Y is a nonempty subset of X. It is established that A is connected relative to Y if and only if A is connected relative to X, leveraging the definition of connectedness as the absence of a separation into two disjoint nonempty open sets. The proof involves contradiction, demonstrating that if A is connected in one space but not the other, it leads to a contradiction regarding the separation of sets in the respective spaces.

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  • Understanding of metric spaces and the metric d(x,y)
  • Knowledge of the concepts of connectedness and compactness in topology
  • Familiarity with closure of sets and separation of sets in metric spaces
  • Ability to perform proofs by contradiction in mathematical contexts
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  • Study the definitions and properties of connectedness in topology
  • Explore the concept of compactness in metric spaces and its implications
  • Learn about closure and separation of sets in metric spaces
  • Practice proof techniques, particularly proof by contradiction in topology
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Mathematics students, particularly those studying topology, as well as educators and researchers interested in the properties of metric spaces and connectedness.

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Homework Statement



Let X and Y are metric spaces where X contains Y, and A is a subset of Y
;that is,
{Let X be a metric space with the metric d(x,y).
Let Y be a nonempty subset of X. Then we can regard Y as a metric space with
the same metric d(x,y).
Let A be a subset of Y. (Then, A is also a subset of X). }.

is it true that A is connected relative to Y if and only if A is connected
relative to X? I know it is true for compactness.
;
My question is, are the following two conditions equivalent? (in other
words, is it an if and only if statement?)
a) A is a connected subset of Y when Y is regarded as a metric space with
the metric d(x,y).
b) A is a connected subset of X with the metric d(x,y).
 
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Yes, those are equivalent. Since "connectedness" is defined "negatively' (a set is connected if and only if it is NOT the union of connected sets), it is simplest to use proof by contradiction. Suppose A is connected relative to Y but not connected relative to X. Then there exist two separated (in X) sets, U and V, such that [itex]A= U\cup V[/itex]. Separated "in X" means that [itex]\overline{U}\cap V[/itex] and [itex]U\cap\overline{V}[/itex] are empty where the closure is in X. Take the intersection of U and V with Y to get the corresponding sets in Y and look at their closures in Y.

Suppose A is connected in X but not in Y. Basically, do the same thing in reverse.
 


Thank you so much...!
It helps me a lot.
 

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