Convergence of a Sequence in a Finer Topology

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the convergence of sequences in different topological spaces, specifically addressing the implications of finer topologies on convergence. It is established that while a sequence converging in a coarser topology will also converge in a finer topology, the reverse does not hold true. A counterexample is provided using the sequence ##\frac{1}{n}##, which converges to 0 in the standard topology but does not converge in the indiscrete topology on ##\mathbb{R}##. The correct negation of convergence is clarified as the existence of an open set containing the limit point such that for every natural number N, there exists an n greater than N where the sequence does not reside in that open set.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of basic topology concepts, including open sets and neighborhoods.
  • Familiarity with the definitions of convergence in topological spaces.
  • Knowledge of specific topologies, such as the standard topology and indiscrete topology.
  • Ability to manipulate sequences and limits within mathematical contexts.
NEXT STEPS
  • Explore the properties of the indiscrete topology and its implications for convergence.
  • Study the concept of convergence in various topological spaces, including metric spaces.
  • Investigate counterexamples in topology to deepen understanding of convergence behavior.
  • Learn about the relationship between different topologies and their effects on continuity and limits.
USEFUL FOR

Mathematics students, particularly those studying topology, analysts working with convergence in different spaces, and educators seeking to clarify concepts of limits and open sets in topology.

Bashyboy
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Homework Statement


Clearly if a sequence of points ##\{x_n\}## in some space ##X## with some topology, then the sequence will also converge when ##X## is endowed with any coarser topology. I suspect this doesn't hold for endowment of ##X## with a finer topology, since a finer topology amounts to more open sets, decreasing the likelihood of convergence. However, I would like to build a counterexample to settle this matter.

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution



First, I am having a embarrassing confusion with quantifiers. The definition of convergence I am working is the following: ##x_n## converges to ##x## if and only if for every open neighborhood ##U## of ##x##, there exists ##N \in \mathbb{N}## such that ##x_n \in U## for all ##n \ge N##. Which of the two is the proper negation:

(1) ##x_n## does not converge to ##x## iff there exists an open neighborhood ##U## of ##x## such that ##x_n \notin U## for some ##n \ge N##

(2) ##x_n## does not converge to ##x## iff there exists an open neighborhood ##U## of ##x## such that ##x_n \notin U## for every ##n \ge N##

Once this is settled, my goal is to show that the sequence ##\frac{1}{n}## does not converge to ##0## in the lower limit topology (note, I don't actually know if this is the case; but I conjectured it on the basis that it is the simplest example).

EDIT: Perhaps this is easier. Just consider the indiscrete topology on ##\mathbb{R}##. Then every number in ##\mathbb{R}## is a limit of ##\frac{1}{n}##, but the sequence ##\frac{1}{n}## in the standard topology only has ##0## as its limit.
 
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Bashyboy said:
(1) ##x_n## does not converge to ##x## iff there exists an open neighborhood ##U## of ##x## such that ##x_n \notin U## for some ##n \ge N##

(2) ##x_n## does not converge to ##x## iff there exists an open neighborhood ##U## of ##x## such that ##x_n \notin U## for every ##n \ge N##
Neither of these are right.
xn does not converge to x iff there exists an open set U containing x such that for every N>0, there exists n>N with xn not in U.
EDIT: Perhaps this is easier. Just consider the indiscrete topology on ##\mathbb{R}##. Then every number in ##\mathbb{R}## is a limit of ##\frac{1}{n}##, but the sequence ##\frac{1}{n}## in the standard topology only has ##0## as its limit.
This is a good example to work with (sort of trivial, but that is ok for an example). Find a sequence that doesn't converge in the standard topology and show that it converges in the indiscrete topology.
 

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