Counterexample for P being a closed set with isolated points in real analysis

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of isolated points within a subset of the real numbers and the assertion that the set of all isolated points is closed. The original poster is seeking a counterexample to this assertion.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster expresses confusion regarding the definition of isolated points, which may hinder their ability to formulate a counterexample. They provide an example of a set containing isolated points and inquire about sequences that converge to a limit in relation to isolated points.

Discussion Status

Participants are exploring the definition and implications of isolated points, with some providing clarifications and examples. The discussion is ongoing, with no consensus reached yet on a specific counterexample.

Contextual Notes

The original poster's homework requires them to find a counterexample, indicating a specific constraint in their exploration. There is also a reference to a Wikipedia link for further reading on isolated points.

Valerie
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For my homework, I have to find a counterexample for this: (with S being a subset of the reals.)
If P is the set of all isolated points of S, then P is a closed set.

I don't quite understand the concept of isolated points, which might be why I can't figure out a counterexample.
 
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If it > 0 is any real number and x < y, show that there exists a rational number r such that
x < ru < y. (Hence the set (ru: r e Q) is dense in R.)
 
Valerie said:
For my homework, I have to find a counterexample for this: (with S being a subset of the reals.)
If P is the set of all isolated points of S, then P is a closed set.

I don't quite understand the concept of isolated points, which might be why I can't figure out a counterexample.

An "isolated" is just a point that is "away" from other points in the set. More technically, there is some neighborhood (open set) containing the point that does not contain any other point of the set. For example, [itex][0, 1]\cup {2}[/itex], the set of all numbers between 0 and 1 (inclusive) and the number 2, has "2" as an isolated point. If a set is a sequence, say, {1, 2, 3, 4, 5}, then every point is an isolated point.

Think about a sequence of numbers that converge to some limit. What are its isolated points?
 

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