Find a closed interval topology

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g1990
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Homework Statement


Let X be an ordered set where every closed interval is compact. Prove that X has the least upper bound property.


Homework Equations


X having the least upper bound property means that every nonempty subset that is bounded from above has a least upper bound, in other words, an upper bound where any number less that it is not an upper bound.
Compact means that every open cover has a finite subcover.


The Attempt at a Solution


Let A be a subset of X that is bounded from above. I know I should try to find a closed interval from this, but I'm not sure where to get it from.
 
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Hello,
I'll try to give an intuitive explanation.

"Let A be a subset of X that is bounded from above."
If A has a greatest element, we're done. If A does not, we can focus on an interval B of the form [...[ with [tex]A \cap B = B[/tex]. Note that B has no greatest element thus there is an open cover that has no finite subcover (is there?).
Define [tex]C = \overline{B}[/tex].
  • If C = B, then B is closed and thus compact (CONTRADICTION! (?))
  • So C has at least an element more than B. What is this element?