# How do I show that a subset is closed and convex?

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1. Jun 10, 2016

### FightingWizard

• Member warned that the homework template must be used
We have a vector p = (0, 0, 2) in R^3 and we have the subset S = {xp where x >= 0} + T, where T is the convex hull of 5 vectors: (2,2,2), (4,2,2), (2,4,2), (4,4,6) and (2,2,10).
How do I show that the subset T is a closed and convex subset?

I know that a subset is called convex if it contains the line segment between any two of its points: (1-t)u + tv for every u and v in the subset. I've tried to take two of those 5 vectors and see if there contains a line segment, but so far, it doesn't make any sense. I hope that you can help me with this problem.

2. Jun 10, 2016

### andrewkirk

Start by writing a completely general formula for an element of T.
Hint: it will have four independent parameters and it will use all five vectors, not just two of them.

3. Jun 10, 2016

### FightingWizard

I don't understand "writing a completely general formula for an element of T". Can you explain what you mean by that?

4. Jun 10, 2016

### andrewkirk

A formula with four parameters that can represent any element of T by choosing the values of the parameters that make the formula give that element.
More here.

5. Jun 10, 2016

### Ray Vickson

Do you know what a "convex hull" is?

6. Jun 10, 2016

### FightingWizard

Yes, the convex hull of a subset is the set of all convex linear combinations of elements from T, such that the coefficients sum to 1.
But I don't understand how to use this to show that the subset T is closed and convex.

7. Jun 10, 2016

### Ray Vickson

Take two points $x$ and $y$ in $T$. Each of $x$ and $y$ can be expressed as convex combinations of the five given points. For $0 \leq \lambda \leq 1$, can you write $\lambda x + (1-\lambda) y$ as a convex combination of the five given points? Try it and see, by writing down all the details.

Next: what does it mean for a set to be closed? Can you show why the convex hull satisfies the closure-conditions?

8. Jun 11, 2016

### FightingWizard

So I need to find the convex combination of the five given points and then check if the vector p lies in the convex hull of T, and if it does then I can use the definition of closure to see if it is closed. Is that correct?

9. Jun 12, 2016

### Ray Vickson

I cannot figure out what you are trying to say, but if you think that is what you need to do then go ahead and actually try it.