Is Any Number Smaller Than a Lebesgue Number Also a Lebesgue Number?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of Lebesgue numbers in the context of metric spaces and open covers. The original poster questions the relationship between Lebesgue numbers and their values, particularly whether any number smaller than a Lebesgue number can also be considered a Lebesgue number.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to reason that if a number r is a Lebesgue number, then any smaller number should also qualify as a Lebesgue number, leading to the assertion that the Lebesgue number for the covering could be 0. Other participants question this reasoning, suggesting a possible misunderstanding of the definitions involved.

Discussion Status

There is an active exploration of definitions, with some participants asserting that the Lebesgue number is the supremum rather than the infimum. The discussion reflects differing interpretations of the concept, and participants are seeking clarity on the correct definition.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference different sources, including textbooks and Wikipedia, which may not align, indicating a potential lack of consensus on the definition of Lebesgue numbers in this context.

quasar987
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Homework Statement


Let A be a set in a metric space and {U_i} be an open cover of A. A number r > 0 such that for all y in A, B(y,r) \subset U_i for some i is called a Lebesgue number for the covering. The infimum of all Legesgue number is called the Lebesgue number for the covering.

Am I wrong in thinking that if r is a Lebesgue number, then any other number lesser than r is also a Lebesgue number, so that if soon as a Lebesgue number exists, the Lebesgue number for the covering is 0?

After all, if for some r > 0, B(y,r) \subset U_i for some i, then if r > a > 0, B(y,a) \subset B(y,r) \subset U_i, so that a is also a Lebesgue number.

 
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Are you sure its not the supremum?
 
It's infimum in my book. And wiki doesn'T make a distinction btw a and the Lebesgue number.

Anyone know for sure?
 
Another vote for supremum.

Although I haven't seen a definition for the Lebesgue number before.
 

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