Is every point of every closed set E subset of R^2 a limit point of E?

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SUMMARY

In the discussion, participants explore whether every point of a closed set E in R² is a limit point of E. The consensus is that this is not true, as demonstrated by the counter-example of the set {(x,y) | x² + y² ≤ r} ∪ {(0, r+1)}, where (0, r+1) is not a limit point. The concept of isolated points is crucial, as it highlights that closed sets can contain points that do not meet the criteria for limit points. Thus, not all points in closed sets are limit points.

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  • Understanding of closed sets in topology
  • Familiarity with limit points and neighborhoods in R²
  • Knowledge of isolated points and their implications
  • Basic proficiency in mathematical notation and set theory
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  • Learn about limit points and their significance in metric spaces
  • Examine the concept of isolated points and their role in set theory
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Homework Statement



If E is subset of R^2, then is every point of every closed set E, a limit point of E?

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The Attempt at a Solution



I think the answer is yes. Consider E = { (x,y) | x^2 + y^2 <= r^2} , where r is the radius.

Consider a point p that belongs to E, then p shall be a limit point if

the intersection of Ne(p) ( that is neiborhood of "p" with "e" as radius) and set E has another point "q", such that p and q are not the same.

Now, we know that the Ne(p) = circle with radius "e" around "p". Since "p" is an internal point the intersection of this circle with that of E, (another circle) shall have several points other than "p". Hence, all points in E are limit points.

any comments? Thanks.
 
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One example does not a proof make!

But one counter-example does. Consider the set
{[itex](x,y)| x^2+ y^2\le r[/itex]}[itex]\cup[/itex] {[itex](0, r+1)[/itex]}

Is (0, r+1) a limit point of that set?

Look up "isolated point" in your textbook.
 
HallsofIvy said:
One example does not a proof make!


What does that mean?

HallsofIvy said:
But one counter-example does. Consider the set
{[itex](x,y)| x^2+ y^2\le r[/itex]}[itex]\cup[/itex] {[itex](0, r+1)[/itex]}

Is (0, r+1) a limit point of that set?

Look up "isolated point" in your textbook.

(0,r+1) lies outside the set E. So, we can find points in the neighborhood of (0,r+1) such that the intersection with E is null. If I understand you correctly, you are saying that since the points outside E are not limit points and E is a closed set, so points of E need to be limit points. Or E should not have any limit point to be a closed set. And so on...
 
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