Is Path-Connectivity Equivalent to Connectivity in $\mathbb{R}^2$?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the relationship between path-connectivity and connectivity in sets within $\mathbb{R}^2$. The sets under consideration are $A=\{x\in \mathbb{R}^2 : 1\leq x_1^2+x_2^2\leq 4\}$ and $B=\{x\in \mathbb{R}^2 : x_1^2-x_2^2=1, x_1, x_2>0\}$, both of which are confirmed to be connected. To determine their path-connectedness, participants suggest using graphical sketches and the gluing lemma. Additionally, the set $C=\{x\in \mathbb{R}^2 : x_2=\tan x_1\}$ raises questions about its connectivity due to the discontinuity of the tangent function.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of connectivity and path-connectivity in topology.
  • Familiarity with the gluing lemma in topology.
  • Knowledge of continuity and discontinuity of functions, specifically the tangent function.
  • Ability to analyze sets in $\mathbb{R}^2$ and their properties.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the gluing lemma and its applications in topology.
  • Study the properties of connected and path-connected sets in metric spaces.
  • Explore the implications of function continuity on the properties of sets in $\mathbb{R}^2$.
  • Investigate examples of sets that are connected but not path-connected.
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Mathematicians, students studying topology, and anyone interested in the properties of sets in $\mathbb{R}^2$ will find this discussion beneficial.

mathmari
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Hey! :o

Can a set in $\mathbb{R}^2$ be path-connected only when it is connected, i.e. when we know that a set is not connected then it cannot be path-connected? (Wondering)

We have the sets
  • $\displaystyle{A=\{x\in \mathbb{R}^2 : 1\leq x_1^2+x_2^2\leq 4\}}$
  • $\displaystyle{B=\{x\in \mathbb{R}^2 : x_1^2-x_2^2=1, x_1, x_2>0\}}$

I have shown that these sets are connected. Could you give me a hint how we could check whether they are path-connected or not? (Wondering) I have also an other question. Suppose we have the set $\displaystyle{C=\{x\in \mathbb{R}^2 : x_2\cos x_1=\sin x_1\}}$. This is equivalent to $\displaystyle{C=\{x\in \mathbb{R}^2 : x_2=\tan x_1\}}$.
We have that the tangens function is not continuous on the whole $\mathbb{R}$, since it is not defined everywhere. Is this enough to say that this implies that the set is not connected? Or do we need more information to get that conclusion? (Wondering)
 
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mathmari said:
Hey! :o

Can a set in $\mathbb{R}^2$ be path-connected only when it is connected, i.e. when we know that a set is not connected then it cannot be path-connected? (Wondering)

We have the sets
  • $\displaystyle{A=\{x\in \mathbb{R}^2 : 1\leq x_1^2+x_2^2\leq 4\}}$
  • $\displaystyle{B=\{x\in \mathbb{R}^2 : x_1^2-x_2^2=1, x_1, x_2>0\}}$

I have shown that these sets are connected. Could you give me a hint how we could check whether they are path-connected or not? (Wondering)

For the first set: Make a sketch, then use the gluing lemma.
For the second set: $x_1$ is a continuous function of $x_2$ on the interval $(0,\infty)$.

mathmari said:
I have also an other question. Suppose we have the set $\displaystyle{C=\{x\in \mathbb{R}^2 : x_2\cos x_1=\sin x_1\}}$. This is equivalent to $\displaystyle{C=\{x\in \mathbb{R}^2 : x_2=\tan x_1\}}$. We have that the tangens function is not continuous on the whole $\mathbb{R}$, since it is not defined everywhere. Is this enough to say that this implies that the set is not connected? Or do we need more information to get that conclusion? (Wondering)

Could you write $C$ as the disjoint union of non-empty, closed subsets of $\mathbb{R}^2$?
 
Krylov said:
Could you write $C$ as the disjoint union of non-empty, closed subsets of $\mathbb{R}^2$?

I don't really have an idea about that. Could you give me a hint? (Wondering)
 
Krylov said:
For the first set: Make a sketch, then use the gluing lemma.
For the second set: $x_1$ is a continuous function of $x_2$ on the interval $(0,\infty)$.

For the first set: Can we see that only with the graph? (Wondering)

For the second set: We have that $x_1=\sqrt{1+x_2^2}$. What do we get from that? (Wondering)
 

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