# Prove [0,1] is non-empty and bounded above

1. Oct 19, 2011

### colstat

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
Want to prove that [0,1] in R is compact. Let $\bigcup_{\alpha\in A}$ I$_{\alpha}$ be an open cover of [0,1].

By open sets in R.
Let E={t$\in$[0,1] s.t. [0,t] is covered by a finite number of the open cover sets I$_{\alpha}$}.
Prove that E$\neq$$\emptyset$.

3. The attempt at a solution
Let t=0, the set E=[0,0] has only one element, it is non-empty.
Is this ok for the non-empty part?

2. Oct 19, 2011

### micromass

Staff Emeritus
Your argument makes no sense. You wish to prove E to be non-empty. Thus you wish to find a t in E. So you want to find a t such that [0,t] is covered by finitely many sets.

3. Oct 19, 2011

### colstat

I found t=0, there is only one element in that interval, namely {0}. What's wrong?

Let me continue from earlier.

[0,0]={0} $\in$[0,1]
There exists some I$_{\alpha}$ that covers {0}, and there is a finite number of open covers. So, E$\neq$$\emptyset$.
Since E={t|t$\in$[0,1] and [0,t]...}
E$\subset$[0,1]. So it is bounded above by 1.

Last edited: Oct 19, 2011
4. Oct 19, 2011

### colstat

Does anyone else know? someone is gotta know this, chapter 2 of Rudin.

*patiently waiting*

5. Oct 19, 2011

### micromass

Staff Emeritus
Clean up your argument first. Things like $\{0\}\in [0,1]$ really make no sense.

In general it is indeed true that E is nonempty since $0\in E$ and that E is bounded above by 1. But you got to be careful with your notation.

6. Oct 19, 2011

### colstat

thanks, micromass. :)
So, I was right? I feel like Rudin is a little overated(no examples). How do I learn how to prove this? I know I am suppose to work hard, but you can't just beat me around the bush.

Anywho, does anyone know some good websites? I've been look at other course websites, but it's very frustrating.

7. Oct 19, 2011

### micromass

Staff Emeritus
Rudin is a very good book... if you already know the material
Yes, I consider it to be overrated and not really suitable for a first encounter with real analysis. There are better books out there though. Take a look at http://hbpms.blogspot.com/2008/05/stage-3-introductory-analysis.html for some good (and free) books.

8. Oct 19, 2011

### colstat

Thanks again! I just feel like banging my head against the wall. Actually I want to bang Rudin's head against the wall. So, frustrating!

Anyways, let $\gamma$=Sup E, how do you prove $\gamma$$\in$E. I know the definition of Sup, but how do you show something is a supremum?

9. Oct 19, 2011

### micromass

Staff Emeritus
Sup(E) is the least upper bound of E. But 1 is an upper bound. So sup(E) must be smaller... Continue...

10. Oct 19, 2011

### colstat

great! I will get started, I am not sure if I will come back for more on this one.
But one thing for sure, I am learning more on PF than in class.