Prove Continuous Function f(x) on Metric Space & Compact Set C

[curtdbz]

A problem on the final exam is to show for a metric space (X,d) and a compact subset C in X prove that the function f(x) = min_{y \in C} d(x,y) is continuous.

Now, there are two approches you can take. One is to go to the episolon delta definition of continuous, and the other is to use open sets.

Seeing as how C is compact, I think the better approach is to use open sets. That is, to show that for a point y = f(x), make a neighborhood around it, call it U. Then f^{-1}(U) must be shown to be open somehow.

Taking the second approach, I can see that for any point p in f^{-1}(U) we can construct a neighborhood V around it, so that p \subset V \subset f^{-1}(U). Um.. let me think... I know I can cover f^{-1}(U) with finitely many open sets, due to the compactness of C, but I really am stuck. And the thing is, I have no idea where to begin to use the definition of f, f(x) = min_{y \in C} d(x,y). I'm pretty sure I'm appraoching this totally wrong but I can't think of anything else to do. Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[g_edgar]

I think the epsilon-delta approach may be better. In fact, for this function show you can use delta=epsilon. That is, prove |f(x)-f(x')| \le d(x,x')

 

[some_dude]

That question is somewhat odd - by using "min" rather than infinum they must be trying to give a hint. Here's how to make use of that:

Supposing f^{-1}(U) is not empty for some open set U (otherwise we are done), fix some point x_0 \in f^{-1}(U).

As U open, there exists r > 0 such that the interval ( f(x_0) - r, f(x_0) + r ) \subset U.

As C is compact, there exists a y_0 \in C such that d(x_0, y_0) = f(x_0).

Let x \in B(x_0, r/2).

Then, f(x) \leq d(x, y_0) \leq d(x, x_0) + d(x_0, y_0) \leq r/2 + f(x_0).
Similarily, f(x) \geq f(x_0) - r/2, and so x \in f^{-1}(U).

Therefore, B(x_0, r/2) \subset f^{-1}(U), hence f^{-1}(U) is open. It follows that f is continuous.