Prove: Limit Point of H ∪ K if p is Limit Point of H or K

[Jaquis2345]

Summary: Definition: If M is a set and p is a point, then p is a limit point of M if every open interval containing p contains a point of M different from p.
Prove: that if H and K are sets and p is a limit point of H ∪ K,then p is a limit point of H or p is a limit point of K

In this proof I have assumed that p is not a limit point of H and went on to state that there exists some open interval S that contains p s.t. no element of H (other than possibly p itself) is in S. Since p is limit point of HUK a member of HUK must exist in (a,b) that member being K.
I am currently trying to prove that p is a limit point of K by letting some open interval V be any open interval containing p so S and V intersect but I can not seem to elaborate on what I have.

 

[Office_Shredder]

Open interval means you are working in $\mathbb{R}$?

Every open interval is also an interval around p when you intersect with the (a,b) that you found. This new interval must contain either an element of H or K. Which is is, and what does that say about your original interval?

 

[Jaquis2345]

Open interval means you are working in $\mathbb{R}$?

Every open interval is also an interval around p when you intersect with the (a,b) that you found. This new interval must contain either an element of H or K. Which is is, and what does that say about your original interval?

So no element of H can exist in the new interval other than possibly p. Thus, K exists in (a,b) and (c,d) where every point of K in that intersection is not equal to p. Right?

 

[PeroK]

In this proof I have assumed that p is not a limit point of H

Why not assume that $p$ is not a limit point of $H$ and not a limit point of $K$? Then, try to show that it's not a limit point of $H \cup K$?

That's called a proof by contraposition.

 

[Ben2]

The student seems to be trying a proof by "partial converse." That is, he's assuming p is a limit point of H U K but not of H; he then intends to show it must be a limit point of K. But if some neighborhood of p contains (besides p) no point of H, but must contain a point of H U K, does that neighborhood not have to contain a point of K? This post is prompted by the desire to use the student's original idea, since he is already trying to use it.

 

[WWGD]

Maybe this approach will be helpful: If p is a limit point of $A\cup B$ the every open $O_p$ set/'hood containing p will intersect $A \cup B$. The latter is the collection of points contained in $A,B$ or both.
Then if $O_p$ intersects neither of $A,B$...