Proving B(r,x) is a Subset of S^c: Basic Topology Question

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The discussion focuses on proving that the open ball \( B(r, x) \) is a subset of the complement of the set \( S \) in a metric space, where \( S \) is defined as \( B(\rho, 0) \). The participants clarify that \( |X| \) represents the norm of a vector \( X \) in \( \mathbb{R}^n \), and they establish that if \( 0 < \rho < |x| \) and \( r = |x| - \rho \), then \( B(x, r) \subseteq B(0, \rho)^c \). The key inequality used is \( |y| \geq |x| - |y - x| \), which is derived from the triangle inequality.

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  • Understanding of metric spaces and open balls
  • Familiarity with the triangle inequality in vector spaces
  • Knowledge of set complements in topology
  • Basic concepts of norms in \( \mathbb{R}^n \)
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trap101
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Assume ##|X| > \rho## , let ##r = |X| - \rho##

Now I am trying to show that ##B(r,x)\subseteq S^c##

This should be a simple question, but I am struggling trying to find the right inequlity.

Attempt:

let ##y## be a point in ##B(r,x)##.

I know that ##|x - y| < r##.

I have to somehow show that ##|y| > \rho##

this is where my argument falls apart:

##|y| \leq |y-x| + |x|< r + \rho## (by triangle inequality)

but this doesn't show that ##|y| > \rho##

what am I missing?
 
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It's awfully hard to figure out what you are trying to say here.

trap101 said:
Assume |X| > \rho , let r = |X| - \rho
Is "X" a number and |X| its absolute value (as opposed to a vector and its length)? If a vector or point, in R2, R3, or Rn?

Now I am trying to show that B(r, x) \subset Sc
Okay, Is "x" the same as "X", above? I presume that B(r, x) is the ball of radius r centered on x (in some metric space) but what is Sc? I would guess "the compliment of set S" but what is S?

This should be a simple question, but I am struggling trying to find the right inequlity.

Attempt:

let y be a point in B(r,x).

I know that |x - y| < r.

I have to somehow show that |y| > \rho

this is where my argument falls apart:

|y| <= |y-x| + |x| (by triangle inequality) < r + \rho

but this doesn't show that |y| > \rho

what am I missing?
 
HallsofIvy said:
It's awfully hard to figure out what you are trying to say here.


Is "X" a number and |X| its absolute value (as opposed to a vector and its length)? If a vector or point, in R2, R3, or Rn?


Okay, Is "x" the same as "X", above? I presume that B(r, x) is the ball of radius r centered on x (in some metric space) but what is Sc? I would guess "the compliment of set S" but what is S?




I apologize my writing of the question is very messy. You are right on both counts. X is a vector in Rn, Sc is the complement of S, and S is a subset of Rn. Sorry for making it messy.
 
Then your question makes no sense. You are given that |x|&gt; \rho, and you want to prove that B(r, x)\subset S^c, the complement of set S? But what is "S". You don't mention it in the hypotheses.
 
HallsofIvy said:
Then your question makes no sense. You are given that |x|&gt; \rho, and you want to prove that B(r, x)\subset S^c, the complement of set S? But what is "S". You don't mention it in the hypotheses.


Sorry. S is B(\rho, 0) , that is the ball of radius \rho about the origin.
 
OK, you want to show that if ##0<\rho<\|x\|## and ##r=\|x\|-\rho##, then ##B(x,r)\subseteq B(0,\rho)^c##. Let ##y\in B(x,r)## be arbitrary. You want to show that ##\|y\|>\rho##. I suggest this as the first step:
$$\|y\|\geq\|x\|-\|y-x\|.$$
 
Fredrik said:
OK, you want to show that if ##0<\rho<\|x\|## and ##r=\|x\|-\rho##, then ##B(x,r)\subseteq B(0,\rho)^c##. Let ##y\in B(x,r)## be arbitrary. You want to show that ##\|y\|>\rho##. I suggest this as the first step:
$$\|y\|\geq\|x\|-\|y-x\|.$$



Ok using: $$\|y\|\geq\|x\|-\|y-x\|.$$

I was trying this before but didn't feel it would be valid. Now since ##r=\|x\|-\rho##, I can then say

## r + \rho = \|x\|##

now can I say that:

##\|y\|\geq\|x\|-\|y-x\|\geq r + \rho = \|x\| - r##

which wold reduce to ##\|y\|\geq\rho ##
 
trap101 said:
Ok using: $$\|y\|\geq\|x\|-\|y-x\|.$$

I was trying this before but didn't feel it would be valid.
Are you familiar with the triangle inequality in the form ##\|x+y\|\geq \|x\|-\|y\|##? (This can be derived from the usual version). Write ##\|y\|=\|(y-x)+x\|## and then use this.

trap101 said:
## r + \rho = \|x\|##

now can I say that:

##\|y\|\geq\|x\|-\|y-x\|\geq r + \rho = \|x\| - r##
This should be ##\|y\|\geq\|x\|-\|y-x\| > r+\rho-r##. (Because ##\|x\|=r+\rho## and ##\|y-x\|<r##).
 
Fredrik said:
This should be ##\|y\|\geq\|x\|-\|y-x\| > r+\rho-r##. (Because ##\|x\|=r+\rho## and ##\|y-x\|<r##).

Yea I just copied the code wrong for that, but no i was not aware of the triangle inequality in that form. I'm gping to go derive it now. Thanks. If I have an issue I will ask for assistence
 

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