Proving Openness of Set S in R^2

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on proving that the set S, defined as R^2 minus the points on the curve y = x^2, is open in the context of real numbers. The conversation explores the definition of open sets in metric spaces and the necessary conditions for a point to be considered an interior point.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest using the definition of an open set, which requires that every point in S is an interior point, implying the existence of a distance r such that all points within r of any point in S also belong to S.
  • One participant proposes calculating the shortest distance from a point (x,y) in S to the curve y = x^2 to determine the appropriate value of r.
  • Several participants express uncertainty about how to calculate the distance d(x,y) = r, with some asking if the distance formula is applicable.
  • Another participant emphasizes that knowing a non-zero distance exists is sufficient, regardless of the exact value of r.
  • A later reply reiterates the definition of an open set and attempts to formalize the conditions under which S is open, introducing variables and inequalities related to points in S and on the curve.
  • There is a suggestion to continue the discussion on the implications of the inequalities derived from the definitions and conditions presented.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the definition of an open set and the need to show that points in S are interior points. However, there remains uncertainty and disagreement regarding the calculation of the distance and the implications of the derived inequalities.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes limitations related to the assumptions made about the distances and the specific conditions under which points are considered in S or on the curve. There are unresolved mathematical steps in the derivation of the conditions for openness.

poutsos.A
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How do we prove that the following set is open??


S= [tex]R^2[/tex]- {(x,y) : y=[tex]x^2[/tex], xεR}

WHERE R is for real Nos
 
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How about using the definition of "open set", which, in a metric space, is that every point of the set is an interior point. Let (x,y) be a point in S which means it is a pair of real numbers such that y is NOT equal to [itex]x^2[/itex]. Then show that there exist a distance r such that all points within r of (x,y) are also in S.

One way to do that is to find the shortest distance from (x,y) to the curve [itex]y= x^2[/itex] and take half that distance as r.

Frankly, it is hard to see how you could be expected to do a problem like this if you could not see how to prove that the limit of a constant sequence is that constant.
 
Thanx, but how do we calculate that distance d(x,y) =r??
 
poutsos.A said:
Thanx, but how do we calculate that distance d(x,y) =r??

distance formula?
 
poutsos.A said:
Thanx, but how do we calculate that distance d(x,y) =r??
As long as you know there is such a non-zero distance, you don't need to know what it is!
 
From the definition of the open set we have:

S is open iff for all xεS THERE exists r>0 such that Disc(x,r) [tex]\subseteq S[/tex]

........or(equivalently)..........


S is open iff for all xεS ,there exists r>0 such that, yεDisc(x,r) =====> yεS.


Let now x=(k,l) ,y=(m,n) then yεDisc(x,r) <=====>[tex]\sqrt{(k-m)^2+(l-n)^2}[/tex]< r

AND the above becomes:



S is open iff [if (k,l)εS then there exists r>0 such that ,if [tex]\sqrt{(k-m)^2+(l-n)^2}[/tex]< r then (m,n)εS].


But (k,l)εS <====> k< [tex]\l^2[/tex], (m,n)εS <====> m< [tex]\ n^2[/tex]. And if w=(o,p) is a point on the curve THEN the distance between y and w is :

....[tex]\sqrt{(m-o)^2 + (n-p)^2}[/tex]..........

AND if we choose r< [tex]\sqrt{(m-o)^2 + (n-p)^2}[/tex]...the above becomes:



S is open iff .

......if... k< [tex]\l^2[/tex] and o=p^2 and [tex]\sqrt{(k-m)^2+(l-n)^2}[/tex]< [tex]\sqrt{(m-o)^2 + (n-p)^2}[/tex]... then m< [tex]\ n^2[/tex]

Can anybody curry on from here?

Also note k< [tex]\l^2[/tex] is one case another is k> [tex]\l^2[/tex]
 

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