Proving S+T is Open Set: Step-by-Step

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around proving that the sum of two open sets, S and T, is also an open set. The original poster attempts to establish this by analyzing the definition of open sets and their properties in a mathematical context.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the implications of the definition of open sets and question how to manipulate inequalities to demonstrate that S+T remains open. They discuss specific points in S and T and the conditions under which their sums would also be open.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided insights and hints regarding the proof, suggesting ways to approach the problem by fixing elements in S and T. There is ongoing exploration of the algebraic manipulations needed to solidify the argument, with no explicit consensus reached on the correctness of the various approaches discussed.

Contextual Notes

Participants note potential issues with proving the openness of S+T if only one of the sets is open, raising questions about the assumptions underlying their arguments. There is a recognition of the need for careful handling of definitions and conditions in the proof process.

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"Adding" 2 open sets

Homework Statement


I'm trying to prove that If both S and T are open sets then S+T is open set as well.

Homework Equations


[itex]S+T=\{s+t \| s \in S, t \in T\}[/itex]

The Attempt at a Solution


S+T is open if every point [itex]x_0 \in S+T[/itex] is inner point.
Let [itex]x_0[/itex] be a point in S+T, so there is [itex]s_0[/itex] in S and [itex]t_0[/itex] in T so that [itex]x_0=s_0+t_0[/itex].
S is open so for every ||s-s_0|| < δ_1 s in S.
T is open so for every ||t-t_0|| < δ_2 t in T.

Let x be point in S([itex]x_0[/itex], _delta_), I will write x=s+t. [both s and t are some vectors in R^n]
s+t in S([itex]x_0[/itex], _delta_)={s+t | ||[itex]s+t-s_0-t_0[/itex]|| < _delta_} and here I stuck, if I could conclude from ||[itex]s+t-s_0-t_0[/itex]|| < _delta_ that ||[itex]s-s_0[/itex]|| < δ_1 and ||[itex]t-t_0[/itex]|| < δ_2 the proof will be over, however I just can't find the algebraic manipulation.

Will appreciate any help.
Thanks.
 
Last edited:
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Still need help with this one...
 


Please don't bump after only 12 hours. Wait at least 24 hours.

Anyway. Take s in S fixed. Can you prove that s+T is open?
 


Sorry for being impatient.

When I try to prove that s_0+T is open I get into the same trouble:
s_0+T is open set if there is δ such that S(x_0=s_0+t_0, δ) in s_0+T, so let x_0 be point in S(x_0=s_0+t_0, δ) but from the definition: S(x=s_0+t_0, δ)={x | ||s_0+t_0-x||<δ}, in short I get into the same kind of trouble...
 


You can find a delta such that [itex]S(t_0,\delta)\subseteq T[/itex], since T is open.

Now, can you deduce that [itex]S(t_0+s_0,\delta)\subseteq s_0+T[/itex]??
 


micromass said:
You can find a delta such that [itex]S(t_0,\delta)\subseteq T[/itex], since T is open.

Now, can you deduce that [itex]S(t_0+s_0,\delta)\subseteq s_0+T[/itex]??

I think I was able to prove that s_0+t is open:

Let x_0 be in s_0+T, so there is t_0 and s_0 such that s_0 in S and t in T.
S is open so there is δ_1 so that S(s_0, δ_1) in S, so if ||s-s_0||< δ_1 then s in S.
Let x be in S(s_0+t_0, δ_1)={x=s_0+t | ||s_0+t-s_0-t_0|| < δ_1, s_0 in S}={x=s_0+t | ||t-t_0|| < δ_1, s_0 in S}, now because ||t-t_-0||< δ_1 t is in T so S(s_0+t_0, δ_1) in s_0+T.

Is this ok?
Now trying to prove the more that S(t_0+s_0,_some_delta_) in S+T.
 


I think the above proof is wrong because with similar technique I can prove that S+T is open set even if only S {or T} are open:

Let [itex]x_0 \in S+T[/itex], so [itex]x_0=s_0+t_0[/itex] where [itex]s_0 \in S, t_0 \in T[/itex]
S is an open set so there is [itex]\delta_s>0[/itex] such that [itex]S(s_0,\delta_s) \subseteq S[/itex] so for every [itex]s \in S[/itex] that satisfies [itex]||s-s_0|| \leq \delta_s, s \in S[/itex]

Let [itex]x \in R^n[/itex], we can write it as [itex]x=t_0+s[/itex] where [itex]t_0 \in T, s \in R^n[/itex] then if [itex]x=t_0+s \in S(s_0+t_0, \delta_s)=\{t_0 + s | \|t_0+s-t_0-s_0\|< \delta_s, t_0 \in T\}=\{t_0+s | \|s-s_0\|< \delta_s, t_0 \in T\} \subseteq S+T[/itex] because [itex]t_0 \in T\ and\ s \in S[/itex]

Whats wrong?
 
Last edited:


Found my mistake.
micromass, thanks for your hint [got it at last]!
 

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