Question on Basic Topology, open sets

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the properties of open sets in Euclidean space, specifically focusing on the sum of two open subsets E and F. Participants are tasked with proving that the set E + F, defined as the collection of all sums x + y where x is in E and y is in F, is open if both E and F are open. The scope includes theoretical reasoning and mathematical proof techniques.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation, Mathematical reasoning, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant requests assistance in proving that E + F is open given that E and F are open.
  • Another participant suggests that E + F is equivalent to the union of E and F, implying that the union of open sets is open, but does not provide a proof due to notation constraints.
  • A different participant challenges this view by stating that E + F is not the same as the union of E and F, providing an example with specific sets to illustrate this point.
  • Further clarification is sought regarding the specific elements contained in E + F based on the earlier example.
  • Another participant introduces a proof strategy involving neighborhoods around elements x in E and y in F, suggesting that the neighborhood of the sum p = x + y can be shown to lie within E + F.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach consensus on the nature of E + F, with some asserting it is a union while others argue against this characterization. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the proof of whether E + F is open.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations in the discussion, including potential misunderstandings of the definitions involved and the need for precise mathematical notation in proofs. The proof strategy introduced relies on the existence of neighborhoods, which may require further elaboration.

de1irious
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Hi,
In a euclidean space X with two subsets E and F, the subset E+F is defined as the collection of all x+y, where x E and y F. “+” denotes the addition in the euclidean space. Prove that if E and F are open, then E + F is open.

I'd really appreciate your help. Thanks so much!
 
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Given that E and F are open for the remainder of this.

E + F = {x | x is an element of E or x is an element of F}

The definition the E + F given is also the definition of E union F.

Now it needs to be proved that the union of open sets is open. Your book should have a theorem and a proof of this so I will not prove it here due to lack of ability to write in proper notation.
 
That's what I thought at first, but E+F isn't quite the union of E and F. In other words, if E is something like {1,3,5} and F is {20,40,60}, E+F does not contain any point in E or F. So I'm not sure that's the right proof.
 
de1irious said:
That's what I thought at first, but E+F isn't quite the union of E and F. In other words, if E is something like {1,3,5} and F is {20,40,60}, E+F does not contain any point in E or F. So I'm not sure that's the right proof.

So, are you saying given those sets you defined E + F = {21, 43, 65} ?
 
well yes, but also 23, 25, 41, etc
 
Let p be in E+ F. Then p= x+ y for some x in E, y in F. Since E is open, there exist [itex]\delta_1[/itex] such that the [itex]\delta_1[/itex] neighborhood of x is as subset of E. Since F is open, there exist [itex]\delta_2[/itex] such that the [itex]\delta_2[/itex] neighborhood of y is a subset of F. Now let [itex]\delta= \delta_1+ \delta_2[/itex] and show that the [itex]\delta[/itex] neighborhood of p= x+y is in E+ F.
 

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