# Relationship b/w Connectedness and Homeomorphisms

1. Apr 2, 2011

### rekovu

I'm using Real Mathematical Analysis by Pugh to supplement my analysis class, and the book has been clear thus far, but I've been stuck for days on a concept I've had a hard time understanding.

Just for reference, here is how a homeomorphism is defined:

And here is how connectedness is defined:

I understand that M connected and M homeomorphic to N implies N connected, and that M connected, f:M->N continuous, and f onto implies N connected. However, what I don't understand are examples such as the following:

What I don't understand is how M connected and N disconnected implies M, N not homeomorphic, as in the first example. If I take this as being true, I understand the logic of the second example, with the detailed explanation of the process of removing a point. However, I still don't see M connected and N disconnected implying M,N not homeomorphic.

Many thanks to anyone who can help me out.

Last edited: Apr 2, 2011
2. Apr 2, 2011

### lavinia

homeomorphisms preserve open sets.

3. Apr 2, 2011

### Office_Shredder

Staff Emeritus
So if N is not connected, and a homeomorphism exists from M to N when M is connected, we get a contradiction (because N is connected and not connected at the same time)

4. Apr 3, 2011