Disconnected Sets .... Palka, Lemma 3.1 ....

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In summary, in the conversation, a reader is seeking help with some aspects of proving Lemma 3.1 from Bruce P. Palka's book "An Introduction to Complex Function Theory". They specifically mention the sets S and T, which are non-empty and disjoint. They also provide a link to a key definition from Palka's introduction to disconnected sets. Another user named Peter thanks Opalg for their helpful post.
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I am reading Bruce P. Palka's book: An Introduction to Complex Function Theory ...

I am focused on Chapter 2: The Rudiments of Plane Topology ...

I need help with some aspects of the proof of Lemma 3.1 ...

Lemma 3.1 and its proof read as follows:View attachment 7373
View attachment 7374

In the above text from Palka Section 2.2 we read the following:" ... ... The sets \(\displaystyle S\) and \(\displaystyle T\) are non-empty - \(\displaystyle S\) contains \(\displaystyle A \cap U^*\) and \(\displaystyle T\) contains \(\displaystyle A \cap V^* \) - and disjoint. ... ... "I am trying to show/demonstrate rigorously that the sets \(\displaystyle S\) and \(\displaystyle T\) are non-empty - \(\displaystyle S\) contains \(\displaystyle A \cap U^*\) and \(\displaystyle T\) contains \(\displaystyle A \cap V^*\) - and disjoint ... can someone please help ...?
Help will be much appreciated ...

Peter===================================================================================Readers of the above post will be assisted by having access to Palka's introduction to disconnected sets which includes the key definition ... so I am providing the same ... as follows ... :https://www.physicsforums.com/attachments/7375
 
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Peter said:
I am trying to show/demonstrate rigorously that the sets \(\displaystyle S\) and \(\displaystyle T\) are non-empty - \(\displaystyle S\) contains \(\displaystyle A \cap U^*\) and \(\displaystyle T\) contains \(\displaystyle A \cap V^*\) - and disjoint ... can someone please help ...?
If $z\in A\cap U^*$ (which is a nonempty set) then $z\notin A \cap U^*\cap V^*$ (because $A \cap U^*\cap V^*$ is empty). In particular, $z\notin V^*$. Therefore $z \in (A \cap U^*)\sim V^* \subseteq U^*\sim V^* = S.$ That shows that $A\cap U^*\subseteq S$, so that in particular $S$ is nonempty. The proof that $A\cap V^*\subseteq T$ is similar.

The fact that $S$ and $T$ are disjoint follows from their definitions: $S = U^*\sim V^*$, which is contained in $U^*$. But $T = V^*\sim U^*$, which is contained in the complement of $U^*$.
 
  • #3
Opalg said:
If $z\in A\cap U^*$ (which is a nonempty set) then $z\notin A \cap U^*\cap V^*$ (because $A \cap U^*\cap V^*$ is empty). In particular, $z\notin V^*$. Therefore $z \in (A \cap U^*)\sim V^* \subseteq U^*\sim V^* = S.$ That shows that $A\cap U^*\subseteq S$, so that in particular $S$ is nonempty. The proof that $A\cap V^*\subseteq T$ is similar.

The fact that $S$ and $T$ are disjoint follows from their definitions: $S = U^*\sim V^*$, which is contained in $U^*$. But $T = V^*\sim U^*$, which is contained in the complement of $U^*$.
Thanks Opalg ... most helpful post!

Peter
 

FAQ: Disconnected Sets .... Palka, Lemma 3.1 ....

What is the definition of a disconnected set?

A disconnected set is a set that can be divided into two non-empty subsets that are both open and disjoint. In other words, there is no point in one subset that is also in the other subset.

How is disconnectedness related to continuity?

A continuous function preserves the connectedness of a set. This means that if a set is disconnected, its image under a continuous function will also be disconnected.

What is the importance of Palka, Lemma 3.1 in understanding disconnected sets?

Palka, Lemma 3.1 states that a set is disconnected if and only if it can be written as the union of two non-empty disjoint closed sets. This provides a useful characterization of disconnected sets and helps in proving theorems related to disconnectedness.

Can a disconnected set be path-connected?

No, a path-connected set cannot be disconnected. This is because a path-connected set means that there exists a continuous function connecting any two points in the set, which implies that the set is connected.

How are disconnected sets used in mathematical analysis?

Disconnected sets are often used in mathematical analysis to prove theorems and to understand the structure of topological spaces. They are also important in understanding the concept of continuity and connectedness in functions.

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