Set Theory (Proof): Show E is Open/Closed

In summary, for a set E, the boundary \partial E is defined as the set of points that are adherent to both E and the complement of E. It is shown that E is open if and only if the intersection of E and \partial E is empty, and E is closed if and only if the boundary \partial E is a subset of E.
  • #1
CornMuffin
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Homework Statement



The boundary [tex]\partial E [/tex] of a set E if defined to be the set f points adherent to both E and the complement of E,
[tex] \partial E=\overline{E}\bigcap \overline{(X\backslash E)}[/tex]

Show that E is open if and only if [tex] E \bigcap \partial E [/tex] is empty. Show that E is closed if and only if [tex]\partial E \subseteq E [/tex]

I did the first part, but I need help with the second part.

Homework Equations


The Attempt at a Solution


Assume E is closed, then [tex] E = \overline{E}[/tex] and its complement is open
so, [tex] (X\backslash E) \subset \overline{(X\backslash E)}[/tex] and [tex]\overline{(X\backslash E)} [/tex]
(contains points in X but not in X\E)
So, [tex]E\bigcap \overline{(X\backslash E)}=\overline{E} \bigcap \overline{(X\backslash E)}[/tex] is non empty and every point in [tex]\overline{E} \bigcap \overline{(X\backslash E)} [/tex] is in E since [tex]E=\overline{E} [/tex]
So, [tex]\partial E \subseteq E[/tex]

But I am having trouble going in the other direction
 
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  • #2
I've seen this question before. Are you working out of the metric space chapter in Gamelin and Greene's "Intro to Topology?" That's the only place I've ever seen "adherent points."

You're trying to prove

[tex] \partial E \subset E \Rightarrow E=\overline{E}[/tex]?

I got this by looking at the contrapositive. We know that if the closure is the set of all adherent points, then a set is always a subset of its own closure, correct? Then the contrapositive would look like

[tex] \overline{E} \not\subset E \Rightarrow \partial E \not\subset E[/tex].

Try taking it from there. Perhaps there is a direct method of proof, but the contrapositive was the first route that popped into my head.
 

FAQ: Set Theory (Proof): Show E is Open/Closed

What is set theory?

Set theory is a branch of mathematics that deals with the study of sets, which are collections of objects. It is used to define and analyze the properties of sets and their elements.

What does it mean for a set to be open or closed?

In set theory, a set is considered open if it contains all of its limit points, meaning that every point in the set has a neighborhood contained within the set. A set is considered closed if it contains all of its limit points, meaning that every point in the closure of the set is also in the set itself.

How do you prove that a set E is open?

To prove that a set E is open, we must show that for every point x in E, there exists a neighborhood around x that is contained within E. This can be done by choosing an arbitrary point x in E and showing that there exists a positive number r such that all points within a distance of r from x are also in E.

How do you prove that a set E is closed?

To prove that a set E is closed, we must show that its complement, denoted by Ec, is open. This can be done by choosing an arbitrary point x in Ec and showing that there exists a positive number r such that all points within a distance of r from x are also in Ec.

Can a set be both open and closed?

Yes, a set can be both open and closed. This is known as a clopen set. An example of a clopen set is the empty set, which has no limit points and is therefore both open and closed.

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