Chapter 4: Problem 2
Of what category is the set of all integers \((a)\) in \(\mathbf{R},(b)\) in itself (taken with the metric induced from \(\mathbf{R}\) )?
Short Answer
Expert verified
(a) Closed in \( \mathbf{R} \), (b) Clopen in \( \mathbb{Z} \).
Step by step solution
01
Understanding the Context
We are given a set of all integers \( \mathbb{Z} \) and we need to determine its category both in the larger space of real numbers \( \mathbf{R} \) and within itself using the Euclidean metric. The Euclidean metric is the standard distance measure in real numbers, defined as \( d(x, y) = |x - y| \).
02
Determining Category in \( \mathbf{R} \)
A set is closed in \( \mathbf{R} \) if it contains all its limit points. In \( \mathbf{R} \), the set \( \mathbb{Z} \) does not contain any limit points because the distance between any two integers is at least 1, so no sequence of integers converges to a non-integer limit. Therefore, \( \mathbb{Z} \) is closed in \( \mathbf{R} \).
03
Determining Category in Itself
When considering \( \mathbb{Z} \) within itself using the metric induced from \( \mathbf{R} \), the topology is discrete. This means every single point is isolated, and every subset is open by definition. Therefore, since \( \mathbb{Z} \) is the entire space, it is trivially both open and closed (clopen) in itself.
Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!
-
Full Textbook Solutions
Get detailed explanations and key concepts
-
Unlimited Al creation
Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...
-
Ads-free access
To over 500 millions flashcards
-
Money-back guarantee
We refund you if you fail your exam.
Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with 91Ó°ÊÓ!
Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Integer Set
The integer set, denoted as \( \mathbb{Z} \), is a fundamental concept in mathematics. It includes all positive and negative whole numbers as well as zero. Some of its essential properties include:
- The integer set is countably infinite, meaning its elements can be listed in a sequence: ..., -3, -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, 3, ...
- It is a subset of the real numbers \( \mathbf{R} \), but unlike the real numbers, it does not include fractions or decimals.
- In a metric space, the integers are often examined under different topologies to understand their properties in various contexts.
Closed Set
In mathematics, a closed set in a metric space is one that includes all its limit points. When we look at the integer set \( \mathbb{Z} \) in the context of \( \mathbf{R} \), we need to examine its closure properties.
- Limit points are points to which a sequence of points in the set converges. In \( \mathbb{Z} \), sequences that could converge to a non-integer limit do not exist within the integers.
- The gap between any two consecutive integers is always at least 1, ensuring no integer sequence in \( \mathbb{Z} \) converges outside itself.
- Thus, these properties confirm that \( \mathbb{Z} \) is a closed set in \( \mathbf{R} \).
Euclidean Metric
The Euclidean metric is a standard way to measure the distance between two points in \( \mathbf{R} \). It is defined as \( d(x, y) = |x - y| \). Here's why it's important when discussing integer sets:
- This metric determines how far apart each integer is from another in \( \mathbb{Z} \).
- In the integer set, the distance between two consecutive numbers like 1 and 2 is exactly 1.
- No two different integers are closer to each other than this fixed minimum distance.
Discrete Topology
Discrete topology is a concept where every subset of a space is considered both open and closed ("clopen"). When we examine \( \mathbb{Z} \) as a standalone metric space with the metric inherited from \( \mathbf{R} \):
- Each integer is isolated from all others, meaning it is "open" whether we look at it by itself or as part of \( \mathbb{Z} \).
- As \( \mathbb{Z} \) contains all its elements considered as points, it is both open and closed in itself.
- This inherent property gives \( \mathbb{Z} \) a discrete topology, where its structure makes it flexible in how subsets are considered.