146 Open Set

An open set is a member of a topology on a set that is used to define neighborhoods and continuity of mappings.

Definition (Open Set) A subset \(U\) of a topological space, \((X,\mathcal{T})\), where the following condition applies:

  • \(U \in \mathcal{T}\)

where

  • \(X\) is a set
  • \(\mathcal{T}\) is a topology on \(X\)
  • \(U \subseteq X\)

146.1 Elementary Example

146.1.1 Simple

An open set is a member of the topology \(\tau\).

\[ X = \{ 1,\ 2,\ 3 \} \]

\[ \tau = \{ \emptyset,\ \{1\},\ \{1,2\},\ X \} \]

\[ U = \{1\} \in \tau \]

where

  • \(U\) is an open set.
  • \(\tau\) is the topology on \(X\).

146.1.2 General

Several open sets on a four-point space.

\[ X = \{ 1,\ 2,\ 3,\ 4 \} \]

\[ \tau = \{ \emptyset,\ \{1\},\ \{1,2\},\ \{1,2,3\},\ X \} \]

\[ \{1\},\ \{1,2\},\ \{1,2,3\} \in \tau \]

where

  • each listed set is open because it belongs to \(\tau\).