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General Topology/Countability, density

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Definition (dense):

Let X be a topological space and let A⊆X be a subset. A is called dense if and only if A‾=X.

Definition (first-countable):

Let X be a topological space. X is called first-countable iff for all x∈X the neighbourhood filter N(x) has a countable basis.

Definition (second-countable):

Let X be a topological space. X is called second-countable iff the topology of X has a countable basis.

Since subsets of countable sets are countable and the open neighbourhoods generate N(x), second-countability implies first-countability.

Definition ():

separable space


Proposition ():

second-countable spaces are separable

(On the condition of the axiom of countable choice.)

Proof: Let (Un)n∈ℕ be a basis of the topology of X and choose xn∈Un. Then S:={xn|n∈ℕ} is countable and dense. ◻

Proposition ():

subspace of second-countable space is second-countable

Proof: Any countable basis (Un)n∈ℕ of the topology of X induces a countable basis (S∩Un)n∈ℕ of the subspace topology on S. ◻

Proposition ():

continuous function into Hausdorff space is uniquely determined by dense subspace

Proof: Let x∈X be arbitrary, and let V⊆Y be any neighbourhood of G(x). By continuity of G we may find a neighbourhood U of x that is mapped completely into V. Analogously, whenever V′ is a neighbourhood of F(x), we find a neighbourhood U′ mapping completely into V′. Then U∩U′ is mapped completely into V∩V′, so that F(x),G(x)⊆V∩V′ for any open neighbourhoods V of G(x) and V′ of F(x). If F(x)≠G(x), then V∩V′=∅︀ for suitable V,V′ as above by the Hausdorff condition, a contradiction to G(x)∈V∩V′. Hence, F(x)=G(x). Since x was arbitrary, we conclude. ◻