All Questions
Tagged with set-theory gn.general-topology
85 questions
34
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Are the Sierpiński cardinal $\acute{\mathfrak n}$ and its measure modification $\acute{\mathfrak m}$ equal to some known small uncountable cardinals?
This question was motivated by an answer to this question of Dominic van der Zypen.
It relates to the following classical theorem of Sierpiński.
Theorem (Sierpiński, 1921). For any countable partition ...
- 41.9k
107
votes
9
answers
36k
views
solving $f(f(x))=g(x)$
This question is of course inspired by the question How to solve f(f(x))=cosx
and Joel David Hamkins' answer, which somehow gives a formal trick for solving equations of the form $f(f(x))=g(x)$ on a ...
- 41.4k
92
votes
3
answers
14k
views
Is every sigma-algebra the Borel algebra of a topology?
This question arises from the excellent question posed on math.SE
by Salvo Tringali, namely, Correspondence
between Borel algebras and topology.
Since the question was not answered there after some ...
- 236k
82
votes
5
answers
6k
views
How do the compact Hausdorff topologies sit in the lattice of all topologies on a set?
This question is about the space of all topologies on a
fixed set X. We may order the topologies by refinement, so
that τ ≤ σ just in case every τ open set is open in σ.
...
- 236k
13
votes
1
answer
639
views
$T_2$-spaces where all non-empty open sets are homeomorphic
We say that a $T_2$-space $(X,\tau)$ has homeomorphic open sets if every non-empty open set $U\subseteq X$ endowed with the subspace topology is homeomorphic to $(X,\tau)$.
The rationals with the ...
- 48.9k
15
votes
3
answers
717
views
Does every set $X$ have a topology for which the only continuous self-surjection is the identity map?
This question is a special case of Dominic van der Zypen's question Reconstructing relations with the image relation of a topology, as discussed in the comments, particularly the comment of Eric ...
- 236k
11
votes
1
answer
769
views
Is there a suitably generalized Baire property for topological spaces of arbitrary cardinalities?
Is there some suitable generalization to the notion of Baire property for topological spaces of arbitrary cardinalities which satisfies the following condition:
The meager sets are sets which are ...
- 1,416
8
votes
1
answer
474
views
A criterion for second countability
Let $(X,\tau)$ be a topological space.
Assume for any arbitrary topological base $\mathcal{E}$ of $\tau$ we have that: the Borel sigma algebras coming form $\mathcal{E}$ and $\tau$ are the same. ...
- 4,058
8
votes
4
answers
714
views
Are there $2^{\aleph_0}$ pairwise non-isomorphic Boolean algebra structures on $\omega$?
Is there a collection of $2^{\aleph_0}$ pairwise non-isomorphic countable Boolean algebras?
Equivalently, are there $2^{\aleph_0}$ pairwise non-homeomorphic closed subsets in the Cantor space?
- 48.9k
155
votes
4
answers
18k
views
Does there exist a bijection of $\mathbb{R}^n$ to itself such that the forward map is connected but the inverse is not?
Let $(X,\tau), (Y,\sigma)$ be two topological spaces. We say that a map $f: \mathcal{P}(X)\to \mathcal{P}(Y)$ between their power sets is connected if for every $S\subset X$ connected, $f(S)\subset Y$ ...
- 39.1k
33
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Is it still an open problem whether $\mathbb{R}^\omega$ is normal in the box topology?
On page 205 of his Topology textbook, James Munkres made an interesting remark:
It is not known whether $\mathbb{R}^\omega$ is normal in the box topology. Mary-Ellen Rudin has shown that the answer ...
- 4,597
26
votes
2
answers
5k
views
Does Arzelà-Ascoli require choice?
Inspired by a recent Math.SE question entitled Where do we need the axiom of choice in Riemannian geometry?, I was thinking of the Arzelà--Ascoli theorem. Let's state a very simple version:
...
- 29.8k
24
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Which are the rigid suborders of the real line?
Which are the rigid suborders of the real line?
If A is any set of reals, then it can be viewed as an order structure itself under the induced order (A,<). The question is, when is this structure ...
- 236k
22
votes
1
answer
754
views
Undetermined Banach-Mazur games in ZF?
This question was previously asked and bountied on MSE, with no response. This MO question is related, but is also unanswered and the comments do not appear to address this question.
Given a ...
- 20.5k
16
votes
1
answer
607
views
The dominating number $\mathfrak{d}$ and convergent sequences
All spaces considered below are compact Hausdorff.
If $K$ is a space, then $w(K)$ is its weight. For a Boolean algebra $\mathcal{A}$, $K_\mathcal{A}$ denotes its Stone space. I am interested in ...
- 1,151
14
votes
2
answers
502
views
Near permutation $n\mapsto n+1$ not conjugate to its inverse on the Stone-Čech remainder?
Let $\beta\omega$ be the Stone-Čech compactification of the discrete infinite countable space $\omega$, and $\beta^*\omega=\beta\omega\smallsetminus \omega$ is the Stone-Čech remainder.
The map $j:n\...
- 63.9k
10
votes
1
answer
354
views
Elementary equivalence between $n\mapsto n+1$ and its inverse on the Stone-Čech remainder?
Consider structures $(A,f)$ encoding a Boolean algebra $A$ endowed with an automorphism $f$. There is an obvious notion of isomorphism between such structures.
Consider the endomorphism $\hat{\Phi}$ ...
- 63.9k
9
votes
2
answers
3k
views
Compact Hausdorff spaces without isolated points in ZF
$S$ is uncountable := $\vert\mathbb{N}\vert<\vert S\vert$
$S$ is noncountable := $\vert S\vert \not\leq \vert\mathbb{N}\vert$
$(X,T)$ is a nice space := $(X,T)$ is a compact Hausdorff space ...
user5810
6
votes
1
answer
223
views
Minimal Hausdorff topologies compatible with a bunch of functions
Let $X$ be an infinite set, let ${\cal F}$ be a set of functions $f: X\to X$. We say that a topology $\tau$ is compatible with ${\cal F}$ if every $f\in {\cal F}$ is a continuous function $f:(X, \tau)\...
- 48.9k
6
votes
1
answer
298
views
What is the height (or depth) of $[\mathbb{N}]^\infty$?
(This question assumes familiarity with combinatorial cardinal characteristics of the continnum.)
Let $[\mathbb{N}]^\infty$ be the family of infinite subsets of $\mathbb{N}$,
partially ordered by $\...
- 3,104
6
votes
3
answers
655
views
When does the generalized Cantor space embed in a $\kappa$-compact space
The generalized Cantor space is the space $2^\kappa$, with basic open sets
$$
[\sigma] := \{f\in 2^\kappa : \sigma\subseteq f\},
$$
for $\sigma\in 2^{<\kappa}$.
A space is $\kappa$-compact if ...
- 3,104
5
votes
0
answers
228
views
What is the smallest number of hyperplanes covering $\ell_2$?
For a Banach space $X\ne \{0\}$, let $\mathrm{cov}_H(X)$ be the smallest number of hyperplanes covering $X$.
By a hyperplane in a Banach space I understand any closed affine subspace of codimension ...
- 41.9k
5
votes
1
answer
419
views
When is there an unbounded tower in $[\mathbb{N}]^\infty$?
(Edit: I'm splitting the question, leaving here only what is answered by Ashutosh, and moving the rest to another question.)
This question assumes familiarity with combinatorial cardinal ...
- 3,104
5
votes
1
answer
600
views
When is the generalized Cantor space $\kappa$-compact?
My M.Sc. student has the following question, that I assume has an answer in the literature, and we are looking for references.
The generalized Cantor space is the space $2^\kappa$, with basic open ...
- 3,104
5
votes
1
answer
287
views
Is each compactification of $\mathbb N$ soft?
Definition. A compactification $c\mathbb N$ of the countable discrete space $\mathbb N$ is defined to be soft if for any disjoint sets $A,B\subset\mathbb N\subset c\mathbb N$ with $\bar A\cap\bar B\ne\...
- 41.9k
4
votes
1
answer
668
views
special extremally disconnected spaces with only finite isolated points
We Know that a cardinal $\kappa$ is measurable if there is a set $X$ with cardinal $\kappa$ and a {0,1}-measure $\mu: P(X) \rightarrow ${$0,1$} so that for all $x \in X$, $\mu(x)=0$ and $\mu(X)=1$. ...
- 1,788
2
votes
4
answers
535
views
Topological spaces $(X,\tau)$ where $|\text{Cont}(X,X)| = |X|$
Let $(X,\tau)$ be a topological space. Let $\text{Cont}(X,X)$ denote the set of continuous functions $f:X\to X$.
What can be said about spaces $(X,\tau)$ where $|\text{Cont}(X,X)| = |X|$? For ...
- 48.9k
47
votes
4
answers
4k
views
Which topological spaces admit a nonstandard metric?
My question is about the concept of nonstandard metric space that would arise from a use of the nonstandard reals R* in place of the usual R-valued metric.
That is, let us define that a topological ...
- 236k
37
votes
14
answers
5k
views
What are interesting families of subsets of a given set?
Motivation
The usual starting point of both Topology and Measure Theory is the definition of a family of subsets of a set $S$.
Indeed, one defines a topology on $S$ to be a family of subsets ...
- 33.3k
32
votes
3
answers
6k
views
Is "compact implies sequentially compact" consistent with ZF?
Over at the nForum, we've been discussing sequential compactness. The discussion led me to realise that I naively assumed that nets were simply Big Sequences, and that I could make a reasonable guess ...
- 26.8k
23
votes
3
answers
2k
views
An ultrafilter is a set of subsets containing exactly one element of each finite partition: reference request
There are probably dozens of ways of defining "ultrafilter". The definition I've seen most often involves first defining "filter", then declaring an ultrafilter to be a maximal filter.
But there's ...
- 27.7k
20
votes
2
answers
1k
views
An order type $\tau$ equal to its power $\tau^n, n>2$
(This is a re-post of my old unanswered question from Math.SE)
For purposes of this question, let's concern ourselves only with linear (but not necessarily well-founded) order types.
Recall that:
$...
- 6,819
19
votes
0
answers
563
views
What algebraic properties are preserved by $\mathbb{N}\leadsto\beta\mathbb{N}$?
Given a binary operation $\star$ on $\mathbb{N}$, we can naturally extend $\star$ to a semicontinuous operation $\widehat{\star}$ on the set $\beta\mathbb{N}$ of ultrafilters on $\mathbb{N}$ as ...
- 20.5k
17
votes
1
answer
989
views
Can two-point sets be Borel?
Recall that a two-point set is a subset of the plane which meets every line in exactly two points. Such a set was first constructed by Mazurkiewicz in 1914.
I wonder if the following question of ...
- 32.2k
16
votes
0
answers
372
views
On projectively countable sets in the Hilbert cube
A subset $A$ of a topological space $X$ is called projectively countable if for any continuous map $f:X\to\mathbb R$ the image $f(A)$ is countable.
It is easy to see that each projectively countable ...
- 41.9k
16
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Characterization of Stone-Cech compactifications
Suppose I have an infinite discrete topological space $X$ of cardinality $\kappa$. Then I know some things about the Stone-Cech compactification, $\beta X$: it is Hausdorff and compact but not ...
- 20.5k
16
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Does Urysohn's Lemma imply Dependent Choice?
It's widely known$^{1}$ that in the proof of Urysohn's Lemma (UL) one uses the Principle of Dependent Choice (DC). Inspired by the equivalence between DC and Baire's Category Theorem$^{2}$, I'd like ...
- 405
14
votes
1
answer
604
views
Continuum Hypothesis and the fact that every co-finite topological space, with uncountable underlying set , is contractible
Let $X$ be a co-finite topological space. If $|X| \ge 2^{\aleph_0}=\mathfrak c$, then $X$ is contractible (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contractible_space) . Indeed, there is a bijection $f: X \times ...
user111524
13
votes
3
answers
820
views
Is there a Borel subset of $ \mathbb{R}^{2} $, with finite vertical cross-sections, whose projection onto the first component is non-Borel?
This question is related to another one that I asked two days ago.
Question. Does there exist a Borel subset $ M $ of $ \mathbb{R}^{2} $ with
the following two properties?
The ...
- 1,396
13
votes
1
answer
674
views
Avoiding countable subgroups of a group homeomorphic to the Cantor space
Update: Further work with Adam (who answers below) and Piotr led to a rather satisfactory result about the problem that motivated the problem below, see our recent paper
The Haar Measure Problem. In ...
- 3,104
12
votes
1
answer
582
views
Is a locally finite union of $G_\delta$-sets a $G_\delta$-set?
Problem. Let $\mathcal F$ be a locally finite (or even discrete) family of (closed) $G_\delta$-sets in a topological space $X$. Is the union $\cup\mathcal F$ a $G_\delta$-set in $X$?
Remark. The ...
- 41.9k
11
votes
2
answers
725
views
Is a Borel image of a Polish space analytic?
A topological space $X$ is called analytic if it is a continuous image of a Polish space, i.e., the image of a Polish space $P$ under a continuous surjective map $f:P\to X$.
We say that a topological ...
- 41.9k
11
votes
1
answer
799
views
Restrictions of null/meager ideal
Let I denote the null (resp. meager) ideal on reals. Is it consistent that for any pair of non null (resp. meager) sets A and B, there is a null (resp. meager) preserving bijection between A and B? In ...
- 9,641
11
votes
1
answer
704
views
Examples of Baire Class $\xi+1$ but not $\xi$ functions for each countable ordinal $\xi.$
We say that $f:\mathbb{R}\to\mathbb{R}$ is of Baire Class $1$ if it is a pointwise limit of a sequence of continuous functions.
One can generalize the definition above by taking pointwise limit of ...
- 623
11
votes
2
answers
605
views
Example of an uncountable scattered space with some properties
This might be an easy question, maybe the example I'm looking for is common knowledge. As always, recall that a topological space $X$ is scattered if and only if every non-empty subset $Y$ of $X$ ...
- 674
10
votes
2
answers
363
views
Source on smooth equivalence relations under continuous reducibility?
This question was asked and bountied at MSE, but received no answer.
In the context of Borel reducibility, smooth equivalence relations (see the introduction of this paper) are rather boring since ...
- 20.5k
10
votes
1
answer
417
views
A variant of the Moore-Mrowka problem
A space $X$ is said to be sequential if whenever $A \subset X$ is not closed then $A$ contains a sequence converging to a point outside of $A$.
A space $X$ is said to have countable tightness if for ...
- 4,413
10
votes
2
answers
750
views
Is there a compact space with no countably generated dense subspace?
This is a reformulation of this MO question which recieved little or no attention due to the fact that the OP gave no motivation whatsoever. I found the question quite interesting and decided to give ...
- 11.5k
10
votes
1
answer
326
views
What is known about topological groups of countable spread in ZFC?
A topological space has countable spread if every discrete subspace is at most countable.
By Theorem 8.10 in Todorcevic's book "Partition Problems in Topology", PFA implies that each regular space $X$...
- 41.9k
10
votes
0
answers
314
views
How much do idempotent ultrafilters generate in terms of semigroups?
It is known that the set of ultrafilters on, say, the natural numbers $\mathbb{N}$, can naturally be endowed with the structure of a compact topological left semigroup (which fails to be anything ...
- 1,914