# Topologies for $2^\mathbb{N}$

Let $X = 2^\mathbb{N}$ and $Y = \mathbb{R}^+$ (i.e. the non-negative numbers). Is there a topology in which functions similar to $f : X \to Y$, $$f(A) = \begin{cases} \frac{1}{|A|}, & |A| < \infty \\ \\ \ \ 0, & |A| \not<\infty \end{cases}$$ or $$g(A) = f(A \cap \{2k \mid k \in \mathbb{N}\})$$ would be continuous, but $$h(A) = \begin{cases} \frac{1}{|A|}, & |A| < \infty \\ \\ \ \ 1, & |A| \not<\infty \end{cases}$$ would not? (For $Y$ take the standard topology on $\mathbb{R}$.)

Is it possible for $X$ to be compact with such topology? The context is proving that some functions defined on $X$ attain the minimum/maximum value and I am wondering if it could be done via topology. The functions I am talking about are similar to $$F(A) = \sum_k [\text{if }B_k \subseteq A\text{ then }b_k\text{ else }0]$$

where $(B_k)$ is some countable family of finite sets, and we know that $F$ is bounded, i.e. there exists $M$ such that $|F(A)| < M$ for every $A$. I will appreciate comments on other approaches too.

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Presumably you'll want to define $f$ differently in the case $A = \phi$, but that shouldn't be much of an issue.
If any topology will work, then the smallest topology such that $f$ is continuous in particular will work. This is given by defining $U \subset 2^\mathbb{N}$ to be open iff $U = f^{-1}(V)$ for $V$ open in $Y$. A basis for this topology is $\{\{A : |A|=n \} : n \in \mathbb{N} \} \cup \{ \{A : |A| > n \} : n \in \mathbb{N} \}$.
In this topology, $f$ is indeed continuous, while $h$ is not since ${1}$ is open in the image of $h$ and $h^{-1}(1) = \{A : |A| =1$ or $|A| = \infty \}$ is not open. You can check for yourself that this topology is compact.
Thanks a lot, and sorry to break your nice 1111 reputation ;-) –  dtldarek Jun 19 '12 at 19:49