# Are simply connected open sets in $\mathbb{R}^2$ homeomorphic to an open ball?

Let $U$ be a simply connected open set in $\mathbb{R}^2$. Is it true that $U$ is homeomorphic to an open ball?

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Yes. This follows from the Riemann mapping theorem. –  Mark Aug 2 '11 at 11:27
I'm asking more general question. –  J-Holomorph Aug 2 '11 at 11:45
You have changed the question after correct answers have been posted. I think it'd be better to ask a separate question for general $n$. –  lhf Aug 2 '11 at 11:47
BUT, isn't the fact in the question MUCH EASIER TO PROVE than the Riemann mapping theorem? (A snipe: is the empty set simply connected?) –  GEdgar Aug 2 '11 at 14:39
@GEdgar: Proving this without the Riemann mapping theorem was the subject of this MathOverflow question. –  Jonas Meyer Aug 2 '11 at 16:26

Yes, this is the Riemann mapping theorem. You get much more than a homeomorphism: you get a biholomorphic map.

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Yes. In fact, more can be said... The Riemann Mapping Theorem states that the homeomorphism can be taken to be biholomorphic (as a complex map), if $U \neq \mathbb{C}$. See this link for a much more detailed treatment and proof.

Hope this helps!

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According to the Riemann mapping theorem that's true iff U is a simply connected nonempty open set in $\mathbb{R}^2$ which is a strict subset. That is, $U\subsetneq \mathbb{R}^2$.

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$\mathbb{R}^2$ is also homeomorphic to an open ball. –  Alexei Averchenko Aug 2 '11 at 11:37
That's because the asker changed the question... –  user864940 Aug 2 '11 at 13:19