# real analysis heine-borel property

Given: 1) is (-2,4) compact by applying Heine-Borel Property? and 2) is [-2,4] compact by applying Heine-Borel property?

I've followed the proof of Heine-Borel property and i have attempted to apply the proof to answer the following and i am not quite sure how to prove? it...

i know that [a,b], every open cover has a finite subcover and a set of real numbers is compact if and only if it is closed and bounded.

So for 1) no and 2) yes?

• $(2, -4)$ is not compact since it is not closed, while $[-2,4]$ is compact since it is closed and bounded. Nov 6, 2014 at 7:00
• could you show me an example for both Nov 6, 2014 at 7:02
• You are correct. Nov 6, 2014 at 7:09

If you know Heine-Borel Theorem, then its fairly obvious wich is compact and wich isnt, $(-2,4)$ is not closed so it cannot be compact, and $[-2,4]$ is both closed and bounded, so it is compact. If you want to do it more 'hands on' you can try the following:

For $1)$: Try to construct a sequence wich doesnt have any subsequence converging in the space $(-2,4)$

For $2)$ How do you know $[a,b]$ is compact? Hint: Let $I_n$ be an open cover of $[a,b]$, then take

$$C = \{x : \text{ such that [a,x] has a finite subcover} \}$$

Prove $\sup C$ exists and that $\sup C = \max C = b$

This will yield a general result for $[-2,4]$ you can even replace $a = -2, b = 4$ and use the same hint.

• would you like to show everyone how you know? Nov 6, 2014 at 7:37
• @chris Did you tried to do anything of what I suggested? I just used what I know about the characterization of compacts sets, you can read more on wikipedia en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compact_space
– aram
Nov 6, 2014 at 7:39