# Why an open set in $R^n$ might not be written as countable union of disjoint open intervals?

There is a theorem saying that every open set in $R$ can be written as a countable union of disjoint open intervals. And we can also show any open set in $R^n$ can be written as the union of countable many bounded open intervals (see here).

I understand the proofs of the above two statements, but it feels strange that $R^n$ does not share the same property as $R$. Is there any explanation that why an open set in $R^n$ might not be written as countable union of disjoint open intervals?

• What do you mean by open intervals in $\mathbb R^n$ when $n>1$? – user99914 Jun 28 '15 at 3:25
• FYI, a much better answer was given by Noah Schweber in response to a "duplicate" version of this question: math.stackexchange.com/a/1900272/169852 – Bungo Aug 22 '16 at 23:10

Yes. $\:$ For integers $n$ that are greater than $1\hspace{-0.02 in}$, $\mathbf{R}^n$'s usual topology is not an order topology.
Specifically, $\mathbf{R}^n$ will have no cut points, whereas every point of $\mathbf{R}$ is a cut point.
$\Bbb R$ has many topological properties that $\Bbb R^2$, for example, doesn't share. Another example is $\Bbb R\setminus\{0\}$ is not connected, while $\Bbb R^2\setminus\{(0,0)\}$ is connencted.