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The bookUnit 1 · Metric Spaces17 / 83

Connectedness and path-connectedness

Why this is asked: Connected subsets of ℝ are intervals; continuous images stay connected; path-connected ⇒ connected with the topologist's sine curve as the standard converse failure — except open subsets of ℝⁿ, where the two agree.

Connectedness — tests, preservation and the sine curve

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Connected but not path-connectedinteractive

The topologist's sine curve, and why closure preserves connectedness but not path-connectedness.

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The trap here

“Connected ⇒ path-connected” — false

Topologist's sine curve {(x, sin 1/x) : 0 < x ≤ 1} ∪ {0}×[−1,1]

Connected as the closure of a connected set; no path reaches the segment.

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Check yourself — select all that apply

Which of the following are connected?

Next: Measurable sets and functions

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Open this in the full syllabus view · Unit 1