MATH 242: Problem Set #3

Due on April 5, 2012

Prof. Noli Reyes

Mario T. Rosete III

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Mario T. Rosete III MATH 242 (Prof. Noli Reyes ): Problem Set #3

Problem #1
Let (X, T ) be a normal topological space in which singletons are closed. Let C be the
collection of all continuous functions f : X −→ R. Endow RC with the product topology
and define

Φ : X −→ RC

by

(Φx)(f ) = f (x).

Prove that Φ is continuous and injective.

Solution:

Φ is continuous.
Let U ∈ Tprod . Then except for some functions in finite F ⊆ C , Uf = R. Observe that
\
Φ−1 (U ) = f −1 (Uf ).
f ∈F

Suppose x ∈ Φ−1 (U ). Then Φ(x) ∈ U and so for each f ∈ F , f (x) ∈ Uf . Thus, x would be
in the intersection.

Suppose x were in the intersection. Then for all f ∈ F , x ∈ f −1 (Uf ). And certainly for all
f ∈ C , f (x) ∈ R. Thus, for all f ∈ C , f (x) ∈ Uf , and so Φ(x) ∈ U .

But since f is continuous and Uf is an open subset of R, f −1 (Uf ) is open. Therefore, being
a finite intersection of open sets, Φ−1 (U ) is open.

Φ is injective.
Let x, y ∈ X. Suppose x 6= y. Since X is normal and {x}, {y} are closed, we take Urysohn’s
lemma, as applied on the sets {x} and {y}, to imply the existence of an f ∈ C such that
f (x) 6= f (y). Therefore, Φ(x) 6= Φ(y).

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