If a set is $F_\sigma$ and is of first category then it is a countable union of closed nowhere dense sets

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We say a set is $F_\sigma$ if it is a countable union of closed sets. We say a set is of first category if it is a countable union of nowhere dense sets.

The question is, if a set of $F_\sigma$ and of first category, is it true that this set is a countable union of closed nowhere dense sets.

Best Answer

Yes, an $F_\sigma$ set of the first category is the union of countably many closed nowhere dense sets.

Since an $F_\sigma$ set of the first category is the union of countably many closed sets of the first category, it will suffice to show that a closed set of the first category is the union of countably many closed nowhere dense sets. Well, a closed set of the first category is the union of countably many nowhere dense sets, and it is also the union of the closures of those nowhere dense sets, and the closure of a nowhere dense set is a closed nowhere dense set, Q.E.D.

Actually, a closed set of the first category (in a Baire space) is nowhere dense; so there is a shorter proof, if you're working with a Baire space.