Is a convex cone which is generated by a closed linear cone always closed

convex-coneconvex-geometryconvex-hullseuclidean-geometrygeneral-topology

Let $C \subseteq \mathbb{R}^n$ be a closed cone which contains zero. (i.e. $\lambda C \subseteq C$ for every $\lambda \ge 0$).

Let $P(C)$ be the convex cone generated by $C$, i.e. the set of all positive linear combinations of points in $C$. Is $P(C)$ closed?

In general, the cone generated by a closed (and even convex) set containing the origin may not be closed, as mentioned here.

Here I assume that the generating set is a (linear) cone. Does that change things?

Best Answer

No, this is not true, and a counterexample in $\mathbb R^3$ can be found.

Pick two closed convex cones $K_1,K_2$ whose sum $K_1+K_2$ is not closed, see here.

Now simply define $C:=K_1\cup K_2$. Then the set $C$ is closed, but the convex cone generated by $C$ is $K_1+K_2$, which is not closed.

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