[Math] Cheap proof that the Sorgenfrey line is normal

general-topologyseparation-axiomssorgenfrey-line

It is very easy to prove that the Sorgenfrey line is completely regular:

To separate a point $x$ from a closed set $F$, note that there is an interval $[x,y)$ disjoint from $F$ and observe that the characteristic function of $[x,y)$ is continuous because the half-open intervals generating the topology are clopen.

The proof of normality seems considerably harder. The argument I found in several books proceeds in two steps:

  1. Show that the Sorgenfrey line is Lindelöf.

  2. Show that a regular Lindelöf space is normal.

Both these steps are much harder than the above argument. Putting those two arguments together, one obtains something like the argument for point H in Dan Ma's a note on the sorgenfrey line.

Is there a shortcut that is simpler than putting these two arguments together?

Best Answer

Suppose $A,B$ are disjoint closed sets in the Sorgenfrey line. We have to find open sets $U,V$ such that $A\subseteq U,\ B\subseteq V,$ and $U\cap V=\emptyset.$

For each $a\in A$ choose $a'\gt a,$ $\ [a,a')\cap B=\emptyset$; then $U=\bigcup\limits_{a\in A}[a,a')$ is an open set containing $A.$

For each $b\in B$ choose $b'\gt b,$ $\ [b,b')\cap A=\emptyset$; then $V=\bigcup_\limits{b\in B}[b,b')$ is an open set containing $B.$

To show that $U\cap V=\emptyset,$ it suffices to show that $[a,a')\cap[b,b')=\emptyset$ for all $a\in A,\ b\in B.$ Suppose $a\in A,\ b\in B,$ and assume without loss of generality that $a\lt b.$ Since $[a,a')\cap B=\emptyset,$ it follows that $b\ge a'$ and so $[a,a')\cap[b,b')=\emptyset.$

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