[Math] Product Topology of Discrete Sets

general-topology

If I am examining two sets $X$ and $Y$, each with the discrete topology, will $X\times Y$ have a discrete topology? My understanding is yes. I believe this because $X\times Y$ is the finite product of discrete spaces. Every point in $X$ is open and every point in $Y$ is open, and every point in $X\times Y$ is open. Thus $X\times Y$ has a discrete topology.

Is this understanding correct?

Best Answer

Given that the projection functions $p_1:X\times Y\rightarrow X$ and $p_2:X\times Y\rightarrow Y$ are continuous, take $(x,y)\in X\times Y$. Clearly: $$\{(x,y)\} = p_1^{-1}(\{x\}) \cap p_2^{-1}(\{y\})$$

But since the topologies on $X$ and $Y$ are discrete, and $p_1$ and $p_2$ are continuous, this means that $p_1^{-1}(\{x\})$ and $p_2^{-1}(\{y\})$ are open in $X\times Y$.

So the singleton set $\{(x,y)\}$ is the intersection of two open sets, and hence is an open set.

Note, this makes clear why this works for finite products, but not infinite products - a singleton in an infinite product would be the infinite intersection of open sets, which is not guaranteed to be open.

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