[Math] Showing the set $\{1/n\}_{n=1}^{+\infty}$ is neither open nor closed

general-topologysequences-and-series

Define the set $E$ as $E= \{1, \frac{1}{2}, \frac{1}{3}, \frac{1}{4}, \dots \} = \displaystyle \bigcup_{n\in\mathbb{N}} \{\frac{1}{n}\}.$

Prove that $E$ is neither open nor closed.

While I understand that being open and closed is not mutually exclusive, I am not sure how to go about this.

Best Answer

It is not closed because $0$ is a limit point but it does not belong to the set.

It is not open because if you take any ball around $\frac{1}{n}$ it will not be completely contained in the set ( as it will contain points which are not of the form $\frac1n$.

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