Department of Mathematics, IIT INDORE.

Summary Report on: CONNECTEDNESS.

Submitted By: Akash Boro ( 2303141001 )

Connectedness in Topology
Definition

A topological space X is said to be connected if it cannot be divided into two disjoint non-empty open
sets. If a space is not connected, it is called disconnected.

A topological space X is called path connected if, for any two points x, y ∈ X, there exists a
continuous function f : [0, 1] → X such that f (0) = x and f (1) = y. In other words, there exists a
continuous path joining any pair of points in X.

Note: Every path connected space is connected, but the converse is not always true. Connectedness
implies there are no ”gaps” in the space, while path connectedness further ensures that any two points
can be joined by a continuous path.

Examples

EX: 1 The interval [0, 1] is connected because it cannot be partitioned into two disjoint non-empty open
sets.

EX: 2 The set A = [0, 1] ∪ [2, 3] is disconnected because it can be expressed as the union of two disjoint
open sets [0, 1] and [2, 3].
EX: 3 The set A = (0, 1) ∪ (2, 3) is disconnected, as it can be expressed as the union of two disjoint
open sets (0, 1) and (2, 3).

EX: 4 The interval (0, 1) is connected, while (0, 1) ∪ (2, 3) is disconnected.

EX: 5 The set of all points in R2 such that x2 + y 2 < 1 (the interior of a circle) is connected.

EX: 6 The set R is connected. There are no two non-empty open sets that can separate it since any
two intervals overlap.

EX: 7 The set Rn (for n ≥ 1) is connected. Any two points in Rn can be joined by a straight line
segment, showing that there are no disjoint non-empty open sets separating them.

EX: 8 The Cantor set is disconnected; it consists of points in the interval [0, 1] that are left after infinitely
many steps of removing open middle thirds. It is composed of disjoint intervals and thus is not connected.

EX: 9 The space Q (the rational numbers) is totally disconnected. Every singleton set {q} for q ∈ Q is
a clopen set, meaning there are no connected subsets with more than one point.

EX: 10 The set [0, 1] × [0, 1] in R2 is connected, as it is the closed square in the plane and cannot be
divided into two disjoint non-empty open subsets.

EX: 11 The union of two connected spaces [0, 1] and [1, 2] is connected because they share the point 1,
demonstrating that intersections maintain connectedness.

EX: 12 The set {(x, y) ∈ R2 : x2 + y 2 = 1} (the unit circle) is connected, as there are no two disjoint
non-empty open sets that can separate it.

EX: 13 The open interval (0, 1) is connected, while the set (0, 1) ∪ (1, 2) is disconnected, as it consists
of two non-empty open intervals that do not intersect.

EX: 14 The set [0, 1) is connected. Although it is not closed in R, there are no two non-empty open
sets that can separate it.

Theorems and Proofs

TH: 1 A space X is connected if and only if the only clopen subsets of X are ∅ and X itself.

Proof:
Assume X is connected. If there exists a clopen set A such that A ̸= ∅ and A ̸= X, then A and X \ A
form a separation, contradicting the connectedness of X. Conversely, assume the only clopen sets are ∅
and X. If X were disconnected, we could find non-empty clopen sets, which contradicts our assumption.
TH: 2 The continuous image of a connected space is connected.

Proof:
Let f : X → Y be a continuous function and assume X is connected. Suppose f (X) = U ∪ V with
U and V non-empty open sets in Y . Then, f −1 (U ) and f −1 (V ) are open in X and form a separation,
contradicting the connectedness of X.

TH: 3 The union of any collection of connected spaces that intersect is connected.

Proof:
Let {Xi }i∈ISbe a collection of connected spaces such that Xi ∩ Xj ̸= ∅ for any i, j ∈ I. Consider the
union X = i∈I Xi . For any two non-empty open sets U and V that separate X, at least one of them
must intersect with some Xi , which is connected. This leads to a contradiction.

TH: 4 If A and B are both connected subsets of a topological space X and A ∩ B ̸= ∅, then A ∪ B is
connected.

Proof:
Assume for contradiction that A ∪ B is disconnected. Then, there exist disjoint open sets U and V such
that A ∪ B = U ∪ V and U ∩ V ̸= ∅. Without loss of generality, assume A ⊆ U and B ⊆ V . This
contradicts the connectedness of A and B.

TH: 5 The interval (a, b) is connected in the standard topology on R.

Proof:
Assume (a, b) can be separated into two non-empty open sets U and V such that (a, b) = U ∪ V . Since
both sets must contain points in (a, b), choose x ∈ U and y ∈ V . The interval between x and y must
also lie within (a, b), leading to a contradiction since that interval must intersect both U and V .

TH: 6 A finite union of connected spaces is connected if at least one point is common to all spaces in
the union.

Proof:
Let A1 , A2 , . . . , An be connected spaces with a common point x ∈ Ai ∩Aj for some i and j. By induction,
assume the union of A1 , A2 , . . . , Ak is connected. Then adding Ak+1 which intersects with the union
keeps the union connected.

TH: 7 Every path-connected space is connected.

Proof:
Let X be path-connected, meaning any two points x, y ∈ X can be connected by a continuous path
f : [0, 1] → X. If X were disconnected, we could separate it into open sets, contradicting the existence
of such paths.

TH: 8 A connected subset of Rn is path-connected if it is also locally path-connected.

Proof:
Let X be a connected and locally path-connected subset of Rn . For any x, y ∈ X, we can construct a
path between them by connecting them through a finite number of local path-connected neighborhoods,
thus establishing path-connectedness.

TH: 9 The product of a finite number of connected spaces is connected.

Proof:
Let X1 , X2 , . . . , Xn be connected spaces. Suppose X = X1 × X2 × · · · × Xn can be separated into two
open sets U and V . The projection maps must then separate at least one of the Xi , contradicting the
connectedness of that space.

TH: 10 The closure of a connected set in a topological space is connected.

Proof:
Let A be a connected set and A its closure. Assume A is disconnected. Then, A would also be discon-
nected, leading to a contradiction.

CONCLUSION:

Connectedness is a fundamental concept in topology that helps us understand the cohesiveness of a

space. A space is said to be connected if it is ”whole” and cannot be separated into disjoint, non-empty
open sets. The study of connectedness is crucial for characterizing and classifying the topological
properties of spaces.
Understanding connectedness provides insights into the overall behavior of a space. In analysis and
geometry, connectedness helps us determine whether a space contains ”holes” or if a continuous process
within the space can proceed without interruption. For instance, a continuous function defined on a
connected space cannot ”jump” between disjoint regions.
When a space is connected, it does not ”separate” into distinct parts. This cohesive nature implies that
between any two points, there is always a continuous path or relationship that keeps the space unified.
In contrast, disconnected spaces consist of several smaller, isolated pieces. This lack of unity leads to
different topological properties and behaviors, as the space is not ”whole.”
In conclusion, connectedness (or cohesiveness) is essential for understanding how a space is structured
in topology. Whether dealing with simple geometric shapes or more complex manifolds, connectedness
plays a vital role in classifying spaces based on their ability to remain whole or their tendency to
separate into disjoint parts.

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

⋆ TOPOLOGY; a first course by James Munkers.

⋆ Foundations of TOPOLOGY by C. Wayne Patty.
⋆ Class-Notes : MA 603.
VOTE OF THANKS:

To conclude, I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone for their support
and helping hands throughout this prepartion period of this summary. If, by chance, I
overlooked something or made an error, please feel free to bring it to my attention. I
truly welcome any corrections and appreciate the opportunity to learn and improve
myself. Thank you!