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Why is C called an open cover rather than just a cover?

A collection CC is called an open cover if it is a cover of XX and every member of CC is an open set in the topology τ\tau. Showing ⋃C=X\bigcup C = X only proves it is a cover; membership in τ\tau proves it is an open cover.

Conditions

  • Every member of CC belongs to τ\tau.
  • ⋃C=X\bigcup C = X.

Reasoning, step by step

  1. Verify that ⋃C=X\bigcup C = X to confirm CC is a cover.
  2. Check each member of CC against the topology τ\tau.
  3. Confirm that every member of CC is an element of τ\tau (i.e., is open).
  4. Conclude that CC is an open cover.

Example

The board writes ⇒C\Rightarrow C is open cover of XX after noting ⋃C=X\bigcup C = X and that all elements in CC are also elements of τ\tau.

Common misconceptions

  • Thinking that showing ⋃C=X\bigcup C = X alone is enough to call CC an open cover.
  • Assuming any collection of sets covering XX is automatically an open cover.

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