To check whether a collection C is a cover of X, form the union of all members of C. If the union equals X (or contains X), then every point of X lies in at least one member of C, so C is a cover.
Conditions: C is a collection of subsets of X.; The test is whether ⋃C=X.
To check whether a collection C is a cover of X, form the union of all members of C. If the union equals X (or contains X), then every point of X lies in at least one member of C, so C is a cover.
Conditions: C is a collection of subsets of X.; The test is whether ⋃C=X.
A topological space (X,τ) is compact if every open cover of X has a finite subcover. This means that for any collection of open sets whose union contains X, there exists a finite subcollection of those open sets that still covers X.
Conditions: The object is a topological space (X,τ).; The quantifier is over every open cover of X.; The required conclusion is the existence of a finite subcover.
A topological space (X,τ) is compact if every open cover of X has a finite subcover. This means that for any collection of open sets whose union contains X, there exists a finite subcollection of those open sets that still covers X.
Conditions: The object is a topological space (X,τ).; The quantifier is over every open cover of X.; The required conclusion is the existence of a finite subcover.