Relatively-compact set

2020 Mathematics Subject Classification: Primary: 54D30 [MSN][ZBL]

A subset $A$ of a topological space $X$ with the property that the closure $\bar A$ of $A$ in $X$ is compact.

A subset $A$ of a metric space $X$ is relatively compact if and only if every sequence of points in $A$ has a cluster point in $X$.

A space is compact if it is relatively compact in itself.

An alternative definition is that $A$ is relatively compact in $X$ if and only if every open cover of $X$ contains a finite subcover of $A$. This formulation is equivalent to requiring that the set $A$ be way below $X$ with respect to set inclusion and the directed set of open subsets of $X$.

References

• N. Bourbaki, "General Topology" Volume 4 Ch.5-10, Springer [1974] (2007) ISBN 3-540-34399-7 Zbl 1107.54002
• G. Gierz, Karl Heinrich Hofmann, K. Keimel, J.D. Lawson, M. Mislove, Dana S. Scott, "A compendium of continuous lattices" Springer (1980) ISBN 3-540-10111-X MR0614752 Zbl 0452.06001