Exercise 1063Topology › Metric and normed spacesL1Added 3 Nov 2026
Compact sets are closed and bounded
#compact#closed#bounded#metric
Statement
Show that in a metric space, every compact set is closed and bounded.
Hint
Sequential argument: a limit point outside would contradict compactness; a sequence with no convergent subsequence gives unboundedness.
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Solution
Closed. If converges to , sequential compactness gives a convergent subsequence in , so ; hence is closed.
Bounded. If were unbounded, there would exist in with ; such a sequence has no convergent subsequence, contradiction.
Conclusion. In metric spaces, compact closed and bounded.
Note. The converse holds in (Heine–Borel) but not in general metric spaces.