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Exercise 1065Topology › Metric and normed spacesL1Added 3 Nov 2026

Complete metric spaces

#completeness#Cauchy sequences#examples

Statement

Define completeness and give two examples of complete and two non-complete metric spaces.

Hint

Complete = every Cauchy sequence converges in the space.

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Solution

Definition. A metric space is complete if every Cauchy sequence has a limit in the space.

Complete. R\mathbb{R}, Rn\mathbb{R}^n with Euclidean metric, closed subsets of Rn\mathbb{R}^n.

Not complete. Q\mathbb{Q} (with usual metric: 1,1.4,1.41,…1,1.4,1.41,\ldots converges to 2∉Q\sqrt2\notin\mathbb{Q}); ]0,1]]0,1] (sequence 1/n1/n is Cauchy but converges to 0∉]0,1]0\notin]0,1]).

Conclusion. Completeness depends both on the metric and the underlying set.