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Exercise 1884Topology › Topology of ℝL1Added 3 Nov 2026

Accumulation points of $\mathbb{Q}$

#accumulation#rationals#density

Statement

Show that every real number is an accumulation point of Q\mathbb{Q}.

Hint

Use density of Q\mathbb{Q} in R\mathbb{R}.

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Solution

Proof. Let x∈Rx\in\mathbb{R} and ε>0\varepsilon>0. Since Q\mathbb{Q} is dense, there is q∈Q∩(x−ε,x+ε)q\in\mathbb{Q}\cap(x-\varepsilon,x+\varepsilon). If q≠xq\neq x, done; if q=xq=x, take another rational in the smaller ball (x−ε,x+ε)∖{x}(x-\varepsilon,x+\varepsilon)\setminus\{x\}.

Conclusion. Every real number is an accumulation point of Q\mathbb{Q}; Q‾=R\overline{\mathbb{Q}}=\mathbb{R}.