Maths WorkshopMaths problems with full solutions
Exercise 586Topology › Topology of ℝⁿL1Added 3 Nov 2026

Boundary of a ball

#boundary#sphere#ball

Statement

Compute the boundary of the closed ball B‾(a,r)⊆Rn\overline B(a,r)\subseteq\mathbb{R}^n.

Hint

Boundary = closure ∖\setminus interior. The closed ball is its own closure; its interior is the open ball.

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Solution

Closure. B‾(a,r)\overline B(a,r) is closed, so its closure is itself.

Interior. B‾˚=B(a,r)\mathring{\overline B}=B(a,r): any boundary point fails to have a ball inside the closed ball.

Boundary. B(a,r)‾∖B(a,r)={x:∥x−a∥=r}\overline{B(a,r)}\setminus B(a,r)=\{x:\|x-a\|=r\}.

Conclusion. The boundary is the sphere S(a,r)={x:∥x−a∥=r}S(a,r)=\{x:\|x-a\|=r\}.