Lexicographic order topology on the unit square

In general topology, the lexicographic ordering on the unit square (sometimes the dictionary order on the unit square) is a topology on the unit square S, i.e. on the set of points (x,y) in the plane such that 0 ≤ x ≤ 1 and 0 ≤ y ≤ 1.

Construction

The lexicographical ordering gives a total ordering $\prec$ on the points in the unit square: if (x,y) and (u,v) are two points in the square, (x,y) $\scriptstyle \prec$ (u,v) if and only if either x < u or both x = u and y < v. Stated symbolically,

$(x,y)\prec (u,v)\iff (x<u)\lor (x=u\land y<v)$

The lexicographic ordering on the unit square is the order topology induced by this ordering.

Properties

The order topology makes S into a completely normal Hausdorff space. It is an example of an order topology in which there are uncountably many pairwise-disjoint homeomorphic copies of the real line. Since the lexicographical order on S can be proven to be complete, then this topology makes S into a compact set. At the same time, S is not separable, since the set of all points of the form (x,1/2) is discrete but is uncountable. Hence S is not metrizable (since any compact metric space is separable); however, it is first countable. Also, S is connected but not path connected, nor is it locally path connected. Its fundamental group is trivial.

See also

• Long line

References

• Steen, L. A.; Seebach, J. A. (1995), Counterexamples in Topology, Dover, ISBN 0-486-68735-X