Why can the intersection of infinite open sets be closed?

I learned that the union of open sets is always open and the intersection of a finite set of open sets is open. However, the intersection of an infinite number of open sets can be closed. Apparently, the following example illustrates this.

In $E^2$, let $X$ be the infinite family of concentric open disks of radius $1 + 1/n$ for all $n \in \mathbb{Z^+}$. Why is $X$ a closed set? Can't I create a boundary set for $X$ that encloses all the elements in the interior?

Solution 1:

When you take the intersection you will have the set $$\bigcap_{n \in \mathbb{N}} \left(-1-\frac{1}{n}, 1+\frac{1}{n}\right)=[-1,1]$$ and this one is closed.

This gives the idea for $$\bigcap_{n\in \mathbb{N}} \left\{ x \in \mathbb{R}^n \text{ such that } \|x\| < 1+\frac{1}{n} \right\}= \{ x\in \mathbb{R}^n \text{ such that } \|x\|\leq 1\}$$

Solution 2:

Look at the radii of your open disks: they’re the numbers $1+\frac1n$ for $n\in\Bbb Z^+$. In order for a point $p$ to be in the intersection of these open disks, its distance from the origin must be less than $1+\frac1n$ for each $n\in\Bbb Z^+$. But the infimum of these radii is $1$, so the intersection is precisely the closed disk $D=\{\langle x,y\rangle\in E^2:x^2+y^2\le 1\}$. And this is a closed set: if $p\notin D$, let $r$ be the distance from $p$ to the origin. Then $p>1$, and the open $(p-1)$-ball centred at $p$ is disjoint from $D$. Thus, $E^2\setminus D$ is open, and $D$ must be closed.