Let $A_n \subset \mathbb{R}^2$ be subsets that converge to $A$ for the Hausdorff distance (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hausdorff_distance) and let $B_n \supset A_n$ be subsets which converge to $B$ for the Hausdorff distance. Do we have necessarily $A\subset B$ ? (If extra conditions are needed, we can assume that $A_n \subset A_{n+1}$ for all $n$ and the same for $B_n$)
Hausdorff distance and inclusion
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0I assume the $A_n$ are non-empty compact subsets? – 2017-02-08
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0Did you cover the Vietoris topology on the hyperspace? – 2017-02-08
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0IS $A \subset B$ *proper* inclusion? – 2017-02-08
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0You can indeed assume that $A_n$ are non empty compact subsets. However I don't ask if $A\subset B$ is proper. If it is equal, it is also very good for me. I don't understand why do you talk about Vietoris topology. – 2017-02-08
3 Answers
I'm using the following here: Suppose $X_n\to X$ in Hausdorff metric. Then $$X=\{\,x\mid \forall U\ni x\colon\exists N\colon \forall n>N\colon U\cap X_n\ne\emptyset\,\}.$$
Consider $a\in A$. Let $U\ni a$ be an open neighbourhood. Then $U$ intersects almost all $A_n$, hence $U$ intersects almost all $B_n$. As $U$ was an arbitrary open neighbourhood of $a$, we conclude $a\in B$.
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0I didn't know this usual fact (I'm a beginner in hausdorff metric). Do you have a reference for this property and perhaps for hausdorff metric in general ? Thank you. – 2017-02-09
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0Oh ok, it's direct from the definition actually. – 2017-02-09
Hint: It's not very hard to show that if $A_n$ is convergent then $$\lim A_n = \cap_{n\ge 0} (\overline{ \cup_{m\ge n} A_m} )$$
(the expression on the right is really the $\limsup A_n$ for the lattice of closed subsets)
They could converge to the same set. Trivial example: Let $A_n$ be $B_{n+1}$ for each $n$.
However, it is true that (given the extra conditions!) $A$ must be a subset of $B$, just not necessarily a proper subset: $A$ must be the intersection of all $A_n$, so each $B_n$ contains $A$, hence the intersection of all $B_n$ - i.e $B$ - contains $A$. I believe this still holds without the extra conditions, but I cannot see a proof offhand.
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1"$A$ must be the intersection of all $A_n$" how could it be possible ? – 2017-02-08
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0This would be true if the $A_n$ were nested going down. – 2017-02-08