Finite Intersection of Open Sets of Metric Space is Open

Theorem
Let $M = \struct {A, d}$ be a metric space.

Let $U_1, U_2, \ldots, U_n$ be open in $M$.

Then $\ds \bigcap_{i \mathop = 1}^n U_i$ is open in $M$.

That is, a finite intersection of open subsets is open.

Proof
Let $\ds x \in \bigcap_{i \mathop = 1}^n U_i$.

By the definition of intersection, for each $i \in \closedint 1 n$, we have $x \in U_i$.

Thus, since $U_i$ is open in $M$:
 * $\exists \epsilon_i > 0: \map {B_{\epsilon_i}} x \subseteq U_i$

where $\map {B_{\epsilon_i}} x$ is the open $\epsilon_i$-ball of $x$.

Let $\displaystyle \epsilon = \min_{i \mathop = 1}^n \set {\epsilon_i}$.

Then, by Open Ball contains Smaller Open Ball:
 * $\map {B_\epsilon} x \subseteq \map {B_{\epsilon_i}} x \subseteq U_i$

for all $i \in \closedint 1 n$.

So:
 * $\ds \map {B_\epsilon} x \subseteq \bigcap_{i \mathop = 1}^n U_i$

The result follows.

Also see

 * Infinite Intersection of Open Sets of Metric Space may not be Open for how this result breaks down for an infinite number of open sets.