Union of Local Bases is Basis

Theorem
Let $T = \struct {X, \tau}$ be a topological space.

For each $x \in X$, let $\BB_x$ be a local basis at $x$ which consists entirely of open sets.

Then $\ds \BB = \bigcup_{x \mathop \in X} \BB_x$ is a basis for the topology $\tau$.

Proof
Let $U \in \tau$ be any open set of $T$.

Consider any $x \in U$.

Then, by definition of local basis, there exists a $B_x \in \BB_x$ such that $B_x \subseteq U$.

Also by definition of local basis:
 * $x \in B_x$

So by Set Union Preserves Subsets:
 * $U = \ds \bigcup_{x \mathop \in U} \set x \subseteq \bigcup_{x \mathop \in U} B_x$

Also, since $B_x \subseteq U$ for all $x$, by Union is Smallest Superset: General Result:
 * $\ds \bigcup_{x \mathop \in U} B_x \subseteq U$

Thus by definition of set equality:
 * $\ds U = \bigcup_{x \mathop \in U} B_x$

So, by definition, $\ds \BB = \bigcup_{x \mathop \in X} \BB_x$ is a basis for the topology $\tau$.

Also see

 * Basis induces Local Basis