# Continuous Mapping on Finite Union of Closed Sets

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## Theorem

Let $T = \struct {X, \tau}$ and $S = \struct {Y,\sigma}$ be topological spaces.

For all $i \in \set {1, 2, \ldots, n}$, let $C_i$ be closed in $T$.

Let $f: X \to Y$ be a mapping such that the restriction $f \restriction_{C_i}$ is continuous for all $i$.

Then $f$ is continuous on $C = \displaystyle \bigcup_{i \mathop = 1}^n C_i$, that is, $f \restriction_C$ is continuous.

If $\family {C_i}$ is infinite, the result does not necessarily hold.

## Proof

Let $V \subset S$ be a closed set.

By Continuity Defined from Closed Sets, we have that $U_i = \paren {f \restriction_{C_i} }^{-1} \sqbrk V$ is also closed.

From the definition of a restriction, we have that $U_i = C_i \cap f^{-1} \sqbrk V$.

Therefore, we can compute:

 $\ds \paren {f \restriction_{C_i} }^{-1} \sqbrk V$ $=$ $\ds C \cap f^{-1} \sqbrk V$ Definition of Restriction of Mapping $\ds$ $=$ $\ds \paren {\bigcup_{i \mathop = 1}^n C_i} \cap f^{-1} \sqbrk V$ Definition of $C$ $\ds$ $=$ $\ds \bigcup_{i \mathop = 1}^n \paren {C_i \cap f^{-1} \sqbrk V}$ Intersection Distributes over Union $\ds$ $=$ $\ds \bigcup_{i \mathop = 1}^n U_i$ Definition of $U_i$

That is, $U = \paren {f \restriction_{C_i} }^{-1} \sqbrk V$ is the intersection of finitely many closed sets.

Therefore, $U$ is itself closed by definition of a topology.

It follows by Continuity Defined from Closed Sets that $f \restriction_C$ is also continuous.

$\blacksquare$

## Also known as

This theorem is sometimes referred to as the pasting lemma.