Open Rectangles Closed under Intersection
Theorem
Let $\paren {\openint {\mathbf a} {\mathbf b} }$ and $\paren {\openint {\mathbf c} {\mathbf d} }$ be open $n$-rectangles.
Then $\paren {\openint {\mathbf a} {\mathbf b} } \cap \paren {\openint {\mathbf c} {\mathbf d} }$ is also an open $n$-rectangle.
Proof
From Cartesian Product of Intersections: General Case, we have:
- $\ds \paren {\openint {\mathbf a} {\mathbf b} } \cap \paren {\openint {\mathbf c} {\mathbf d} } = \prod_{i \mathop = 1}^n \openint {a_i} {b_i} \cap \openint {c_i} {d_i}$
Therefore, it suffices to show that the intersection of two open intervals is again an open interval.
Now let $x \in \openint {a_i} {b_i} \cap \openint {c_i} {d_i}$.
Then $x$ is subject to:
- $x > a_i$ and $x > c_i$, that is: $x > \max \set {a_i, c_i}$
- $x < b_i$ and $x < d_i$, that is: $x < \min \set {b_i, d_i}$
and we see that these conditions are satisfied if and only if:
- $x \in \openint {\max \set {a_i, c_i} } {\min \set {b_i, d_i} }$
Thus, we conclude:
- $\openint {a_i} {b_i} \cap \openint {c_i} {d_i} = \openint {\max \set {a_i, c_i} } {\min \set {b_i, d_i} }$
showing that indeed the intersection is an open interval.
Combining this with the above reasoning, it follows that indeed:
- $\paren {\openint {\mathbf a} {\mathbf b} } \cap \paren {\openint {\mathbf c} {\mathbf d} }$
is an open $n$-rectangle.
$\blacksquare$