Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge / 2022 / ii / Paper 3 / 21G / c / Solution

If $X$ is compact and $f:X\to \mathbb{R}$ is continuous, then $f(X)$ is compact by the continuous image of a compact space theorem. Every compact subset of $\mathbb{R}$ is bounded, so $f$ is bounded.

Conversely, suppose the metric space $X$ is not compact. For metric spaces, compactness is equivalent to sequential compactness, so there is a sequence of distinct points $(x_n)$ having no convergent subsequence. The setis closed: an accumulation point would supply a convergent subsequence. It is also discrete for the same reason. Consequently the functionis continuous. By part (a), $X$ is normal, and the Tietze extension theorem extends $g$ to a continuous $G:X\to \mathbb{R}$. Since $G(x_n)=n$, this extension is unbounded. Therefore, if every continuous real-valued function on $X$ is bounded, $X$ must be compact. This is the bounded-continuous-function characterization of compact metric spaces.

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