Heine-Borel theorem

[ hahy-nuh-baw-rel, -buh- ]

noun

, Mathematics.

1. the theorem that in a metric space every covering consisting of open sets that covers a closed and compact set has a finite collection of subsets that covers the given set.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Heine-Borel theorem¹

Named after Eduard Heine (1821–81), German mathematician and Émile Borel (1871–1956), French mathematician

Example Sentences

That comes up in, for example, the proof of the Heine-Borel theorem.

From Scientific American