A subset S of R is called closed if its complement, Sc = R∖S, is open. The sets [a, b], (−∞, a], and [a, ∞) are closed. Solution. Indeed, (−∞, a]c = (a, ∞) and [a, ∞)c = (−∞, a) which are open by Example 2.6.1. Since [a, b]c = (−∞, a) ∪ (b, ∞), [a, b]c is open by Theorem 2.6.1.