# On the imbedding of a finite family of closed disks into ℝ² or 𝑆²

(Institute of mathematics,   
National Acad. of Sci., Ukraine   
e-mail polulyah@imath.kiev.ua )  

## Abstract

Let $`\{V_i\}_{i=1}^n`$ be a finite family of closed subsets of a plane $`^2`$ or a sphere $`S^2`$, each homeomorphic to the two-dimensional disk. In this paper we discuss the question how the boundary of connected components of a complement $`^2_{i=1}^nV_i`$ (accordingly, $`S^2_{i=1}^nV_i`$) is arranged.

It appears, if a set $`_{i=1}^nIntV_i`$ is connected, that the boundary $`W`$ of every connected component $`W`$ of the set $`^2_{i=1}^nV_i`$ (accordingly, $`S^2_{i=1}^nV_i`$) is homeomorphic to a circle.

Let $`U^2`$ be an open area (subset of a plane, homeomorphic to the two-dimensional disk). One of the classical problems of complex analysis is the question of a possibility of an extention of conformal mapping defined in $`U`$ out of this area. The answer to this question is tightly connected with the structure of the boundary $`U`$ of $`U`$ and depends on how much the closure $`ClU`$ differs from the closed two-dimensional disk. As a rule, it is known only the local information about a structure of the set $`U`$ (accessibility of points of the boundary from area $`U`$ and so on).

In works \[P1, P2\] the criterion is given for a compact subset of a plane to be homeomorphic to the closed two-dimensional disk, which uses only local information about the boundary of this set (see theorem 3 below). This criterion enables to investigate the problems connected to a mutual disposition of closed disks on a plane.

Let $`\{V_i\}_{i=1}^n`$ be a finite family of closed subsets of a plane $`^2`$ or a sphere $`S^2`$, each homeomorphic to the two-dimensional disk. In this paper we discuss the question how the boundary of connected components of a complement $`^2_{i=1}^nV_i`$ (accordingly, $`S^2_{i=1}^nV_i`$) is arranged.

It appears, if a set $`_{i=1}^nIntV_i`$ is connected, that the boundary $`W`$ of every connected component $`W`$ of the set $`^2_{i=1}^nV_i`$ (accordingly, $`S^2_{i=1}^nV_i`$) is homeomorphic to a circle (see. theorems 1, 2 below).

###### Theorem 1

Let $`V_1,\mathrm{},V_n`$ be a finite collection of the closed subsets of $`^2`$, each homeomorphic to the two-dimensional disk. Suppose the set $`_{i=1}^nIntV_i`$ is connected.

Let $`W`$ be the unlimited connected component of the set $`^2_{i=1}^nV_i`$.

Then the set $`^2W`$ is homeomorphic to the closed two-dimensional disk.

###### Theorem 2

Let $`V_1,\mathrm{},V_n`$ be a finite collection of the closed subsets of $`S^2`$, each homeomorphic to the two-dimensional disk. Suppose the set $`_{i=1}^nIntV_i`$ is connected and $`S^2_{i=1}^nV_i\mathrm{}`$.

Let $`W`$ be a connected component of the set $`S^2_{i=1}^nV_i`$. Then the set $`ClW`$ is homeomorphic to the closed two-dimensional disk.

The following definitions and statements will be useful for us in what follows.

###### Definition 1

\[ZVC\] Let $`D`$ be an open set. The point $`xD`$ is called *accessible* from $`D`$ if there exists a continuous injective mapping $`\phi :IClD`$, such that $`\phi (1)=x`$ and $`\phi ([0,1))IntD`$ (this map is named *a cut*).

###### Definition 2

\[ZVC\] Let $`E`$ be a subset of a topological space $`X`$ and $`aX`$ be a point. The set $`E`$ is called *locally arcwise connected* in $`a`$, if any neighbourhood $`U`$ of $`a`$ contains such neighbourhood $`V`$ of $`a`$ that any two points from $`VE`$ can be connected by a path in $`UE`$.

###### Proposition 1

\[ZVC\] Let $`D`$ be an area with a nonempty interior in $`^2`$ or $`S^2`$. If $`D`$ is locally arcwise connected in a point $`aD`$ then $`a`$ is accessible from $`D`$.

###### Theorem 3

\[P1, P2\] Let $`D`$ be a compact subset of a plane $`^2`$ with a nonempty interior. Then $`D`$ is homeomorphic to the closed two-dimensional disk if and only if the following conditions holds:

* the set $`IntD`$ is connected;
* the set $`^2D`$ is connected;
* any point $`xD`$ is accessible from $`IntD`$;
* any point $`xD`$ is accessible from $`^2D`$.

###### Theorem 4 (Shönflies)

\[ZVC\] Let $`\gamma `$ be a simple closed curve in $`S^2`$ (respectively, in $`^2`$). There exists a homeomorphism $`f`$ of $`S^2`$ onto itself (respectively, of $`^2`$ onto itself) mapping the curve $`\gamma `$ onto the unit circle.

###### of theorem 1.

Let us show, that the compact set $`D=^2W`$ complies with the conditions of theorem 3. We will divide our argument into several steps.

1.  Since $`D_{i=1}^nV_i`$ then for any $`xD`$ we can find $`i\{1,\mathrm{},n\}`$ such that $`xV_i`$. Theorem 3 states that the point $`x`$ is accessible from $`IntV_i`$. Hence $`x`$ is accessible from $`IntD`$ because $`IntV_iIntD`$.

2.  Let us show, that any point $`aD`$ is accessible from $`W=^2D`$.

Without loss of generality we can assume that the origin of coordinates lies in $`IntD`$.

We fix $`aD`$. The set of all points accessible from $`W`$ is dense in $`W=D`$ \[ZVC\], therefore there exists a point $`x_0D`$ accessible from $`W`$ which do not coinside with $`a`$.

All compact subsets of $`^n`$, $`n`$, are known to be limited. Therefore there exists $`R>0`$ such that

$$\underset{i=1}{\overset{n}{}}V_i\left\{x^2\right|\text{d}(0,x)<R\}.$$

We fix a point $`x^{}W`$ which meets an equality $`|x^{}|=R`$. It is known (see \[ZVC\]) that there exists a cut

$$\gamma _0:I^2,$$

$`\gamma _0(0)=x_0`$, $`\gamma _0(1)=x^{}`$, $`\gamma _0((0,1])W`$.

Let

$$\tau =\mathrm{min}\{tI|\gamma _0(t)|=R\}.$$

According to the conditions of theorem $`\tau >0`$. Let $`\gamma _0(\tau )=x^{\prime \prime }`$. Denote a polar angle of $`x^{\prime \prime }`$ by $`\phi `$.

Consider continuous injective mapping

$$\gamma _1:_+^2,$$

$$\gamma _1(t)=\{\begin{array}{ccc}\gamma _0(t)\hfill & \hfill \text{when}& \hfill t[0,\tau ),\\ (\phi ,R+t\tau )\hfill & \hfill \text{when}& \hfill t[\tau ,+\mathrm{}).\end{array}$$

This map is an imbedding of $`_+`$ into $`^2`$, moreover $`\gamma _1(0)W`$, $`\gamma _1(_+\{0\})W`$.

2.1.  Let us show, that the open set $`W\gamma _1(_+)`$ is connected.

Consider an involution

$$f:^2\{0\}^2\{0\},$$

$$f(r,\phi )=(r^1,\phi ).$$

This map is known to be a homeomorphism. Under the action of $`f`$ the area $`W`$ will pass to an open connected set $`\stackrel{~}{W}=f(W)`$. Mark that the origin of the coordinates is an isolated point of the boundary $`\stackrel{~}{W}`$ because

$$\{(r,\phi )^2|r>R\}W,$$

$$\{(r,\phi )^2|\mathrm{\hspace{0.17em}0}<r<R^1\}f(W).$$

Therefore, $`\stackrel{~}{W}_0=\stackrel{~}{W}\{0\}`$ appeares to be the open connected set and the map

$$\stackrel{~}{\gamma }:I^2,$$

$$\stackrel{~}{\gamma }(t)=\{\begin{array}{ccc}f\gamma _1(t^11)\hfill & \text{when}\hfill & \hfill t(0,1],\\ 0\hfill & \text{for}\hfill & \hfill t=0.\end{array}$$

is a cut of the set $`\stackrel{~}{W}_0`$. Moreover $`\stackrel{~}{W}_0\stackrel{~}{\gamma }(I)=f(W\gamma _1(_+))`$.

So, for a proof of connectivity of the set $`W\gamma _1(_+)`$ it is sufficient to check the validity of the following statement.

###### Lemma 1

Let $`U^2`$ be an open connected set, point $`zU`$ be accessible from $`U`$, $`\alpha :I^2`$ be a cut of $`U`$ with the end in $`z`$ (a continuous injective mapping such that $`\alpha (0)=z`$ and $`\alpha ((0,1])U`$).

Then the set $`U\alpha (I)`$ is connected.

Let us prove this statement. Let $`y=\alpha (t)`$ for some $`t>0`$. According to propositions 6.4.6 and 6.5.1 from \[ZVC\] there exists a homeomorphism $`h`$ of $`^2`$ onto $`^2`$, such that the map

$$h\alpha =\stackrel{~}{\alpha }:I^2$$

complies the relation

$$\stackrel{~}{\alpha }(t)=(t,0)_+\times \{0\}^2,tI.$$

Since $`\alpha ([t,1])U`$, there exists an $`\epsilon >0`$ such that

$$\stackrel{~}{U}_t=\{x^2|\text{d}(x,\stackrel{~}{\alpha }([t,1]))<\epsilon \}h(U).$$

Obviously, $`U_t=h^1(\stackrel{~}{U}_t)`$ is a neighbourhood of a point $`\alpha (t)`$ in $`U`$ and the set $`U_t\alpha (I)`$ is connected. Besides, a set $`(U_{t_1}U_{t_2})\alpha (I)`$ is not empty for any $`t_1`$, $`t_2(0,1]`$.

Therefore

$$\underset{t(0,1]}{}U_t$$

is a connected open neighbourhood of a set $`\alpha (I)`$ in $`U`$, hence $`U\alpha (I)`$ is a connected set. $`\mathrm{}`$

So, the set $`W\gamma _1(_+)`$ is connected.

2.2.  Select a point $`x_iV_i`$, $`x_ia`$ for each $`i\{1,\mathrm{},n\}`$. The set

$$\underset{i=1}{\overset{n}{}}IntV_i$$

is connected by the condition of theorem and the point $`x_i`$ is accessible from $`IntV_i`$ for any $`i`$. Therefore we can find a continuous map

$$\beta :[1,n+1]\underset{i=1}{\overset{n}{}}V_i$$

which meets the following conditions

$$\beta ((i,i+1))\underset{i=1}{\overset{n}{}}IntV_iIntD,i=1,\mathrm{},n;$$

$$\beta (i)=x_i,i=1,\mathrm{},n;\beta (n+1)=x_0.$$

Consider a continuous map

$$\gamma :_+^2,$$

$$\gamma (t)=\{\begin{array}{ccc}\beta (t+1)\hfill & \text{for}\hfill & \hfill t[0,n),\\ \gamma _1(tn)\hfill & \text{for}\hfill & \hfill t[n,+\mathrm{}).\end{array}$$

Since the relations

$$\gamma (_+)\left(\beta ([1,n+1])\gamma _0(I)\gamma _1([\tau ,+\mathrm{}))\right),$$

$$\gamma _1([\tau ,+\mathrm{}))\{z^2|\text{d}(z,0)R\},$$

$$aD\{z^2|\text{d}(z,0)<R\}$$

hold and a compact set $`\beta ([1,n+1])\gamma _0(I)`$ does not contain a point $`x`$ on a construction, there exists $`\epsilon _0>0`$ which complies the inequality

$$\text{d}(a,z)>\epsilon _0\text{for all }z\gamma (_+).$$

Now we are ready for proof of local linear connectivity of the area $`W`$ in the point $`aW=D`$.

2.3.  Let $`U`$ be a curtain neighbourhood of the point $`a`$. Find $`\epsilon >0`$ which meets the conditions

$$U_\epsilon (a)=\{x^2|\text{d}(a,x)<\epsilon \}U,U_\epsilon (a)\gamma (_+)=\mathrm{}.$$

Fix imbeddings

$$f_i:S^1V_i,i=1,\mathrm{},n.$$

Here $`S^1=\{(r,\phi )^2|r=1\}`$. The metric on $`S^1`$ we shall define as follows:

$$\text{d}_s((1,\phi _1),(1,\phi _2))=\underset{k}{\mathrm{min}}|\phi _1\phi _2+2\pi k|.$$

Mark that maps $`f_i`$, $`i=1,\mathrm{},n`$ are uniformly continuous.

Fix $`\delta _1>0`$ such that an inequality $`\text{d}_s(\tau _1,\tau _2)<\delta _1`$ implies

$$\text{d}(f_i(\tau _1),f_i(\tau _2))<\mathrm{min}(\epsilon _0/2,\epsilon /3)$$

for any $`i=1,\mathrm{},n`$ and $`\tau _1`$, $`\tau _2S^1`$.

Find also $`\delta _2>0`$, such that $`\text{d}(z_1,z_2)<\delta _2`$ has as a consequence an inequality

$$\text{d}_s(f_i^1(z_1),f_i^1(z_2))<\mathrm{min}(\delta _1/2,\pi /4)$$

for every $`i=1,\mathrm{},n`$ and any $`z_1`$, $`z_2V_i`$.

Assume $`\delta =\mathrm{min}(\delta _2/2,\epsilon /3)`$.

2.4.  Let us show, that for any $`a_1`$, $`a_2U_\delta (a)W`$ there exists a continuous map $`g:IU_\epsilon (a)W`$ such that $`g(0)=a_1`$, $`g(1)=a_2`$.

The inequality $`\text{d}(z_1,z_2)<\delta _2`$ is fulfilled for all $`z_1`$, $`z_2U_\delta (a)`$, hence

$$\text{d}\left(f^1(V_iU_\delta (a))\right)<\mathrm{min}(\delta _1/2,\pi /4)$$

for every $`i\{1,\mathrm{},n\}`$ and in the case $`V_iU_\delta (a)\mathrm{}`$ the circle $`S^1`$ could be decomposed into two not intersecting intervals $`J_i^{}`$ and $`J_i^{\prime \prime }`$ with common endpoints in such a way that the following relations are fulfilled

$$f_i^1(V_iU_\delta (a))J_i^{},$$

$$diam(J_i^{})=\underset{t_1,t_2J_i^{}}{\mathrm{max}}\text{d}_s(t_1,t_2)<\mathrm{min}(\delta _1,\pi /2).$$

In the case $`V_iU_\delta (a)=\mathrm{}`$ set $`J_i^{\prime \prime }=S^1`$, $`J_i^{}=\mathrm{}`$.

Therefore, $`f_i(J_i^{\prime \prime })U_\delta (a)=\mathrm{}`$ and $`f_i(J_i^{})U_{2\epsilon /3}(a)`$.

###### Lemma 2

Let $`B`$ be a closed disk satisfying the following conditions:

$$B\left(\underset{i=1}{\overset{n}{}}V_i\right)U_\delta (a),$$

$$(BU_\delta (a))(W\gamma (_+)).$$

Then $`BV_if_i(J_i^{})U_{2\epsilon /3}(a)`$, $`i=1,\mathrm{},n`$.

On the condition of lemma $`Bf_i(J_i^{\prime \prime })=\mathrm{}`$ for every $`i=1,\mathrm{},n`$. Therefore, $`f_i(J_i^{\prime \prime })IntB`$ or $`f_i(J_i^{\prime \prime })(^2B)`$. By a construction $`x_if_i(J_i^{\prime \prime })`$ and $`x_i\gamma (_+)(^2B)`$, hence $`f_i(J_i^{\prime \prime })(^2B)`$, $`i=1,\mathrm{},n`$. $`\mathrm{}`$

Let $`a_1`$, $`a_2(U_\delta (a)W)`$. Since $`U_\delta (a)\gamma (_+)=\mathrm{}`$, then $`a_1`$, $`a_2(U_\delta (a)(W\gamma (_+)))`$. From connectivity of the set $`W\gamma (_+)`$ follows, that there exists an injective continuous map

$$\stackrel{~}{\mu }:I(W\gamma (_+)),$$

complying the equalities $`\stackrel{~}{\mu }(0)=a_1`$, $`\stackrel{~}{\mu }(1)=a_2`$ (the concepts of connectivity and linear connectivity coincide for open subsets of $`^n`$).

Find smooth imbeddings

$$\eta _1:S^1U_\delta (a),$$

$$\eta _2:S^1\left(U_\epsilon (a)ClU_{2\epsilon /3}(a)\right),$$

such that the points $`a_1`$, $`a_2`$ lie inside disks bounded by curves $`\eta _1`$, $`\eta _2`$.

It is known that an imbedding of a segment or circle into $`^2`$ could be as much as desired precisely approximated by a smooth imbedding. It is known as well that any two one-dimensional smooth compact submanifolds of $`^2`$ could be reduced to the general position by a small perturbation fixed on their boundary.

Therefore, there exists smooth imbedding

$$\mu :IW\gamma (_+),a_1=\mu (0),a_2=\mu (1)$$

such that the sets $`\mu (I)\eta _1(S^1)`$ and $`\mu (I)\eta _2(S^1)`$ consist of final number of points.

For every $`z\mu (I)\eta _2(S^1)`$ there exist $`t^{}`$, $`t^{\prime \prime }I`$, $`t^{}<t^{\prime \prime }`$, which comply with the following conditions

$$z\mu ((t^{},t^{\prime \prime })),$$

$$\mu (t^{}),\mu (t^{\prime \prime })\eta _1(S^1),$$

$$\mu ((t^{},t^{\prime \prime }))\eta _1(S^1)=\mathrm{}.$$

We receive a finite family of nonintersecting intervals

$$(t_{j,1},t_{j,2})Ij=1,\mathrm{},k$$

satisfying to relations

$$\mu ((t_{j,1},t_{j,2}))\eta _1(S^1)=\mathrm{},\mu (t_{j,1}),\mu (t_{j,2})\eta _1(S^1),j=1,\mathrm{},k,$$

$$\mu \left(I\backslash \underset{j=1}{\overset{k}{}}(t_{j,1},t_{j,2})\right)U_\epsilon (a).$$

Now for each $`j=1,\mathrm{},k`$ we fix an arc $`\mathrm{\Theta }_j:I\eta _1(S^1)`$ with the endpoints $`\mu (t_{j,1})`$ and $`\mu (t_{j,2})`$. A set

$$\mathrm{\Theta }_j(i)\mu ((t_{j,1},t_{j,2}))$$

is homeomorphic to a circle, therefore it bounds a closed disk $`B_j`$ such that

$$\left(B_j\underset{i=1}{\overset{n}{}}V_i\right)U_\delta (a),$$

$$\left(B_jU_\delta (a)\right)\left(W\gamma (_+)\right).$$

By lemma 2 these relations has as a consequence following inclusion

$$\left(B_j\underset{i=1}{\overset{n}{}}V_i\right)U_{2\epsilon /3}(a).$$

Since $`\eta _2(S^1)(U_\epsilon (a)ClU_{2\epsilon /3}(a))`$, then

$$B_j\eta _2(S^1)=\underset{s=1}{\overset{m_j}{}}\chi _s.$$

Here $`\{\chi _s\}_{s=1}^{m_j}`$ is a final family of nonintersecting arcs of the circle $`\eta _2(S^1)`$. In addition $`\chi _s(W\gamma (_+))`$, $`s=1,\mathrm{},m_j`$.

A set

$$(IntB_j)\backslash \left(\underset{s=1}{\overset{m_j}{}}\chi _s\right)$$

represents a final union of connected components homeomorphic to the two-dimensional disk, lying either inside or outside the closed disk limited by a circle $`\eta _2(S^1)`$. Select that from components, which bounds with an arc $`\mathrm{\Theta }_j`$. Designate by $`\stackrel{~}{B}_j`$ a closure of this component. Obviously,

$$\stackrel{~}{B}_jU_\epsilon (a),(\stackrel{~}{B}_j\mathrm{\Theta }_j(I))(W\gamma (_+)).$$

Let

$$g_j:I(\stackrel{~}{B}_j\mathrm{\Theta }_j((0,1)))$$

be an arc of a circle $`\stackrel{~}{B}_j`$ with the endpoints $`\mu (t_{j,1})`$, $`\mu (t_{j,2})`$. As we already have shown, it complies with the relation

$$g_j(I)\left(U_\epsilon (a)(W\gamma (_+))\right).$$

A continuous curve

$$g:I(W\gamma (_+)),$$

$$g(t)=\{\begin{array}{ccc}\mu (t)\hfill & \hfill \text{if}& \hfill t\left(I\backslash _{j=1}^k(t_{j,1},t_{j,2})\right),\\ g_j((t_{j,2}t_{j,1})t+t_{j,1})\hfill & \hfill \text{if}& \hfill t(t_{j,1},t_{j,2}).\end{array}$$

represents a continuous path in $`U_\epsilon (a)(W\gamma (_+))`$, connecting points $`a_1`$ and $`a_2`$.

Therefore, the point $`a`$ is accessible from $`W\gamma (_+)`$ and all the more it is accessible from $`W=^2D`$. Then each point of $`D`$ is accessible from $`^2D`$ because of the arbitrary rule we selected the point $`aD`$.

3.  The set $`W`$ is connected on a condition of theorem.

4.  Let us show that the set $`IntD`$ is connected. The set $`_{i=1}^nV_i`$ is connected since any point of $`_{i=1}^nV_i`$ is accessible from a connected set $`_{i=1}^nIntV_i`$, therefore it is sufficient to show that the boundary $`\stackrel{~}{W}`$ does not lie in the set $`D`$ for any connected component $`\stackrel{~}{W}`$ of the set $`^2\left(_{i=1}^nV_i\right)`$, different from $`W`$.

Assume that $`\stackrel{~}{W}D`$. The set $`\stackrel{~}{W}`$ divides $`^2`$, consequently it has dimension not less than one (see \[G-W\]). Therefore, we can find three different points $`z_1`$, $`z_2`$, $`z_3\stackrel{~}{W}`$. Each of these points is accessible from the connected sets $`W`$ and $`_{i=1}^nIntV_i`$.

There exists a continuous injective mapping (see \[ZVC\])

$$\phi :I^2$$

which satisfies the conditions

$$\phi (0)=z_1,\phi (1)=z_2,\phi ((0,1))\underset{i=1}{\overset{n}{}}IntV_i.$$

Let $`z=\phi (1/2)`$. There exists a continuous injective mapping

$$\stackrel{~}{\phi }:I^2,$$

$$\stackrel{~}{\phi }(0)=z_3,\stackrel{~}{\phi }(1)=z,\stackrel{~}{\phi }((0,1])\underset{i=1}{\overset{n}{}}IntV_i.$$

Let $`t_1=\mathrm{min}\{tI|\stackrel{~}{\phi }(t)\phi (I)\}`$. We have $`t_1>0`$ since $`z_3=\stackrel{~}{\phi }(0)\phi (I)`$. Denote $`z^{}=\stackrel{~}{\phi }(t_1)`$. Then $`t_2(0,1)`$ is uniquely defined, such that $`z^{}=\phi (t_2)`$.

Consider continuous injective mappings

$$\phi _1:I^2,\phi _1(t)=\phi (t_2(1t));$$

$$\phi _2:I^2,\phi _2(t)=\phi ((1t_2)t+t_2);$$

$$\phi _3:I^2,\phi _3(t)=\stackrel{~}{\phi }(t_1(1t)).$$

which comply with the relations

$$\phi _s(0)=z_s,\phi _s(1)=z^{},\phi _s((0,1])\underset{i=1}{\overset{n}{}}IntV_i,s=1,2,3;$$

$$\phi _{s_1}([0,1))\phi _{s_2}([0,1))=\mathrm{}\text{when }s_1s_2.$$

Similarly, there exists a point $`z^{\prime \prime }W`$ and continuous injective mappings $`\psi _s:I^2`$, $`s=1,2,3`$, such that

$$\psi _s(0)=z_s,\psi _s(1)=z^{\prime \prime },\psi _s((0,1])W,s=1,2,3;$$

$$\psi _{s_1}([0,1))\psi _{s_2}([0,1))=\mathrm{}\text{when }s_1s_2.$$

Since

$$W\left(\underset{i=1}{\overset{n}{}}IntV_i\right)=\mathrm{},$$

the equality

$$\left(\left(\underset{s=1}{\overset{3}{}}\phi _s(I)\right)\left(\underset{s=1}{\overset{3}{}}\psi _s(I)\right)\right)=\underset{s=1}{\overset{3}{}}\{z_s\}$$

is valid. Therefore, everyone from the sets

$$\phi _{s_1}(I)\phi _{s_2}(I)\psi _{s_1}(I)\psi _{s_2}(I),s_1s_2$$

is homeomorphic to a circle.

The set

$$^2\backslash \left(\underset{s=1}{\overset{3}{}}(\phi _s(I)\psi _s(I))\right)$$

falls into the three connected components $`U_1`$, $`U_2`$, $`U_3`$, two of which are homeomorphic to the open two-dimensional disk and third is not limited.

As

$$\left(\underset{s=1}{\overset{3}{}}(\phi _s(I)\psi _s(I))\right)\stackrel{~}{W}=\mathrm{},$$

then there exists $`j\{1,2,3\}`$ such that $`\stackrel{~}{W}U_j`$. But it is impossible because everyone from the sets $`ClU_s`$, $`s=1,2,3`$ contains exactly two from the points $`z_1`$, $`z_2`$, $`z_3`$.

So, we have proved that the set $`\stackrel{~}{W}D`$ consists not more than from two points. Therefore, $`z\stackrel{~}{W}`$ and $`\epsilon >0`$ could be found to comply the inclusion $`U_\epsilon (z)IntD`$.

The set

$$\stackrel{~}{W}U_\epsilon (z)\left(\underset{i=1}{\overset{n}{}}IntV_i\right)IntD$$

is connected since $`\stackrel{~}{W}_{i=1}^nV_i`$ and the sets $`\stackrel{~}{W}`$, $`U_\epsilon (z)`$, $`_{i=1}^nIntV_i`$ are connected.

By virtue of arbitrariness in a choice of $`\stackrel{~}{W}`$, the set $`IntD`$ is connected.

Applying to $`D`$ theorem 3 we conclude that this set is homeomorphic to the closed two-dimensional disk. ∎

###### of theorem 2.

Let $`in_i:I^2S^2`$, $`i=1,\mathrm{},n`$ be the inclusion maps, $`in_i(I^2)=V_i`$.

Without loss of a generality, it is possible to assume that a North Pole $`s_0`$ of $`S^2`$ lies in $`W`$.

Consider a stereographic projection

$$f:S^2\{s_0\}^2.$$

As is known, this map is a homeomorphism. Since $`V_iS^2\{s_0\}`$, $`i=1,\mathrm{},n`$ and the set $`S^2\{s_0\}`$ is open in $`S^2`$, the compositions

$$In_i=fin_i:I^2^2,i=1,\mathrm{},n$$

are continuous and are one-to-one. The set $`I^2`$ is compact, therefore maps $`In_i`$, $`i=1,\mathrm{},n`$ are imbeddings. Sign $`\widehat{V}_i=f(V_i)=In_i(I^2)`$, $`i=1,\mathrm{},n`$.

From a mutual uniqueness of map $`f`$ follows that

$$f(\underset{i=1}{\overset{n}{}}IntV_i)=\underset{i=1}{\overset{n}{}}f(IntV_i)=\underset{i=1}{\overset{n}{}}Int\widehat{V}_i.$$

The set $`_{i=1}^nInt\widehat{V}_i`$ is connected as an image of a connected set at a continuous map.

So, family $`\widehat{V}_1,\mathrm{},\widehat{V}_n`$ satisfies to conditions of theorem 1.

Consider an open set $`W^{}=W\{s_0\}S^2`$. It is easy to see that $`W^{}=W\{s_0\}`$ and $`s_0`$ is an isolated point of the boundary of $`W^{}`$.

Denote $`\widehat{W}=f(W^{})^2`$. Obviously, $`\widehat{W}`$ is the unique unlimited connected component of a set $`^2_{i=1}^n\widehat{V}_i`$. Applying theorem 1, we conclude that a set $`^2\widehat{W}`$ is homeomorphic to the closed two-dimensional disk, and it’s boundary $`(^2\widehat{W})=\widehat{W}`$ is homeomorphic to a circle $`S^1`$. From this immediately follows, that the set $`W=f^1(\widehat{W})`$ of the limit points of $`W`$ is homeomorphic to a circle.

From theorem 4 it immediately follows that the set $`W`$ divides $`S^2`$ into two opened connected components and for each of these components it’s closure is homeomorphic to the closed two-dimensional disk. Consequently, the set $`ClW`$ is homeomorphic to the closed two-dimensional disk. ∎