Convex hull is the smallest convex set containing Ω

co(Ω) is convex, contains Ω, and lies in every convex superset of Ω
Convex hull is the smallest convex set containing Ω

Proposition. For any set ΩX\Omega\subset X in a real vector space, the co(Ω)\mathrm{co}(\Omega) satisfies:

  1. co(Ω)\mathrm{co}(\Omega) is .
  2. Ωco(Ω)\Omega\subset \mathrm{co}(\Omega).
  3. If CC is convex and ΩC\Omega\subset C, then co(Ω)C\mathrm{co}(\Omega)\subset C.

Context. This states precisely that co(Ω)\mathrm{co}(\Omega) is the minimal convex superset of Ω\Omega.

Proof sketch. By construction, co(Ω)\mathrm{co}(\Omega) is an intersection of convex sets containing Ω\Omega, so it contains Ω\Omega and is contained in each such set. Convexity follows from closure of convexity under intersections.