Complete separation in the random and Cohen models (Q639704)

A subset \(A\) of a topological space \(X\) is said to be \(C\)-embedded in \(X\) if every real-valued continuous function on \(A\) extends continuously over \(X\), and is said to be \(C^\ast\)-embedded in \(X\) if every bounded real-valued continuous function on \(A\) extends continuously over \(X\). In this paper, the authors prove that in the model obtained by adding \(\kappa\) many random reals, where \(\kappa\) is a supercompact cardinal, every \(C^\ast\)-embedded subset of a first countable space (even with character smaller than \(\kappa\)) is \(C\)-embedded. They also prove that if two ground model sets are completely separated after adding random reals, then they were completely separated originally, but CH implies that the Cohen poset does not have this property. The reviewer and K. Yamazaki asked whether every \(C^\ast\)-embedded subset of a first countable space is \(C\)-embedded in [\textit{E. Pearl}, Open problems in topology. II. Amsterdam: Elsevier (2007; Zbl 1158.54300)]. \textit{J. Kulesza, R. Levy} and \textit{P. J. Nyikos} [Trans. Am. Math. Soc. 324, 293--302 (1991; Zbl 0732.54014)] proved that if \({\mathfrak b}={\mathfrak s}={\mathfrak c}\), then there is a maximal almost disjoint family \({\mathcal R}\) of infinite subsets of \({\mathbb N}\) such that every countable set of non-isolated points of the space \({\mathbb N}\cup{\mathcal R}\) is \(C^\ast\)-embedded. Since every set of non-isolated points of \({\mathbb N}\cup{\mathcal R}\) is discrete and \({\mathbb N}\cup{\mathcal R}\) is pseudocompact, those countable sets are not \(C\)-embedded. They also proved that, if the PMEA holds, then there is no infinite discrete \(C^\ast\)-embedded subset of a pseudocompact space of character smaller than \({\mathfrak c}\). The result in this paper shows that in the model obtained by adding supercompact many random reals, the question has a positive answer with no extra assumptions needed. It is well known that this model satisfies the PMEA.