On generators for Borel sets (Q1101565)

Let \({\mathcal F}_ 0\) be a family of open intervals in \({\mathbb{R}}\). Correcting an error of \textit{K. P. S. Bhaskara Rao} and \textit{B. V. Rao} [Diss. Math. 190, 62 p. (1981; Zbl 0472.28002)], several examples are presented to show that the set of endpoints of the members of \({\mathcal F}_ 0\) does not determine whether \({\mathcal F}_ 0\) generates the \(\sigma\)-algebra \({\mathcal B}_{{\mathbb{R}}}\) of Borel subsets of \({\mathbb{R}}\). Next, it is proved that \({\mathcal F}_ 0\) generates \({\mathcal B}_{{\mathbb{R}}}\) iff \({\mathcal F}_ 0\) separates points in \({\mathbb{R}}\). Several related generation problems are also discussed.