Arhangel'skiĭ's solution to Alexandroff's problem: a survey (Q2499781)

The author discusses the influence of the celebrated Arhangel'skiǐ theorem -- asserting that for every Hausdorff space \(X\), \(| X| \leq 2^{L(X)\chi(X)}\) -- to the further development of the theory of cardinal invariants. Three directions of generalizations and variations of this theorem are considered: (1) the Lindelöf degree \(L(X)\) or character \(\chi (X)\) is weakened, while the Hausdorff property is fixed, (2) the Hausdorff axiom of separability is strengthened and at the same time the Lindelöf degree (and/or character) is weakened, (3) the cardinality of spaces with compactness-like properties. It is also underlined and demonstrated that the closure method, introduced by Arhangel'skiǐ, became a universal method in the theory of cardinal invariants.