TITLE: Closed and bounded set in $\mathbb{R}^n$ is sequentially compact
QUESTION [5 upvotes]: I want to prove that any closed and bounded set in $\mathbb{R}^n$ is sequentially compact.
Note that I want to prove this without using the Heine-Borel theorem and the equivalence of sequential compactness and compactness. Ah and I can use that any closed and bounded set in $\mathbb{R}$ is sequentially compact.
The way I did it is as follows: Let $S$ be a closed and bounded subset of $\mathbb{R}^n$. Then $\exists a,b \in \mathbb{R}$ such that $S \subseteq [a,b]\times [a,b] \times ...[a,b]$. 
Now I will consider a sequence in $S$.
Let $x_p = (x_p^1, x_p^2,...,x_p^n) \forall p \in  \mathbb{N}$.
Then I will construct $n$ sequences of components of $x_p$.
Let $x^{(i)}=x_1^i,x_2^i...$ 
Then $x^{(1)}\subset [a,b]$, and $[a,b]$ is sequentially compact. so  $x^{(1)}$ has a convergent subsequence.
Now if we denote the indices of this sequence by $t_1,t_2...$ we know that $x^1_{t_1},x^1_{t_2}, x^1_{t_3}...$ converges to some $x$ in $[a,b]$.
Now if we consider  $x^2_{t_1},x^2_{t_2}, x^2_{t_3}...$ it is a sequence in $[a,b]$ a sequentially compact space. So it has a convergent subsequence. Again we take the indices of this subsequence and we consider them to build a subsequence of $x_3$ which converges. 
After we have repeated this procedure $n$ times we are left with $n$ we have found a set of indices $f_1,f_2...$ such that $x^n_{f_1}, x^n_{f_2}...$ converges. But then by construction $x^p_{f_1}, x^p_{f_2}...$ converges $\forall  p \in1..n$ as it is a subsequence of a convergent sequence.
Then $x_{f_1},x_{f_2} ..$ converges (as it is a sequence in  $\mathbb{R}^n$ for which all individual components converge) and as it is included in a closed set, the limit of the sequence is part of the set.
Since we started with an arbitrary sequence, this proves that any closed and bounded set in $\mathbb{R}^n$ is sequentially compact.
Can you please have a look at this and tell me if something is wrong? It seems fine to me, but I really want to get the concept behind sequential compactness. I know that historically it was the first definition of compactness, so I find it important to see how knowledge evolved and how people initially proved it, without using compactness.
Also, please feel free to show me another proof, I am very interested in that as well.
Thank you!

REPLY [2 votes]: Let me give first the definitions:

D A metric space $M$ (or subset of a metric space) is said to be precompact if every sequence in $M$ contains a Cauchy (or fundamental) subsequence.

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D Let $S$ be any subset of $\Bbb R^n$. Given $\epsilon >0$, we say that $N$ is an $\epsilon$-net for $S$ if the set of open balls
$$B_\epsilon(N)=\{B(x,\epsilon):x\in N\}$$
covers $S$. That is, the set of open balls of radius $\epsilon$ centered at the points of $N$ cover $S$.

Now, a theorem by Hausdorff

T Let $P$ be a metric space, $M$ a subset of $P$. Then $P$ is precompact if and only if, given $\epsilon >0$, $P$ contains a finite $\epsilon$-net for $M$.

P Suppose $M$ is precompact. Then given $\epsilon >0$, choose $x_1\in M$. If the point $x_1\in M$ is such that $d(x,x_1)<\epsilon$ for each $x\in M$; $\{x_1\}$ is itself an $\epsilon$-net, and we're done. If there exists points with $d(x,x_1)>\epsilon$, choose as $x_2$ one of these points. If now for every $x\in M$ we have either $d(x,x_1)<\epsilon$ or $d(x,x_1)<\epsilon$ , we're done. Else, continue the process, noting that the distance from each new $x_n$ to the $x_i\; ;1\leq i\leq n-1$ exceeds $\epsilon$. Thus, if the construction fails to terminate after a finite number of steps, we would obtain a sequence $\{x_n\}_{n\in \Bbb N }$ which contains no Cauchy subsequence, contrary to the hypothesis that $M$ is precompact. Thus, the construction must terminate, providing us with a finite $\epsilon$-net, $\{x_1,\dots,x_{\ell}\}$.
Conversely, suppose that for any $\epsilon>0$, $P$ contains a finite $\epsilon$-net for $M$, and let $A$ be any infinite subset of $M$, in particular, a sequence containing infinitely many distinct points of $M$. We can select a Cauchy subsequence as follows. Let $x_0\in A$ be any point, then take $\epsilon =1$ in the condition and cover $A$ with a finite number of balls of radius $1$. One of these balls, say $B_1$, must contain an infinite $A_1$ of $A$. Choose $x_1\in A_1\setminus \{x_0\}$. Choosing $\epsilon = 1/2$; we cover $A_1$ with a finite number of balls of radius $1/2$. One of them, say $B_2$ must contain an infinite subset $A_2$ of $A_1$. Choose $x_2\in A_2\setminus \{x_0,x_1\}$. Continuing this process, we obtain a sequence $A_0\supseteq A_1\supseteq A_2\cdots$, where each $A_n$ is contained in a ball of radius $1/n$ and a sequence of distinct points $x_0,x_1,x_2,\dots$ with $x_n\in A_n$. This sequence is Cauchy, for if $m<n$, $$B_m\supseteq A_m\supseteq A_n$$ which means $$d(x_n,x_m)<\frac 2 m$$Since $2/m\to 0$, we're done. It follows $M$ is precompact.
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Look here for

T Let $S$ be bounded in $\Bbb R^n$. Then $S$ is precompact.

Now, since $\Bbb R^n$ is complete, any Cauchy (sub)sequence will converge. The assumption that the set is closed means the limit $\ell$ will be in such set. Thus, every bounded closed subset of $\Bbb R^n$ contains a convergent subsequence, that is, it is sequentially compact.
NOTE Observe the similarity of the $\implies$ direction of Hausdorff's criterion with the proof of Weiertrass-Bolzano that Ragib suggests.