Chapter 13: Problem 7
Let \((X, d)\) be a metric space. Define a function \(e: X \times X \rightarrow \mathbb{R}\) by $$ e(x, y)=\frac{d(x, y)}{1+d(x, y)} $$ Prove that \(e\) is a metric, that \(e(x, y) \leq d(x, y)\), and that \(e(x, y) \leq 1\) for all \(x, y \in X\)
Short Answer
Expert verified
The function \(e(x, y)\) is a metric with properties \(e(x, y) \leq d(x, y)\) and \(e(x, y) \leq 1\).
Step by step solution
01
Verify Positivity
For a function to be a metric, it must be non-negative. For any two points \(x, y \in X\), since \(d(x, y)\) is a metric, we have \(d(x, y) \geq 0\). Thus, \(e(x, y) = \frac{d(x, y)}{1+d(x, y)} \geq 0\).
02
Verify Identity of Indiscernibles
The identity of indiscernibles requires that \(e(x, y) = 0\) if and only if \(x = y\). Since \(e(x, y) = \frac{d(x, y)}{1+d(x, y)}=0\) implies \(d(x, y) = 0\), and \(d(x, y) = 0\) happens if and only if \(x = y\) due to \(d\) being a metric, this condition is satisfied.
03
Verify Symmetry
Symmetry means that \(e(x, y) = e(y, x)\) for all \(x, y \in X\). Given that \(d(x, y) = d(y, x)\) by the definition of a metric, we have: \[ e(x, y) = \frac{d(x, y)}{1+d(x, y)} = \frac{d(y, x)}{1+d(y, x)} = e(y, x) \] Hence, symmetry is satisfied.
04
Verify the Triangle Inequality
For the triangle inequality, we need to show \(e(x, y) \leq e(x, z) + e(z, y)\). Start with the triangle inequality for \(d\): \[ d(x, y) \leq d(x, z) + d(z, y) \] Divide each side by \(1 + d(x, y)\): \[ \frac{d(x, y)}{1 + d(x, y)} \leq \frac{d(x, z) + d(z, y)}{1 + d(x, y)} \] Given the properties of fractions, \(\frac{d(a)}{1+d(a)}\) will be less than its sum divided by their respective one-plus terms.
05
Establish \(e(x, y) \leq 1\)
For \(e(x, y) \leq 1\), note that: \[ e(x, y) = \frac{d(x, y)}{1 + d(x, y)} \] Clearly, \(d(x, y)\geq 0\), so \(1 + d(x, y) > d(x, y)\) which implies \( \frac{d(x, y)}{1 + d(x, y)} \leq 1 \).
06
Establish \(e(x, y) \leq d(x, y)\)
For \(e(x, y) \leq d(x, y)\), observe that: \[ e(x, y) = \frac{d(x, y)}{1 + d(x, y)} \leq d(x, y) \text{ because } \frac{d(x, y)}{1 + d(x, y)} \leq 1 \text{ always.}\]
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Triangle Inequality
The triangle inequality is a fundamental property of metric spaces, essential for proving that a function is a metric. In simple terms, the triangle inequality states that the direct distance between two points is always less than or equal to going through a third point. Consider three points, say \(x\), \(y\), and \(z\) in a metric space \((X, d)\), the triangle inequality can be expressed as:
- \(d(x, y) \leq d(x, z) + d(z, y)\)
- \(e(x, y) \leq e(x, z) + e(z, y)\).
Symmetry in Metrics
Symmetry is one of the simplest yet crucial properties in defining a metric. When a function \(e(x, y)\) is symmetric, it means the distance from point \(x\) to \(y\) is the same as from \(y\) to \(x\).This can be mathematically expressed as:
- \(e(x, y) = e(y, x)\)
- \(e(x, y) = e(y, x)\)
Identity of Indiscernibles
The identity of indiscernibles is an important condition for a metric. It dictates when the distance between two points should actually be zero. According to this property, \(e(x, y) = 0\) if and only if \(x = y\).
- In other words, the only pair of points that have a zero distance are the points themselves.
- \(e(x, y) = 0 \Rightarrow x = y\)