Forgot some defintions on norms

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the definitions and differences between various vector norms: ||v||_1, ||v||_2, and ||v||_∞. Participants explore these norms in the context of both finite and infinite dimensional spaces, with implications for numerical analysis and functional analysis.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants assert that the norms are standard, particularly in finite dimensional spaces, where ||v||_∞ is the maximum absolute value of the components, ||v||_1 is the sum of absolute values, and ||v||_2 is the square root of the sum of squares.
  • Others argue that the norms are not standard in the context of the original question, which was framed around a numerical analysis exam focused on R^n, leading to confusion about their applicability to infinite dimensional spaces.
  • One participant points out that the norms are also defined for infinite dimensional function spaces, providing definitions for both L_n norms and their use in various contexts.
  • Another participant highlights the practical implications of using different norms in numerical analysis, noting that the L_2 norm is commonly used for lines of best fit, while the L_1 norm is less sensitive to outliers.
  • There is a discussion about the appropriateness of different norms for various applications, with some suggesting that the L_∞ norm may be more suitable in cases where outliers are a concern.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the standardization of the norms, with some agreeing that they are standard in certain contexts while others maintain that the definitions can vary significantly based on the dimensionality of the space and the specific applications being discussed. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the general applicability of these norms.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the definitions and applications of the norms can depend heavily on the context, such as whether the discussion pertains to finite or infinite dimensional spaces, and that assumptions about the audience's background knowledge may lead to misunderstandings.

Zurtex
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Hi, I've got an exam tomorrow and I completely forgot the difference between the vector norms:

[tex]|| \text{v} ||_1 \quad{and} \quad || \text{v} ||_2 \quad{and} \quad || \text{v} ||_\infty[/tex]

Any help would be greatly appreciated.
 
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I don't think they are standard.

A gues would be,

|v|_n is the n'th roots of the sum nth powers of the absolute values of the components.If they were function spaces then that would make sense, in integrals. Infinity ought to mean the abs value of the largest component, or the sup norm.
 
Matt! Of course they are standard.

In a finite dimensional space, [itex]||v||\infty= max |v_i|[/itex], the largest component, in absolute value, of v.

In an infinite dimensional, function space, [itex]||v||_\infnty= max(|v(x)|)[/itex] where the max is over whatever compact set v(x) is defined on.

In a finite dimensional space [itex]||v||_1= \Sigma |v_i|[/itex].
In an infinite dimensional, function space, [itex]||v||_1= \int |v(x)|dx[/itex] where the integral is over the set v(x) is defined on.

In a finite dimensioal space [itex]||v||_2= \sqrt{\Sigma (v_i)^2}[/itex].
in an infinite dimensional, function space, [itex]||v||_2= \sqrt{\int (v(x))^2 dx}[/itex]
 
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Much thanks :smile:

Always seem to forget them as most the manipulation needed doesn't require their actual definitions but rather the properties they have. Should help for later today :biggrin:
 
HallsofIvy said:
Matt! Of course they are standard.

you live and you learn.

In a finite dimensional space, [itex]||v||\infty= max |v_i|[/itex], the largest component, in absolute value, of v.
In an infinite dimensional, function space, [itex]||v||_\infnty= max(|v(x)|)[/itex] where the max is over whatever compact set v(x) is defined on.
In a finite dimensional space [itex]||v||_1= \sum |v_i|[/itex].
In an infinite dimensional, function space, [itex]||v||_1= \int |v(x)|dx[/itex] where the integral is over the set v(x) is defined on.
In a finite dimensioal space [itex]||v||_2= \sqrt{\sum (v_i)^2}[/itex].
in an infinite dimensional, function space, [itex]||v||_2= \sqrt{\int (v(x))^2 dx}[/itex]
So they are what i said they ought to be.

I certainly agree that || ||_n is a standard norm on the space of functions on some space, but that information wasn't given in the post, was it? I personally have never seen || ||_n used on ordinary finite dimensional vector spaces. If the question had said norms on Banach spaces then I'd not've been confused. In anycase, topologically the norms on a finite dimensional vector space are all the same.
 
Have to I say I am a little confused by what you mean there Matt, this was just for a Topics in Numrical Analysis exam and the vectors were just in R^n.
 
Ah! Matt's point is that you didn't tell us that! The norms are also defined for infinite dimensional spaces. I gave the definitions in that case for function spaces Ln(C) but they might also be given for the "little l" spaces ln (infinite sequences of numbers).

Since I now understand that that was the sense in which Matt meant they were "not standard", I must say that I agree with him.
 
Oh I see, much apology, I didn't know they were defined for such thing. Bit hard to know there is a generality when you’ve only been taught very specifics.
 
If it's numerical analysis then there was no chance of me knowing the standard nomenclature, and I can stop worrying that something passed me by. (I know there are interpolations, householder rotations and that's about it, pivots too, perhaps.) I can see why they'd want to use different norms now. For instance, lines of best fit on graphs minimize the | |_2 norm, and not the | |_1 norm, so it starts to make sense.

In general the 'n' norms will make me think of functional analytic beasts, which is why I got confused about the references to (what I presumed were finite dimensional) vector spaces.
 
  • #10
Only one of the [itex]L_n[/itex] norms is particularly conducive to analysis. This is the [itex]L_2[/itex] norm, whose partial derivative derivatives exist and are linear. The [itex]L_2[/itex] norm shines so brightly that analysts are drawn to it like moths to a streetlight.

The [itex]L_2[/itex] norm does not necessarily produce the "best" fit. The [itex]L_1[/itex] norm produces a "better" fit than does the [itex]L_2[/itex] norm for error sources with large outliers because the [itex]L_1[/itex] norm is less sensitive to outliers. In cases where controlling outliers is important, the [itex]L_\infty[/itex] norm produces a "better" fit because this norm is very sensitive to outliers.

By the way, I often am guilty of moth-like behavior. Finding the least-squares fit is easy. Finding some other best fit is much more difficult.
 

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