Is d' = d/(d+1) a Valid Metric?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the validity of the proposed metric d' = d/(d+1) based on the properties of a metric space. Participants are exploring whether this transformation maintains the necessary properties of a metric, particularly focusing on the triangle inequality.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are examining the properties of the proposed metric, specifically the triangle inequality, and discussing various approaches to demonstrate its validity. Questions about which parts of the metric definition have been satisfied are raised, along with attempts to manipulate the inequality to prove the necessary conditions.

Discussion Status

Some participants have made progress in demonstrating certain properties of the metric, such as symmetry and non-negativity. However, the triangle inequality remains a challenge, with suggestions of different approaches being discussed. There is acknowledgment of previous attempts and a willingness to revisit earlier ideas.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the constraints of proving all axioms of a metric space, with some referencing past discussions on related topics. There is a mention of a potential oversight in the approach to the triangle inequality, indicating a need for careful consideration of the transformations involved.

Daveyboy
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d is a metric show d'= d/d+1 is a metric

I know d(x,z)[tex]\leq[/tex]d(x,y)+d(y,z). And have been trying to make it fall out of this.

I have been fooling around with the terms but it has not provided to be useful. Any direction would be helpful.
 
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Which parts of the definition of metric have you been able to demonstrate?
 
d'(x,x)=0
d'(x,y)>0
d'(x,y)=d'(y,x)

They follow immediately from d being a metric. But the triangle inequality is providing to be more difficult.
 
I actually saw this problem a bit ago as well. If we let a = d(x,z), b = d(x,y) and c = d(y,z), then we know [itex]a\leq b + c[/itex] and it comes down to proving [itex]\frac{a}{1+a} \leq \frac{b}{1+b} + \frac{c}{1+c},[/itex] which is easy if you just multiply out, I think. Anyways there is probably a nicer way to do this, but I think the above works (I didn't really double check) and suits me.

*EDIT* By the way, I think awhile ago you were trying to prove all of axioms of a metric spaces using only 2 of them. At first I said you had to have a rearrangement of the triangle inequality, but later I realized you could do it using the triangle inequality by switching around a few variables. If you're still interested, I could show you.
 
I figured that one out... eventually. But thanks I'm impressed that you remember.
Ya, that does work, I guess I missed the most obvious approach.
 

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