# Homework Help: Is empty set a metric space?

1. Mar 3, 2012

### julypraise

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
Is empty set a metric space?

2. Relevant equations
None.

3. The attempt at a solution
It seems so because all the metric properties are vacuously satisfied. Mabe the question
had better be put like this: Does mathematicians tend to think empty set as a metric space for some reason such as convenience?

2. Mar 3, 2012

### HallsofIvy

Simple answer- no- because a "set" alone is not a metric space. A metric space consists of a set and a "metric" function. What metric function are you using?

3. Mar 3, 2012

### I like Serena

The empty set combined the empty metric function, which maps nothing since its domain is empty, is indeed a metric space.

For mathematicians this is not so much convenience, but simply a logical consequence of the definition.

4. Mar 3, 2012

### micromass

Note that there is exactly one metric function on the empty set. This is simply the "empty function"

$$d:\emptyset\times \emptyset\rightarrow \mathbb{R}$$

Many people find the empty function a bit awkward, and they are right. To understand it, you must realize the very definition of a function.
A function $f:A\rightarrow B$ is actually defined as a subset S of $A\times B$ which satisfies some properties: the property is that for all x in A, there must exist exactly one y in B such that (x,y) is in S.

Now, our function d should then be a subset of $(\emptyset\times \emptyset)\times \mathbb{R}$, but this is just the empty set again!! So our function d coincides with the empty set. And since the empty set has only one subset, there is only one such function d.

The metric axiom is trivially satisfied.

Last edited: Mar 3, 2012
5. Mar 3, 2012

### I like Serena

Actually, I'm going to have to contradict HallsofIvy.
The empty set is a metric space.

As wiki says: "Often, d is omitted and one just writes M (the set) for a metric space if it is clear from the context what metric is used."

In this case it is clear from the context which metric is used, so you can say that the empty set is a metric space.

6. Mar 3, 2012

### micromass

Wiki is wrong.
A metric space is formally defined as a pair $(X,d)$. The empty set is not such a pair, so it is not a metric space in itself.
Halls was entirely correct in saying that a metric has to be defined first.

I agree that sometimes the metric is not mentioned, but that's informal notation. Pure formally, the empty set is not a metric space. I don't care what wiki says.

7. Mar 3, 2012

### I like Serena

That's like saying that Z/nZ is not a group, but it is (isn't it?).

8. Mar 3, 2012

### micromass

Pure formally, it is not a group.

9. Mar 3, 2012

### I like Serena

Hmm, this is a bit of hairsplitting, but...

If we say: "the empty set is a metric space", this means unambiguously "the ordered pair (∅,d) where d is the uniquely defined metric function ∅x∅→R, is a metric space".

As far as I know, that means that the original statement is true.
Even though it is a bit informal, it is still unambiguously defined and as such true.

I thought that in math we often do not extensively list all required definitions and conditions as long as they are unambiguously clear from the context.
Otherwise that would make math a bit cumbersome.

Last edited: Mar 3, 2012
10. Mar 3, 2012

### micromass

I agree that in practice we would say that "the empty set is a metric space" without trouble. And people say $\mathbb{Z}/n\mathbb{Z}$ is a group without troubles and they're not wrong.

The difference is that this privilege is only there for experienced people. People who just see the subject should be aware that there's a difference between the set and the metric space $\emptyset$.

I'm not arguing that people be hyper-formal, and if somebody writes "$\emptyset$ is a metric space" on an exam, I would not mark it down at all. But you should always be aware of how things are done formally. And pure formally $\emptyset$ is not a metric space.

11. Mar 3, 2012

### I like Serena

I am a bit black and white on this.
In math a statement is either true or false.
As such an ill defined statement is false.

IMO the statement "The empty set is a metric space" is true, since it is well defined and true.
Another true statement is that "The empty set, without any metric attached, is not a metric space", which is of course what you mean.

I do agree that students should be made aware of the distinction, but I think it is wrong to say, even formally, that the statement "The empty set is a metric space" is false.

It's not exactly without trouble.
I've asked students countless times what the operation is belonging to the group Z/nZ, addition or multiplication?
And then get a second blank stare when I asked which related group has multiplication as its operation.

Last edited: Mar 3, 2012
12. Mar 3, 2012

### I like Serena

@micromass: Sorry if I'm a bit of a pain in the butt.

13. Mar 3, 2012

### Office_Shredder

Staff Emeritus
If we're going to split hairs, a function requires a specification of a domain and a codomain, along with a relation, so the class of metrics on the empty set is so large it's not even a set, but I don't see what we've gained

14. Mar 4, 2012

### julypraise

Yes, I kind of assumed that the metric (function) is an empty set. I agree with both the first two replies, including the third. Metric space indeed, strictly speaking, is an ordered pair, not just a set, thus (empty set, empty set) is indeed a metric space according to you guys' answers.