Is the composition of a function and a metric a metric?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the conditions under which a function f, defined as continuous and strictly increasing from [0, ∞) to [0, ∞) with f(0)=0, can create a new metric d'(x,y)=f(d(x,y)) that fails to satisfy the triangle inequality on the real number line. Participants analyze the properties of the standard metric d(x,y)=|x-y| and explore whether the triangle inequality d'(x,y)≤d'(x,z)+d(z,y) can be violated. The consensus is that while positivity and symmetry are preserved, demonstrating a failure of the triangle inequality with a suitable function f remains a complex challenge.

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  • Understanding of metric spaces and their properties
  • Familiarity with continuous functions and their characteristics
  • Knowledge of the triangle inequality in the context of metrics
  • Basic concepts of real analysis, particularly on the real number line
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  • Research specific examples of continuous functions that may violate the triangle inequality
  • Explore the implications of strictly increasing functions on metric properties
  • Study advanced topics in metric space theory, focusing on non-standard metrics
  • Investigate counterexamples in real analysis that demonstrate failures of metric properties
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chipotleaway
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Homework Statement


Given that f is continuous and strictly increasing, f:[0, ∞)->[0, ∞), f(0)=0, and d(x,y) is the standard metric on the real number line,

Is there a function f such that d'(x,y)=f(d(x,y)) is not a metric on the real number line?

The Attempt at a Solution


The standard metric firsts maps (x,y) in R2 to |x-y|, which the function f then takes and maps it to a new 'distance', which preserves order since f is strictly increasing. As far as I can tell, the new metric d'(x,y) satisfies the positivity and symmetry properties of metrics as far as I can tell so I think I need to look at the triangle inequality:
Either showing d'(x,y)≤d'(x,z)+d(z,y) holds, i.e. equivalently, f(|x-y|)≤f(|x-z|)+f(|z-y|)) for all functions satisfying the conditions, or finding an example of such a function where it fails. If the function is strictly increasing - finding f where the triangle doesn't hold seems like it might be pretty tough.
 
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chipotleaway said:

Homework Statement


Given that f is continuous and strictly increasing, f:[0, ∞)->[0, ∞), f(0)=0, and d(x,y) is the standard metric on the real number line,

Is there a function f such that d'(x,y)=f(d(x,y)) is not a metric on the real number line?

The Attempt at a Solution


The standard metric firsts maps (x,y) in R2 to |x-y|, which the function f then takes and maps it to a new 'distance', which preserves order since f is strictly increasing. As far as I can tell, the new metric d'(x,y) satisfies the positivity and symmetry properties of metrics as far as I can tell so I think I need to look at the triangle inequality:
Either showing d'(x,y)≤d'(x,z)+d(z,y) holds, i.e. equivalently, f(|x-y|)≤f(|x-z|)+f(|z-y|)) for all functions satisfying the conditions, or finding an example of such a function where it fails. If the function is strictly increasing - finding f where the triangle doesn't hold seems like it might be pretty tough.

Have you looked for any such functions? What have you tried?
 

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