Metric space and topology help

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a proof concerning metric spaces and equivalence relations. The original poster is tasked with showing that a certain condition on metrics implies that the equivalence relation is the identity relation.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to establish a relationship between the metrics and the equivalence classes, questioning how to demonstrate that the equivalence relation is reflexive and that it leads to identity.
  • Some participants inquire about the implications of the equivalence relation on the metrics, specifically what it means for the distances to be zero.
  • There are discussions about the implications of the original poster's assumptions and whether the reasoning is correct so far.

Discussion Status

Participants have provided feedback on the original poster's reasoning, indicating that the steps taken are on the right track. There is acknowledgment of the need to show that the equivalence relation leads to identity, but no consensus on the completeness of the proof has been reached.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working within the constraints of a homework assignment, focusing on the properties of metrics and equivalence relations without providing complete solutions. There is an emphasis on proving reflexivity and the relationship between the metrics and equivalence classes.

latentcorpse
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Let (X,d) be a metric space. Show that if there exists a metric d' on X/~ such that
d(x,y) = d'([x],[y]) for all x,y in X
then ~ is the identity equivalence relation, with x~y if and only if x=y.

i have:

assume x=y
then d(x,y)=0 and [x]=[y] which implies d'([x],[y])=0 also.

now assume d(x,y) = d'([x],[y]) for all x,y in X
i now need to show that this implies x=y in order to copmlete the proof but i don't know where to go. any ideas?

thanks.
 
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If x~y, what is d'([x],[y])? How about d(x,y)?
 


rasmhop said:
If x~y, what is d'([x],[y])? How about d(x,y)?

if x~y then d'([x],[y])=d(x,y)=0, right?

was what i had above on the right lines? is it done ok so far?
 


latentcorpse said:
was what i had above on the right lines? is it done ok so far

Yes. In your OP you proved that x=y imply x~y (i.e. ~ is reflexive). In this reply you proved that x~y imply d(x,y)=0. To complete the proof you will have to prove that x~y imply x=y, but since d is a metric you know that d(x,y)=0 imply x=y. Thus you have proven that x=y iff x~y.
 


rasmhop said:
Yes. In your OP you proved that x=y imply x~y (i.e. ~ is reflexive). In this reply you proved that x~y imply d(x,y)=0. To complete the proof you will have to prove that x~y imply x=y, but since d is a metric you know that d(x,y)=0 imply x=y. Thus you have proven that x=y iff x~y.

so in full it is:

assume x=y (want to show x~y)

x=y implies d(x,y)=0 which implies d'([x],[y])=0 which implies [x]=[y] which implies x~y done.

now assume x~y (want to show x=y)

x~y implies [x]=[y] which implies d'([x],[y])=0 which implies d(x,y)=0 which implies x=y done.

therefore x=y iff x~y.
 


Looks fine to me.
 

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