Proving that two metrics are topologically equivalent

  • Thread starter Thread starter mahler1
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Equivalent
Click For Summary
The discussion revolves around proving that the metric defined as d'(x,y) = d(f(x),f(y)) is a valid distance and is topologically equivalent to the original metric d in the metric space (X,d). The initial steps demonstrate that d' satisfies the properties of a metric, including non-negativity, identity of indiscernibles, symmetry, and the triangle inequality. The main challenge lies in establishing the topological equivalence, which requires showing that the identity function is continuous in both directions between the metrics d and d'. The continuity is established using the properties of the function f, which is injective, continuous, and open. Ultimately, the proof hinges on demonstrating that open sets in one metric correspond to open sets in the other, confirming their topological equivalence.
mahler1
Messages
217
Reaction score
0
Homework Statement .

Let ##(X,d)## a metric space and ##f: X→X## an injective, continuous and open function. We define ##d' : XxX→ \mathbb R_{≥0}## as ##d'(x,y)=d(f(x),f(y))##. Prove that ##d'## defines a distance and that ##d'## is topologically equivalent to ##d##.

The attempt at a solution.

Here's the first part: using the fact that d is a distance, we have that
1)##d'(x,y)=d(f(x),f(y))≥0##
2)##d'(x,y)=0## iff ##d(f(x),f(y))=0## iff ##f(x)=f(y)##, ##f## is injective, so ##x=y##.
3)##d'(x,y)=d(f(x),f(y))=d(f(y),f(x))=d'(y,x)##
4)##d'(x,y)=d(f(x),f(y))≤d(f(x),f(z)+d(f(z),f(y))=d'(x,z)+d(z,y)##

As you can see, this is the easy part. I got stuck trying to prove that ##d'## and ##d## are topologically equivalent. To prove this, I should take an open set in ##(X,d)## and prove it is also open in ##(X,d')##. Then, I should take an open set in ##(X,d')## and prove it's open with the metric ##d##. So let ##U## be an open set with ##d'##. Let ##x \in U##, then, there exists ##r_x>0## such that ##B_d(x,r_x) \subset U##. How can I get the appropiate radius ##r'_x## to find a ball ##B_d'(x,r'_x)## is included in ##U##?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
mahler1 said:
Homework Statement .

Let ##(X,d)## a metric space and ##f: X→X## an injective, continuous and open function. We define ##d' : XxX→ \mathbb R_{≥0}## as ##d'(x,y)=d(f(x),f(y))##. Prove that ##d'## defines a distance and that ##d'## is topologically equivalent to ##d##.

The attempt at a solution.

Here's the first part: using the fact that d is a distance, we have that
1)##d'(x,y)=d(f(x),f(y))≥0##
2)##d'(x,y)=0## iff ##d(f(x),f(y))=0## iff ##f(x)=f(y)##, ##f## is injective, so ##x=y##.
3)##d'(x,y)=d(f(x),f(y))=d(f(y),f(x))=d'(y,x)##
4)##d'(x,y)=d(f(x),f(y))≤d(f(x),f(z)+d(f(z),f(y))=d'(x,z)+d(z,y)##

As you can see, this is the easy part. I got stuck trying to prove that ##d'## and ##d## are topologically equivalent. To prove this, I should take an open set in ##(X,d)## and prove it is also open in ##(X,d')##. Then, I should take an open set in ##(X,d')## and prove it's open with the metric ##d##. So let ##U## be an open set with ##d'##. Let ##x \in U##, then, there exists ##r_x>0## such that ##B_d(x,r_x) \subset U##. How can I get the appropiate radius ##r'_x## to find a ball ##B_d'(x,r'_x)## is included in ##U##?

Two metrics d and d' are topologically equivalent if and only if the identity function is both (d,d')-continuous and (d',d)-continuous.

The identity is (d,d')-continuous at x \in X if and only if for every \epsilon > 0 there exists \delta > 0 such that for all y \in X, if d(x,y) < \delta then d'(x,y) < \epsilon.

The identity is (d',d)-continuous at x \in X if and only if for every \epsilon > 0 there exists \delta > 0 such that for all y \in X, if d'(x,y) < \delta then d(x,y) < \epsilon.

At some point you should expect to use the facts that f is continuous and open (both with respect to d), neither of which you have yet used.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Likes 1 person
pasmith said:
Two metrics d and d' are topologically equivalent if and only if the identity function is both (d,d')-continuous and (d',d)-continuous.

I think I could do it with the property you've suggested:

First, I'll show that ##Id:(X,d)→(X,d')## is continuous.
Let ##x \in X## and let ##ε>0##. We know that ##f## is continuous, so, for that given ##ε##, there exists ##δ_{x,ε}## such that ##d(x,y)< δ_{x,ε}##→##d(f(x),f(y))<ε##. But then, ##d'(x,y)=d(f(x),f(y))<ε##. This shows the identity from ##(X,d)## to ##(X,d')## is continuous.

Now it remains to prove that ##Id:(X,d')→(X,d)## is continuous. So let ##x \in X## and let ##ε>0##. We know f is open, so ##f(B(x,ε))## is an open set in ##(X,d)##. This means that there exists ##δ'## such that ##B_{d}(f(x),δ') \subset f(B_{d}(x,ε))##. If ##d'(x,y)=d(f(x),f(y))<δ'####→ f(y) \in f(B_{d}(x,ε)) → y \in B_{d}(x,ε) → d(x,y)<ε##
 
Question: A clock's minute hand has length 4 and its hour hand has length 3. What is the distance between the tips at the moment when it is increasing most rapidly?(Putnam Exam Question) Answer: Making assumption that both the hands moves at constant angular velocities, the answer is ## \sqrt{7} .## But don't you think this assumption is somewhat doubtful and wrong?

Similar threads

  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
4K
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
3K
Replies
3
Views
2K
Replies
20
Views
4K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
2K
Replies
23
Views
3K
Replies
5
Views
2K
Replies
2
Views
1K
Replies
9
Views
3K
  • · Replies 0 ·
Replies
0
Views
416