Question about relationship between metrics

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the relationship between metrics in two spaces and the properties of mappings between them, specifically focusing on continuity, homeomorphisms, and isometries. The scope includes theoretical aspects of metric spaces and their mappings.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant seeks to formalize the concept of continuity for a mapping between two metric spaces.
  • Another participant suggests using an epsilon-delta definition of continuity adapted to the respective metrics.
  • A participant questions whether adding bijectivity to the mapping results in a homeomorphism, seeking confirmation.
  • It is noted that for a mapping to be a homeomorphism, the continuity of the inverse function must also be established.
  • One participant expresses confusion regarding the conditions under which a homeomorphism is also an isometry, mentioning the need for a Lipschitz condition.
  • Another participant clarifies that a homeomorphism is an isometry when the pullback metric matches the original metric, referencing a result in Riemannian geometry.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the definitions of continuity and homeomorphism but express differing views on the conditions required for a homeomorphism to be an isometry. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the specific conditions that must be met.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes assumptions about the properties of metrics and mappings that are not fully detailed, such as the implications of bijectivity and continuity of inverses. There is also an unresolved exploration of Lipschitz conditions in relation to isometries.

mnb96
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Hello,
Let X and Y be two spaces equipped respectively with two metrics d_1 and d_2, and let's consider a mapping f:(X,d_1)\rightarrow(Y,d_2)

How can I formalize the fact that for any point x in X, all the points that are "very close" to x (respect to the metric d_1) must be mapped into points in Y that are "very close" to f(x) (with respect to the metric d_2).

Thanks!
 
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You're talking about a continuous mapping f between X and Y. You can express this very similar as (for example) in real analysis (epsilon-delta), only you have to invoke the different metrics into your notation. So, for any given ε > 0 there exists some δ > 0 such that d1(p, x) < δ implies d2(f(p), f(x)) < ε - this means that f is continuous at the point p from X. If f is continuous at any point of X, then it is continuous on X.
 
Ah...I see.
and if I add the requirement that f is bijective I obtain a homeomorphism between X and Y? is it correct?

Thanks a lot.
 
Yes, along with the condition that the inverse of f is continuous too.
 
Now here is a point I am still confused with: when is a homeomorphism between
metric spaces as isometry.? I know every isometry is an isomorphism, but not
the other way around ( I guess the homeo. between (0,1) and R is maybe the
clearest counterexample.). Do we need some sort of Lipschitz condition.?
Anyone know.?
 
Bacle, it's precisely when the pullback metric (if it's a homomorphism, this becomes a metric) agrees with the given metric. It's an interesting result in Riemannian geometry that a homeomorphism which preserves the distance given by the Riemannian metric is actually an isometry (in the Riemannian sense) - in particular, it's smooth.
 

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