Usual and taxicab metric topologies

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the comparison of epsilon balls in the taxicab metric and the usual metric. Participants are exploring the relationships between these two types of metric spaces, particularly how one can be contained within the other.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss geometric interpretations of the metrics, with one attempting to show algebraically that a taxicab ball is contained within a usual metric ball. Others are exploring the reverse relationship and questioning how to construct a taxicab metric that encompasses a usual epsilon-ball.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided algebraic attempts to demonstrate the relationships between the two metrics, while others are seeking clarification on how to apply geometric concepts and the triangle inequality to support their arguments. There is an ongoing exploration of different approaches without a clear consensus on the methods to be used.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the constraints of needing to use algebraic methods and are referencing previous discussions for guidance. There is an emphasis on understanding the geometric properties of the metrics involved.

Unassuming
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I am trying to show that an "epsilon ball in the taxicab metric" can be contained in a "epsilon ball in the usual metric".

Let "Up" be a taxicab ball, and "Ud" be a usual metric ball.

How can I show that Up( (x,y) , e ) is a subset of Ud( (x,y), e ) ?



I have drawn the picture and I understand how the taxicab ball is inside. It is a diamond that touches the usual ball on each of the diamond's four corners and is less than everywhere else.

How can I show this algebraically?
 
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I actually figured this out from a previous thread on this forum. Yippee.

I need to show the reverse is true though and I can't it out. I need to show that we can construct a taxicab metric that contains any usual epsilon-ball.
 
Just use geometry again. Now you have a circle inscribed in a diamond instead of vice versa. Neither one is that hard.
 
I have to use algebra... for instance, for the first part I said,

Since

[tex]|x-a| =\sqrt{(x-a)^2} \leq \sqrt{ (x-a)^2 + (y-b)^2 } = \varepsilon[/tex]

and

[tex]|y-b| = \sqrt{(y-b)^2} \leq \sqrt{ (x-a)^2 + (y-b)^2 } = \varepsilon[/tex]

then

[tex]|x-a| + |y-b| \leq 2\varepsilon[/tex]

Let

[tex]k= \frac{1}{2}[/tex]

Then

[tex]k(|x-a| + |y-b|) \leq \varepsilon = \sqrt{ (x-a)^2 + (y-b)^2 }[/tex]
 
Well, I don't know if you can see that latex but this is what I did,

Since |x-a| =\sqrt{(x-a)^2} <= sqrt{ (x-a)^2 + (y-b)^2 } = e

and |y-b| = \sqrt{(y-b)^2} <= \sqrt{ (x-a)^2 + (y-b)^2 } = e

then |x-a| + |y-b| <= 2e

Let k= 1/2. Then k(|x-a| + |y-b|) <= e = \sqrt{ (x-a)^2 + (y-b)^2 }
 
Yes, k=1/2 works fine.
 
Is showing the other way similar? I am not getting anywhere. You said use the traingle inequality. Are we still looking for a constant?
 
Just write down the triangle inequality for the three points (a,b), (x,y) and (x,b).
 

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