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Questions tagged [metric-spaces]

A metric space is a pair $(X,d)$, where $X$ is a set and $d:X \times X \to \mathbb{R}$ satisfies the following conditions for all $x,y,z \in X$. (Symmetry) $d(x,y)=d(y,x)$. (Identity of Indiscernibles) $d(x,y)=0$ if and only if $x=y$. (Triangle Inequality) $d(x,y)+d(y,z) \geq d(x,z)$.

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3 votes
1 answer
161 views

Equivalent definition for Skorokhod metric

I have a question about the Skorokod distance on the space $\mathcal{D}([0,1],\mathbb{R})$: $$ d(X,Y):= \inf_{\lambda \in \Lambda}\left( \sup_{t\in [0,1]}|t-\lambda(t)|\vee \sup_{t\in [0,1]}|X(t)-Y(\...
0 votes
0 answers
117 views

Example of a metrizable space that is not an ANR

I have been looking for an example of a metrizable space that is not an absolute neighborhood retract (ANR). Recall that a metrizable space $X$ is called an ANR if there exists an open set $U$ in a ...
32 votes
3 answers
2k views

A funny metric over $\mathbb{N}$

$\DeclareMathOperator{\lcm}{lcm}$ Fiddling with numbers I realized that for positive integers $x$ and $y$, the quantity $$\Vert x,y \Vert=\frac{\lcm(x,y)}{\gcd(x,y)}$$ has these properties: $\Vert x,...
0 votes
1 answer
94 views

Kähler metric on the projective space

"Is there a Kähler metric on the complex projective space $\mathbb {P} ^n(\mathbb {C} ) $ different from the Fubini-Study metric?
0 votes
0 answers
97 views

What is a metric for weak convergence of finite measures on a non compact, complete and separable metric space?

Consider the set of finite positive measures on a complete, separable, but not compact, metric space $S$, endowed with the topology under which a sequence of finite positive measures $\{\mu_n\}$ ...
9 votes
4 answers
4k views

Is the space of Radon measures a Polish space or at least separable?

Background: I work on a SPDE problem where in order to apply Prokhorov's theorem I need that some measure space is Polish space. And additionaly it would be good if that space is Banach space. Earlier ...
1 vote
1 answer
162 views

Divergence functions in hyperbolic groups

Gromov hyperbolicity has many characterizations, one of them being the existence of a super-linear divergence function, see definition below. We note that in $\mathbb{R}^2$ there is no divergence ...
3 votes
0 answers
239 views

Metrizing pointwise convergence of *sequences* of functionals in a dual space

This question was asked by myself on the math stackexchange a few days ago. I thought I'd repeat it here: Let $X$ be a normed, real vector space of uncountable dimension. Let $X^*$ denote the set of ...
2 votes
2 answers
297 views

Density of subsequences in Bolzano-Weierstrass

Let $(M, d)$ be a metric space and $K$ compact. It is known that $K$ is sequentially compact, so we can "run" Bolzano-Weierstrass on it. I want to identify the set $\mathcal{F}$ of all ...
4 votes
0 answers
197 views

Compactness of the unit ball in the space of Radon measures w.r.t. the Kantorovich-Rubinstein norm

This question was posted previously but has not attracted any responses so I am repharising it in a slightly different language hoping to reach a wider community Let $(X,d)$ be a pointed metric space ...
13 votes
2 answers
765 views

Smooth Urysohn's lemma on Fréchet spaces

Let $V$ be a Fréchet topological vector space. Let $K_0$ and $K_1$ be two closed subsets which are disjoint. I wish to show the existence of a Fréchet-smooth function $f:V\to [0,1]$ whose restriction ...
7 votes
0 answers
150 views

The space of analytic associative operations

This question is a follow-up to this old one of mine. Let $\mathcal{A}$ be the set of functions $\star:\mathbb{R}^2\rightarrow\mathbb{R}$ which are associative and $C^\omega$ (real analytic entire) in ...
0 votes
1 answer
281 views

Does there always exists a path $g:[0,1] \rightarrow X$ from $f(0)$ to $f(1)$ that has the same image as $f$ and …?

Suppose $(X,d)$ is a metric space and $f:[0,1] \rightarrow X$ is a path in $X$ with non-zero finite length $L$. Then, does there always exist a path $g:[0,1] \rightarrow X$ from $f(0)$ to $f(1)$ that ...
2 votes
2 answers
226 views

A property for maps between metric spaces

Let $X, Y$ be metric spaces with distance functions denoted by $d_X, d_Y$ respectively. Consider a map $f \colon X \rightarrow Y$. I am interested in the following property: for every $x,y,z \in X$, ...
1 vote
0 answers
178 views

Trans-universality for finite-dimensional Banach space

In addition to a specific problem Trans-universality for finitely generated groups, I posted also its general form. It should not hurt to provide another special case: QUESTION: does there exist a ...
0 votes
1 answer
238 views

Trans-universality for finitely generated groups

QUESTION: does there exist a group U such that three conditions hold: (a) every finitely generated group is isomorphic to a subgroup of U; (b) for every group G that is not finitely generated there ...
1 vote
1 answer
116 views

Do Gromov hyperbolic spaces admit concical geodesic bicombings?

Consider a metric space $(X,d)$ with a distinguished selection of geodesics, i.e. a geodesic bicombing $\sigma:X\times X\times [0,1]\rightarrow X$. We call a geodesic bicombing conical if it ...
1 vote
1 answer
276 views

Defining area / n-volume of a finite metric space

Let $(X, d)$ be a finite metric space. I've seen several answers to the question when can $X$ be isometrically embedded into Euclidean space (or, more generally, Riemannian manifold). I'm interested ...
2 votes
1 answer
46 views

Complexity for determining whether a given metric space is hyperconvex?

Suppose I am given a finite metric space as a distance matrix. What is the complexity of determining whether this metric space is hyperconvex? Definition: A metric space is said to be hyperconvex if ...
1 vote
1 answer
44 views

Graphs admitting an 1-Lipschitz map from edge mid-points to vertices

Let $G=(V,E)$ be a graph. A 1-Lipschitz vertex projection is a map $p: E \to V$ such that $p(e)$ is always an end-vertex of $e$, and if $e,f$ have a common end-vertex, then $p(e)$ and $p(f)$ coincide ...
1 vote
0 answers
30 views

Can we modify this extended pseudometric such that its convergence is equivalent to that in measure?

Below we use Bochner measurability and Bochner integral. Let $(X, \mathcal A, \mu)$ be a complete $\sigma$-finite measure space, $(E, | \cdot |)$ a Banach space, $S (X)$ the space of $\mu$-simple ...
2 votes
0 answers
292 views

Best way to hang a lampshade

I have a lampshade which looks like a demi-sphere but with irregular border. The goal is to hang it to the ceiling so that the border looks as horizontal as possible. In order to formalize this, let ...
1 vote
0 answers
87 views

Is this metric on the space of $\mu$-measurable functions complete?

Below we use Bochner measurability and Bochner integral. Let $(X, \mathcal A, \mu)$ be a complete finite measure space, $(E, | \cdot |)$ a Banach space, $S (X)$ the space of $\mu$-simple functions ...
4 votes
1 answer
210 views

Bi-Lipschitz embeddings of compact doubling spaces

Suppose that $(X,\rho)$ is a compact doubling metric space. Does there necessarily exist an $\epsilon>0$ and a maximal $\epsilon$-net $\{x_i\}_{i=1}^n\subseteq X$ such that the map $$ \begin{...
1 vote
1 answer
97 views

Expected value of the projective metric between random orthogonal Stiefel matrices in $\mathbb{R}^{N \times k}$ equals $1 - \frac{k}{N}$

This is a cross-post from this other question that I asked ~1 month ago in the mathematics forum, with no reaction. I am still stuck on this, looking for references or approaches to proofs. I hope I ...
1 vote
0 answers
126 views

Absolute continuity of the volume growth in a metric space

Let $(M,d)$ be a metric space (separable, complete, better?) and let $\mu$ be a ($\sigma$-additive, positive, locally finite, regular?) Borel measure on $M$. For $x\in M$ consider the volume growth ...
3 votes
0 answers
61 views

Isometric embedding of 4-element metric spaces into Riemannian manifolds and the curvature

I came across this question Preferred embedding of finite metric spaces in riemaniann manifolds of given dimension. In one of the answers it was stated that it is always possible to isometrically ...
0 votes
1 answer
131 views

Is this a smooth approximation to the $\ell$-infinity distance actually a quasi-metric?

The $\|\cdot\|_{\infty}$-norm on $\mathbb{R}^n$ for $n\in \mathbb{Z}^+$ is not a smooth function. However, I came across this post which essentially says that a pointwise approximation to the maximum ...
2 votes
0 answers
48 views

The world of non-weak*-topologies on $\mathcal{P}(X)$

Let $X$ be a metrizable space and consider $\mathcal{P}(X)$, the set of all probability measures on $X$. Typically, the weak*-topology is considered on $\mathcal{P}(X)$, which is a very natural ...
5 votes
1 answer
198 views

Iterating the dimensional kernel of a metric space

Fix $n\in \mathbb N$. Let $X$ be a separable metric space of (inductive) dimension $n$. Let \begin{align} \Lambda(X)&=\{x\in X:X\text{ is $n$-dimensional at }x\}\\ \\ \Lambda^2(X)&=\Lambda(\...
13 votes
0 answers
818 views

Covering number estimates for Hölder balls

Let $\alpha \in (0,1]$, $r>0$ and $L>0$, and positive intwgers $n$ and $m$. The Arzela-Ascoli Theorem guarantees that the set $X(\alpha,L,r)$ of $f:[-1,1]^n\rightarrow [-r,r]^m$ with $\alpha$-...
0 votes
1 answer
115 views

Generalized Triangle Inequality for Snowflakes

Let $p>0$ and consider a metric space $(X,d)$. I have recently come across a problem where the space $(X,d^q)$ provides is natural; where $q>1$. However, the triangle inquality break (i.e. it ...
1 vote
0 answers
125 views

Do cycle graphs embed isometrically in spheres?

I recently came across, what seems to be a folklore. Namely, that cycle graphs embeds isometrically into spheres $S^n(r)$, for some $n\in \mathbb{N}_+$ and some $r>0$. However, I could not track ...
2 votes
0 answers
47 views

Maximal cliques in neighborhood graphs of partial $k$-trees (bounded treewidth)

Background My question is about a generalization of the following situation: Let $M$ be a finite metric space. Given $r>0$, the $r$-neighborhood graph $N(M)_r$ has vertex set $M$ and an edge $\{x,y\...
3 votes
0 answers
69 views

Is every weakly $1$-dimensional space embeddable in the plane?

A $1$-dimensional (separable metric) space $X$ is weakly $1$-dimensional if $$\Lambda(X)=\{x\in X:X\text{ is 1-dimensional at }x\}$$ is zero-dimensional (i.e. the space $\Lambda(X)$ has a basis of ...
6 votes
0 answers
155 views

Metric spaces containing a topological disc

It is well-known that every connected, locally connected compact metrizable space $X$ contains an arc, that is, a subspace homeomorphic to $[0,1]$. Are there topological properties we can add to these ...
4 votes
1 answer
104 views

Generalization of a bounded variation

Let $(X, d)$ be a metric space. We will say that $\gamma \colon [a,b] \to X$ is of bounded variation, if \begin{equation} V(\gamma) = \sup_{a=t_0 < \cdots < t_n < b} \sum_{i=1}^n d( \gamma(...
1 vote
0 answers
62 views

What's the best arrangement of solid objects for providing shade?

Let's say we have a horizontal roof and the sun is going to go from 0 to some number of degrees on the horizon. We wish to arrange solid objects above the roof to completely block out the sun across ...
15 votes
1 answer
1k views

In ZF, when is a disjoint union of metrizable spaces metrizable?

It is easy to see that the disjoint union $\bigsqcup_i X_i$ of a collection of metric spaces is metrizable, simply by rescaling or chopping off the individual metrics to have diameter at most one, and ...
1 vote
0 answers
48 views

Metrics on paths in digraphs

I'm looking for metrics (or even just symmetric dissimilarities) on finite paths in finite digraphs but not finding anything in the literature. Can anyone point me to references? I've looked in Deza ...
2 votes
0 answers
74 views

Is there a literature name for this concept of a "graded metric"?

Given a space $X$, I have been thinking about a function $d\colon X \times X \times \mathbb{N} \to \mathbb{R}_{\geq 0}$ (i.e. with values that are nonnegative reals) with the properties below. One may ...
1 vote
1 answer
112 views

Changing a metric to that 2 points have different distance

Let $X$ be a compact metric space. Assume that $X$ has more than $2$ points (or even better, that $X$ is connected with more than 1 point). Given a metric $d$ on $X$ we define $$d(x,X)=\max\{d(x,z):z\...
2 votes
0 answers
131 views

Regularity of $\sigma$-finite measure pushforwarded by completion

Let $(X, d)$ be a metric space. Let $\mu$ be a $\sigma$-finite measure defined on borel subsets of $X$. Let $i \colon X \to \hat{X}$ be an isometry on image, where $\hat{X}$ is a complete metric space ...
3 votes
1 answer
132 views

If $X,X'$ have the same $\varepsilon$-packing numbers and $f:X \to X'$ surjective $1$-Lipschitz, then $f$ is an isometry

Let $(X, d)$ be a compact metric space. We say that $\{x_1, \cdots, x_n\} \subseteq X$ is an $\varepsilon$-covering of $X$ if for any $x \in X$, there exists $i \in \{1, \ldots, n\}$ such that $d(x, ...
5 votes
1 answer
129 views

Are normal metric currents dense in the space of all metric currents?

It is classical that Euclidean normal currents are dense in the space of all currents. This can be achieved through mollification. What I want to know if this is still true for metric currents. In ...
2 votes
1 answer
139 views

Are two metric spaces isometric if they have the same $\varepsilon$-covering and $\varepsilon$-packing numbers for all $\varepsilon>0$?

Let $(X, d)$ be a compact metric space. We say that $\{x_1, \cdots, x_n\} \subseteq X$ is an $\varepsilon$-covering of $X$ if for any $x \in X$, there exists $i \in \{1, \ldots, n\}$ such that $d(x, ...
2 votes
1 answer
259 views

Are two metric spaces isometric if they have the same $\varepsilon$-covering numbers for all $\varepsilon>0$?

Let $(E, d)$ be a metric space. For $\varepsilon>0$, we define two notions of $\varepsilon$-covering number as follows, i.e., $N_\varepsilon^o (E)$ is the smallest number of open balls whose radii ...
4 votes
1 answer
292 views

Is every 1-Lipschitz homeomorphism $f:X\to X$ from a compact metric space to itself an isometry?

I found a statement involving a homeomorphism $f:X\to X$ of a compact metric space $X$, with Lipshitz coefficient 1, i.e., a non-expansive map, and cannot think of an example where $f$ is not an ...
3 votes
1 answer
150 views

Is this map (from the space of probability densities to the Wasserstein space) Lipschitz?

Let $p \in [1, \infty)$. Let $\mathcal P_p(\mathbb R^d)$ be the space of all Borel probability measures on $\mathbb R^d$ with finite $p$-th moments. Let $D_p$ be the collection of all Borel measurable ...
15 votes
1 answer
684 views

Is the topology generated by this weaker notion of a metric necessarily metrisable?

The triangle inequality seems much stronger than necessary for a lot of analysis. So I will define a "loose metric" on a set $X$ to be a function $d \colon X \times X \to [0,\infty)$ with ...

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