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Topology

Section 3.2 Metrizability

“With a metric you can really go to town, otherwise it is just abstract nonsense.”
―Jennifer Tour Chayes

Definition 3.2.1.

A metric on a set \(X\) is a function \(d: X \times X \to \R\) satisfying the following for all \(x,y,z \in X\text{:}\)
  1. \(d(x,y) \geq 0\text{,}\) and \(d(x,y) = 0\) if and only if \(x = y\text{.}\)
  2. \(d(x,y) = d(y,x)\text{.}\)
  3. \(d(x,z) \leq d(x,y) + d(y,z)\text{.}\)
The pair \((X,d)\) is a metric space, and for any \(x,y \in X\) the real number \(d(x,y)\) is the distance from \(x\) to \(y\text{.}\)

Definition 3.2.2.

Let \(d\) be a metric on a set \(X\text{.}\) For any \(p \in X\) and \(r \in \R\) with \(r > 0\text{,}\) the ball of radius \(r\) centered at \(p\) is \(B_{d(p,r)} := \{q \in X | d(p,q) < r\}\text{.}\)
  • The metric basis on \(X\) induced by \(d\) is the collection \(\cB_d := \{B_{d(p,r)} | p \in X \text{ and }r > 0\}\text{.}\)
  • The metric topology on \(X\) induced by \(d\) is the topology \(\cT_d := \cT (\cB_d)\) generated by the metric basis.

Example 3.2.5.

Examples

Definition 3.2.6.

A topological space \((X,\cT_X)\) is metrizable if there is a metric \(d\) on \(X\) such that \(\cT_X = \cT_d\) (where \(\cT_d\) is the metric topology on \(X\) induced by \(d\)).

Interactions with constructions and continuous functions:.

Remark 3.2.9.

Metrizability is not preserved by quotients, continuous images, or continuous preimages.

Interactions with homeomorphism invariants:.