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Which of the following define a metric on $\mathbb{R}$?

$d_1(x,y) = \frac{|x|-|y|} {1+|x||y|}$

$d_2(x,y) = \sqrt{|x-y|}$

$d_3(x,y) = |f(x)-g(x)|$ where $f:\mathbb{R}\rightarrow \mathbb{R}$ is strictly monotonic increasing function.

Here is my attempt:

$d_1(x,y)$ satisfies all the three conditions.

$d_2(x,y)$ may fail to satisfy triangle inequality.

$d_3(x,y)$ is not a well defined function.

I am not sure whether i am correct or not? I need a proper justifications.

Thanks for giving me time.

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    @srijan What is $g$?$g$ is not in the question. Isn't it $d(x,y)=|f(x)-f(y)|?$. isn't it a question of NBHM?2017-10-25

2 Answers 2

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You’re certainly right about $d_3$, since we’re told absolutely nothing about $g$.

To show that $d_2$ may fail to satisfy the triangle inequality, you need to produce an actual example of such a failure. What if $x=0,y=1/2$, and $z=1$?

You need to take another look at $d_1$: what if $|x|<|y|$?

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    @Brain Thanks again sir. Now things are cleared.2012-05-17
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It was recently pointed out in chat that $d(x,y)=\sqrt{|x-y|}$ in fact is a metric. (I am posting this answer mainly so that incorrect - or at least vague - information in the accepted answer is somewhat less prominent.)

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