# Dual space $X^*$ separates points of $X$

As I was reading Toplogical vector Spaces I came to a point where it was written that Dual space $X^*$ Separates points of $X$. But I am not sure whether it was mentioned in the earlier text what does Separates means in this case Although they have clarified a thing on Seminorm separating family but nothing in this regard.

Can anyone help me in this what does it really means. Thnx and regards

A family of functions $\{f_\alpha\}_{\alpha \in A}$ separates $X$ if for every $x, y \in X$, $x \ne y$ there exists $\alpha \in A$ such that $f_\alpha(x) \ne f_\alpha(y)$.

In particular, $X^*$ separates $X$ means that for every $x, y \in X$, $x \ne y$ there exists a bounded linear functional $f \in X^*$ such that $f(x) \ne f(y)$.

This is a consequence of the Hahn-Banach Theorem:

Let $M = \operatorname{span}\{x, y\} \le X$.

If $x$ and $y$ are linearly independent, then define a linear functional $f : M \to \mathbb{F}$ as $f(\alpha x + \beta y) = \alpha$, for all $\alpha, \beta \in \mathbb{F}$. We have $$f(x) = 1 \ne 0 = f(y)$$

Similarly, if $x$ and $y$ are linearly dependent, then WLOG assume $x \ne 0$ and $y = \lambda x$ for some $\lambda \notin\{0, 1\}$ and define $f(\alpha x) = \alpha$ for all $\alpha \in \mathbb{F}$. We have $$f(x) = 1 \ne \lambda = f(\lambda x) = f(y)$$

In any case, $f$ distinguishes between $x$ and $y$, and it's bounded because $M$ is finite-dimensional.

Now use the Hahn-Banach Theorem extend $f$ to a bounded linear functional $\hat{f} \in X^*$ which extends $f$. Since $f(x) \ne f(x)$, then also $\hat{f}(x) \ne \hat{f}(y)$.

Therefore, $\hat{f}$ separates $x$ and $y$.

It is a corollary of Hahn-Banach theorem:

Suppose $A$ and $B$ are disjoint, nonempty, convex subsets of a locally convex space $X$. If $A$ is compact and $B$ is closed, then there exists some $f\in X^*$, $\alpha_1\in \mathbb{R}$ and $\alpha_2\in \mathbb{R}$ such that $$\operatorname{Re} f(a)<\alpha_1< \alpha_2<\operatorname{Re}f(b)$$ for every $a\in A$ and $b\in B$.

Edit: Apply the above theorem to $A=\{x\}$ and $B=\{y\}$ with $x\neq y$, then there exists some $f\in X^*$ s.t. $\operatorname{Re}f(x)\neq \operatorname{Re}f(y)$, a fortiori, $f(x)\neq f(y)$.

• I know this corollary but It doesn't states the meaning of X* separating points of X . Dec 25, 2017 at 8:07
• Let $A=\{x\}$ and $B=\{y\}$($x\neq y$), then there exists some $f\in X^*$ s.t. $Re f(x)\neq Re f(y)$, a fotorio, $f(x)\neq f(y)$. Dec 25, 2017 at 8:12
• Ohk i get it now thanx @C.Ding Dec 25, 2017 at 8:14
• @C.Ding ... fotorio -> fortiori Dec 25, 2017 at 10:53